Whatsapp is Hacked !!! About Pegasus Spyware | How To Avoid It ?

Recently we all have come across a deadliest term called Pegasus spyware which affected various Whatsapp users globally. This Spyware can easily take over your device with just a missed call which you need not even answer.

In 2017 , Whatsapp has confirmed that there will be End to end encryption on all whatsapp users which means no Hackers , whistle blowers and even goverment officials could not even get your single piece of communication data.But the same Whatsapp has recently reported that an Israel based NSO group has used spyware to spy some of the whatsapp accounts globally.

How is this Pegasus spyware is deployed into your phone ?

Not only in your android device but also on your IOS device you can get this spyware deployed by just simply getting a missed call on unknown whatsapp number and then this spyware will gain access to your device.

Earlier this spyware was installed when users click malicious links.These links are specially programmed in a manner that the actual title of the link says it has some click baits but the background process is totally constructed in a manner to gain access of the victim's device.

What will happen if Pegasus spyware is deployed into your phone ? 


Once deployed, The spyware in your mobile acts as RAT (Remote Access Tool) which executes the commend from a remote server.. The comment can include tasks like stealing your passwords , Text Messages, Contacts, Calenders as well as voice calls. Not only that your phones Camera and microphone and GPS Location is also hacked.

How did this happen?

A Vulnerability in Whatsapp VOIP Stack (Which is used to make whatsapp audio and video call) has led to exploit the pegasus spywhere into your device.

Pegasus was not launched recently, It was at least around  three years and also it is said that it was used to target Indians as well.But earlier it used malicious link to gain access to the victim's mobile.

Recently, Whatsapp has sent a special Whatsapp message to approximately 1,400 users.

Who are the targets ?

As for now, The targets are Journalists, Activists, Human Rights Activists , Political Members, Goverment Officials etc.

Some of the Indian Victims are:-

1. Nihalsingh Rathod - human rights lawyer
2. Rupali Jadhav - Anti cast activists from Pune.
3. etc.

Source : https://thewire.in/tech/pegasus-spyware-bhima-koregaon-activists-warning-whatsapp

How to Know if our phone is being hacked ?

It is said that Pegasus Leaves no Digital Footprint and it is quite difficult to find if a device is being affected by this spyware but still some prevention and detections mechanism has been found.

Detection :

Use Lookout antivirus software to detect Pegasus spyware.

You can download the software in you android/IOS device from here:
https://www.lookout.com/products/personal

Manual for Lookout:
https://info.lookout.com/rs/051-ESQ-475/images/lookout-pegasus-how-to-tell-impacted.pdf


Prevention :

1. Update your whatsapp and other apps installed in your device now. Make sure your whatsapp is up-to-date and install it from your official playstore or  apple's app store.you should always update all the apps on your mobile.
2. Place sticker on you device camera (Front and Back). By sticking stickers on your devices you can protect your camera from unauthorized camera recording. 
3. Keep your chats neat and clean. Make sure your chats are legal and clean. Don't use inappropriate words in your conversation as it may trigger monitoring on you and the concern person. Note : Even deleted whatsapp messages can be recovered.
4. Avoid clicking on unwanted links. You may get some links which you might think they are coming from your subscription lists like your service provider but they might be some malicious links. Examples for those kind of links are links that say you have won prizes, lucky draw, free internet data etc.
5. Avoid unknown phone calls. Especially calls from international numbers or calls during unwanted time like mid-night, early morning.
6. Use proper antivirus and scan your devices periodically. There are good free antivirus in the markets like Avast, Malwarebytes , Bitdefender and so on. Check out this app for Android/IOS  Lookout app :  https://www.lookout.com/products/personal.
7. Use two seperate devices for personal and business use. Even though you have two different Sim cards on your same device, it is always better to use two different device especially one for Personal use and the other for business use. 
8. Never give your device to Strangers. According to a recent study an hacker can install malware or spyware from cloud (which they might have uploaded before) within 4-5 sec without your notice and the best part of it is you will not even realise that there is this software installed and running.

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