Spyware
New WhatsApp lockdown feature protects high-risk users from hackers
Meta has started rolling out a new WhatsApp lockdown-style security feature designed to protect journalists, public figures, and other high-risk individuals from sophisticated threats, including spyware attacks. Known as “Strict Account Settings,” this new feature builds on already existing end-to-end encryption by adding extreme safeguards for users who require heightened protection beyond standard security measures. […]
Predator spyware uses new infection vector for zero-click attacks
The Predator spyware from surveillance company Intellexa has been using a zero-click infection mechanism dubbed “Aladdin,” which compromised specific targets by simply viewing a malicious advertisement. This powerful and previously unknown infection vector is meticulously hidden behind shell companies spread across multiple countries, now uncovered in a new joint investigation by Inside Story, Haaretz, and WAV Research Collective. […]
ShadyPanda browser extensions amass 4.3M installs in malicious campaign
A long-running malware operation known as “ShadyPanda” has amassed over 4.3 million installations of seemingly legitimate Chrome and Edge browser extensions that evolved into malware. The operation, discovered by Koi Security, unfolded in distinct phases that gradually introduced additional malicious functionality, turning the browser extension from a legitimate tool into spyware. The ShadyPanda campaign consists […]
Google to flag Android apps with excessive battery use on the Play Store
Google will start taking action on Android apps in the official Google Play store that have high background activity and cause excessive battery draining. Apps that exceed a “bad behavior threshold” may be flagged on Google Play for negatively impacting battery performance and may affect their visibility in the Android ecosystem. Developers have until March 1, 2026, […]
New LandFall spyware exploited Samsung zero-day via WhatsApp messages
A threat actor exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Samsung’s Android image processing library to deploy a previously unknown spyware called ‘LandFall’ using malicious images sent over WhatsApp. The security issue was patched this year in April, but researchers found evidence that the LandFall operation was active since at least July 2024, and targeted select Samsung Galaxy […]
Italian spyware vendor linked to Chrome zero-day attacks
A zero-day vulnerability in Google Chrome, exploited in Operation ForumTroll earlier this year, delivered malware linked to Italian spyware vendor Memento Labs, born after IntheCyber Group acquired the infamous Hacking Team. Operation ForumTroll was uncovered by Kaspersky in March. The campaign targeted Russian organizations – media outlets, universities, research centers, government organizations, and financial institutions, with well-crafted invitations […]
New Android spyware ClayRat imitates WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube
A new Android spyware called ClayRat is luring potential victims by posing as popular apps and services like WhatsApp, Google Photos, TikTok, and YouTube. The malware is targeting Russian users through Telegram channels and malicious websites that appear legitimate. It can steal SMS meessages call logs, notifications, take pictures, and even make phone calls. Malware researchers […]
Android spyware campaigns impersonate Signal and ToTok messengers
Two new spyware campaigns that researchers call ProSpy and ToSpy lured Android users with fake upgrades or plugins for the Signal and ToTok messaging apps to steal sensitive data. To give the malicious files a sense of legitimacy, the threat actor distributed them through websites that impersonated the two communication platforms. Signal is a popular […]
Apple warns customers targeted in recent spyware attacks
Apple warned customers last week that their devices were targeted in a new series of spyware attacks, according to the French national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-FR). CERT-FR is operated by ANSSI, the National Cybersecurity Agency, and is responsible for preventing and mitigating cybersecurity-related incidents impacting public and critical organizations. According to a Thursday advisory, […]
New Android malware poses as antivirus from Russian intelligence agency
A new Android malware posing as an antivirus tool software created by Russia’s Federal Security Services agency (FSB) is being used to target executives of Russian businesses. In a new report from Russian mobile security firm Dr. Web, researchers track the new spyware as ‘Android.Backdoor.916.origin,’ finding no links to known malware families. Among its various […]