Recent findings by cybersecurity researchers at iVerify have uncovered alarming new instances of Pegasus spyware infecting mobile devices. Originally developed by the Israeli NSO Group, Pegasus has long been associated with targeting high-profile individuals, including journalists, activists, and government officials. However, iVerify’s investigation revealed a broader scope of its reach, now affecting everyday professionals and civilians. Their findings were based on 2,500 self-scanned devices, which showed an infection rate of 2.5 per 1,000 scans, significantly higher than previously anticipated.
The research also revealed that these infections were not isolated but spanned multiple iOS versions dating back to 2021. The detection of Pegasus in devices of ordinary users challenges the long-held belief that such advanced spyware was limited to high-risk targets. “We’re uncovering threats that have been hiding in plain sight, undetected by traditional security measures,” said an iVerify spokesperson. This indicates that the extent of the threat may be far greater than initially believed, as many individuals may be unaware of the spyware’s presence on their devices.
Pegasus is a sophisticated piece of spyware capable of complete control over infected devices. Its zero-click attack capabilities make it especially dangerous, allowing it to infiltrate mobile devices without any user interaction. iVerify’s research also uncovered five different types of malware across both iOS and Android platforms, further demonstrating the complexity of the threat. The spyware uses a variety of system vulnerabilities to maintain access and remain undetected, which highlights a serious gap in current mobile security practices.
As mobile security continues to evolve, iVerify’s findings underscore the importance of more robust and proactive security measures. Traditional mobile security defenses have been insufficient to detect such advanced threats, and iVerify’s research aims to fill this gap by providing users with better tools for threat detection. With the threat landscape becoming more complex and dangerous, users must remain vigilant and adopt advanced security practices to protect themselves from sophisticated spyware like Pegasus. In the coming weeks, iVerify plans to release a detailed technical analysis to further educate users and the security community about this ongoing risk.
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