How You Can Keep Your Phone Safe From Spyware?

Sophisticated spyware has landed on iPhones. The phones were hacked using a so-called “zero-click” iMessage exploit, where hackers can gain control over a device without human interaction. According to an investigation by Amnesty International, which said the spyware was developed by Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group. The investigation was done in coordination with Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based media non-profit.

“Apple prides itself on its security and privacy features, but NSO Group has ripped these apart,” Amnesty International said in a statement. “NSO Group can no longer hide behind the claim that its spyware is only used to fight crime.” The attacks exposed journalists and politicians who risk having their location and their personal information monitored and possibly used against them, the human rights group said. A successful zero-click attack was observed on a fully patched iPhone 12 running iOS 14.6 in July 2021, according to the report.

“Apple unequivocally condemns cyberattacks against journalists, human rights activists, and others seeking to make the world a better place,” Ivan Krstić, head of Apple security engineering and architecture, told FOX Business in a statement.

“Attacks like the ones described are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life, and are used to target specific individuals,” Krstić said. “While that means they are not a threat to the overwhelming majority of our users, we continue to work tirelessly to defend all our customers, and we are constantly adding new protections for their devices and data.” The NSO Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Spyware surreptitiously gathers information about you, such as internet usage data, and then sends it to another party. The most malicious spyware will install software that changes the settings on your phone and steals usernames and passwords.