Explorer

Beware! This Italian Spyware Is Hacking Apple iPhones And Android Smartphones

Google has identified spyware and hacking tools owned by an Italian vendor that was used to spy on Apple iPhones and Android smartphones.

Google has identified spyware and hacking tools owned by an Italian vendor that was used to spy on Apple iPhones and Android smartphones. In a report shared on June 23, the search engine giant said it has been tracking the activities of commercial spyware vendors for years. The Italian company identified by Google is RCS Labs, which uses a combination of tactics, including atypical drive-by downloads as initial infection vectors, to target mobile users on both iOS and Android operating systems. The identified victims were located in Italy and Kazakhstan.

"Seven of the nine zero-day vulnerabilities our Threat Analysis Group discovered in 2021 fall into this category: developed by commercial providers and sold to and used by government-backed actors. TAG is actively tracking more than 30 vendors with varying levels of sophistication and public exposure selling exploits or surveillance capabilities to government-backed actors," Benoit Sevens and Clement Lecigne, Threat Analysis Group, Google, wrote in a blog post.

"These vendors are enabling the proliferation of dangerous hacking tools and arming governments that would not be able to develop these capabilities in-house. While use of surveillance technologies may be legal under national or international laws, they are often found to be used by governments for purposes antithetical to democratic values: targeting dissidents, journalists, human rights workers and opposition party politicians," Sevens and Lecigne added.

The company noted that once it discovers these activities, it not only takes steps to protect users, but also discloses that information publicly to raise awareness and help the entire ecosystem, in line with its commitment to openness.

Meanwhile, an Apple spokesperson was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters that the company has revoked all known accounts and certificates involved in the hacking campaign.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

'State Has Vital Interest To Regulate Madrasas': Supreme Court Upholds UP Madrasa Education Act
'State Has Vital Interest To Regulate Madrasas': Supreme Court Upholds UP Madrasa Education Act
Wikipedia Put On Notice By Govt Over Bias, Inaccuracies: Here's What We Know So Far
Wikipedia Put On Notice By Govt Over Bias, Inaccuracies: Here's What We Know So Far
'Very Upsetting': Australian Foreign Minister Condemns Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada
'Very Upsetting': Australian Foreign Minister Condemns Attack On Hindu Temple In Canada
Canadian Cop Suspended After Viral Video Shows Him Attending Khalistani Protest Outside Hindu Temple
Canadian Cop Suspended After Viral Video Shows Him Attending Khalistani Protest Outside Hindu Temple
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Almora Bus Accident: Bus Carrying 42 Plunges Into Ravine in Uttarakhand | ABP NewsBreaking News: Poster Wars Heat Up in Lucknow Ahead of UP By-Elections | ABP NewsManoj Jarange Makes Bold Declaration Ahead of Maharashtra Elections 2024UP News: Political Resolution Looms for UP's 69,000 Teacher Recruitment Saga Ahead of By-Elections

Photo Gallery

Embed widget