Security News > 2021 > July > Your iPhone and the Pegasus spyware hack: What you need to know
iPhones have been compromised by the NSO Group's Pegasus spyware.
The findings indicated that the Pegasus spyware program sold by surveillance company NSO Group was able to infect iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models through zero-click attacks in the iOS iMessage app.
Based on a data leak of more than 50,000 phone numbers, Amnesty's Security Lab analyzed 67 smartphones and found Pegasus infections or attempted infections on 37 of them, according to The Washington Post.
In contrast to iOS, Google's Android operating system doesn't retain the usable logs needed to detect the Pegasus spyware infection.
"Apple unequivocally condemns cyberattacks against journalists, human rights activists and others seeking to make the world a better place. For over a decade, Apple has led the industry in security innovation and, as a result, security researchers agree iPhone is the safest, most secure consumer mobile device on the market. Attacks like the ones described are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life, and are used to target specific individuals. While that means they are not a threat to the overwhelming majority of our users, we continue to work tirelessly to defend all our customers, and we are constantly adding new protections for their devices and data."
Security specialist at Comparitech, believes that NSO Group does its best to control the deployment of its Pegasus software, adding that there will always be consumers who want to change the purpose of the product for their own ends.