20 YearsWhat is Pegasus and Who is the manufacturer of the Pegasus spyware? How can Protectstar protect me?
Pegasus is a sophisticated spyware developed by the Israeli company NSO Group, originally intended to help governments combat terrorism and crime. NSO Group sells this software exclusively to specific countries and has a list of 50 nations, including China and Russia, to which it does not sell. However, it does sell Pegasus to countries like Saudi Arabia. While NSO Group claims that Pegasus is used only to fight crime and terrorism, some have raised concerns about potential misuse.
Pegasus is a powerful, modular spyware that works on both iOS and Android devices. The first version for iOS was discovered in 2016, followed by an Android version.
How Pegasus Infects Devices
Typically, Pegasus infects a device when a user clicks a link in a message, unknowingly allowing the spyware to install itself. Pegasus also uses “zero-day” vulnerabilities, which are flaws in the system unknown to the manufacturer and therefore unpatched. This means that once such vulnerabilities are discovered, they can be exploited before developers have a chance to secure the system.
What Pegasus Can Do
Pegasus is designed to target individuals of particular interest, making it unlikely to affect the average user. However, if a device is infected, Pegasus can:
- Read SMS messages and emails
- Listen to calls
- Take screenshots
- Record keystrokes
- Access contacts and browsing history
The spyware’s capabilities are extensive, and it can even exploit zero-day vulnerabilities to infiltrate devices undetected.
Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: A Lucrative Market
Zero-day vulnerabilities, like those exploited by Pegasus, are highly valuable in the cybersecurity world. In 2019, for example, some Android vulnerabilities fetched up to $2.5 million on the darknet, surpassing iOS vulnerabilities for the first time. These vulnerabilities are bought and sold by various groups, including cybercriminals.
How Protectstar Can Help
Protectstar’s Android apps, such as Anti Spy PRO, Antivirus AI PRO, and Firewall AI PRO, are equipped to detect Pegasus infections on Android devices, providing a layer of defense against this spyware.
For more insights, you can explore:
https://edwardsnowden.substack.com/p/ns-oh-god-how-is-this-legal
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/07/the-pegasus-project/