Google warns about Apple and Android phones hacked by Italian spyware

Hacking tools from an Italy-based company were used to spy on smartphones with the systems of Manzana and Android in Italy and Kazakhstan, Google reported Thursday.

Google’s threat analysis team indicated that spyware created by the firm RCS Lab targeted phones using a combination of tactics including “hidden downloads” unusual events that occur without the victims realizing it.

Concerns about spyware were fueled by news outlets reporting last year thatSome governments used the Pegasus programs of the Israeli company NSO to monitor opponents, activists and journalists.

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“They claim they only sell to customers with legitimate use of surveillance software, such as law enforcement and intelligence agencies,” Lookout, a specialist in mobile cybersecurity, said of companies like NSO and RCS.

“In reality, such tools have often been abused under the guise of national security to spy on business executives, human rights activists, journalists, academics, and government officials,” he added.

Lookout researchers claimed that in April they found that Hermit was being used by the Kazakh government within its borders to spy on smartphones, just months after anti-government protests in that country were suppressed.

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“Like many spyware vendors, not much is known about RCS Lab and its clientele. But according to the information we have, it has a considerable international presence,” added Lookout.

Evidence suggests “Hermit” was used in a predominantly Kurdish region of Syria, the mobile security company said.

Source: Elcomercio

James

I have worked as a journalist for over 10 years and have written for various news outlets. I currently work as an author at 24 News Recorder, mostly covering entertainment news. I have a keen interest in the industry and enjoy writing about the latest news and gossip. I am also a member of the National Association of Journalists.