A software update was released by Apple to deal with “zero-click” malware that could affect iPhone and iPad devices.
According to independent investigators, a security loophole was exploited by infamous surveillance software to spy on a Saudi activist, according to cnn.com.
According to researchers from the Citizen Lab of the University of Toronto, the malware has been used to develop Pegasus, the spyware developed by the Israeli company NSO Group. The software is said to have been used to monitor journalists and human rights advocates in many countries.
The urgent update released by Apple on Monday closes a security loophole that allows hackers to access devices through the iMessage platform, even if users do not click on a link or file. The Saudi activist chose to remain anonymous, the Citizen Lab said.
“Attacks like these are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, are often short-lived, and are used to target specific individuals,” said Ivan Krstick, Apple’s head of Security Engineering and Architecture.
However, what comes from Apple is reassuring. The head of the company stated that the issue was quickly addressed with a software fix and that the vulnerability “is not a threat to the vast majority of our users”.
Whatever the recommendation to users is to update their devices to be protected.
The NSO Group said in a statement that it “will continue to provide life-saving technologies to fight terrorism and crime in intelligence and law enforcement services around the world.”
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