As I live in India there is a news covered on almost every news channel and website I did some digging myself and find out it the Pegasus spyware attacking Politicians and Govt Officials[any department.]. And same thing happening around the world
First of all the spyware is not really new If you google it yourself you find out its made by Israeli company in 2016. I really don't wanna go deep inside it like how it made, why does it made etc but I'll help you just click on HERE and you'll get all the basic information regarding the spyware.
Well being a spyware you really can't do anything. because a spyware is designed to be not detected but it not really good to exactly think like that.
All you can do right now is taking precaution like don't click on unknown link or don't install any third party application
This spyware specifically targets mobile OS that is Android and iOS. Its really shocking. Right? I mean how can iOS can be infected with the spyware or anything. Many people think that but remember if it is not in news doesn't mean that iOS can't be infected with virus or spyware. It's also a software and honestly any OS like Android, iOS, Windows[You already know], Linux Distributions such as kali, ubuntu, parrot etc. all these software's are hackable and can be infected by virus or spywares.
Is there any possible permanent Fix YET ?
Well No, there is no fix yet. But I hope companies already start finding fix to this spyware so in near future you probably get the fix via Next OTA update.
Why Should we care ?
Well honestly you shouldn't care IF
1. Your account get hacked you'll just blame police, India being under developed country or any other reason
2. Your private data leaked from your phone but why you care as your phone is empty you have never clicked any picture of you family members, friends, you'll get the idea right.
3. Your location is constantly tracked it may lead to murder, robbery or even worst
There are many points I can write down but I hope you'll get the idea why should you care if by any chance you don't understand just google it or comment below what you don't understand and I'll give you answer .
What you seriously do to be safe ?
As the spyware is really good and targets specifically whatsapp and telegram so if you don't really use any one of them just uninstall it. Apart from this just don't click on any link which you think that it's a fake[ Mostly fake link claim which possibly not possible like you win lottary or earn money Rs10,000 just by clicking the link or you received Rs 50,000 in your paytm wallet/bank or google pay account click to claim. Just read this line again from here "I shouldn't click on the link"].
For some time don't use any banking application on your phone for some time atleast until the fix is released for this spyware
Why this spyware ?
Well to be honest you are the people are the reason. Well there is reason and a strategy behind it actually. Your data [choices, likes/dislikes etc.] enable many companies to get rich that include Google, Facebook, Instagram etc. After the Apple iOS launch feature to stop application to track users activity[Basically user see less or no advertisements] a months back in iOS update 14.5 and now Google also planning to do the same with android 12[According to rumors]. These update basically cut the revenue from advertisements. Full details HERE. There is a rumor that this spyware is secretly purchased by Facebook to track user and again showing advertisements to earn profit.
How to identify if the phone is already infected ?
Well look for possible symptoms like
- Slow performance than before
- The battery didn't stay for long as before
- Look for any unfamiliar application and uninstalled it immediately.
In India PUBG[Tencent version], Tik Tok and other applications are banned but many people still use it by some trick, I recommend uninstalled them immediately
Being a application it has to use mobile resources to run so only that time you can notice some suspicious behavior of your phone. You'll definitely notice strange behavior of your phone if your phone is already infected and as soon as you find out try to format for phone [if possible] or just disconnect the device from any network[including internet].
How this spyware work[based on information present on internet] ?
This spyware is work in two way like as you know that all communications are designed to send and receive data and this spyware target this process so a hacker[attacker] send this spyware as a message, link, image or any thing to target or targets and also being communication two way so the attacker get data from your phone so most possible way to stop this spyware from working is to disconnect the device from internet and turned it on only in need but for some possible is not possible so all they do is look for possible activity on their phone.
If I leaving any important do comment that to get all information and that all for today. Have a nice day to you all. Be Safe