France: Spyware “Pegasus” found with journalists

Currently, the French media is being shaken up by a real data scandal. It has been suspected for a few days that a handful of local journalists have fallen victim to the notorious spyware called Pegasus. The fears, which were previously raised by only one agency, have now been confirmed by an independent body.

Information security authority finds out

As has now become known, the French Authority for Information Security (ANSSI) has now been able to confirm the rumors that have been circulating for several days about journalists being affected by spyware. In particular, the public agency was able to identify the spyware known as “Pegasus” on the smartphones of a total of three journalists, as the British Guardian now reported. According to the report, not only one journalist from the well-known TV station France 24 was affected by the spyware. The two other journalists work for the website “Mediapart”. This website is famous for its investigative articles. Because of the explosiveness, the public prosecutor’s office of the capital Paris is already working at full speed.

A typical pattern

Unfortunately, fighting the press with the help of spyware is becoming more and more popular for criminals. In particular, the Israeli developer called “NSO-Group” is increasingly making negative headlines. After all, this company specializes in the development of such spyware. This problem is by no means only a French one, but has long been a global one. Only recently, an association of globally active journalists revealed that many smartphones belonging to people working in the press had been accessed. But it is not only the journalists themselves who have been victimized. Family members have also been spied on.

Even human rights activists have recently been increasingly affected by such spyware. The name “Pegasus” comes up again and again. This software uses an extremely perfidious method of operation. It deliberately exploits security leaks on the infected smartphone. Once Pegasus has found a weak spot, it can easily access personal and sensitive data. In total, the spyware attack has been found to affect over 50,000 phone numbers and thus 50,000 devices.

NSO denies the allegations

Of course, the Israeli spyware manufacturer does not want to know anything about the allegations floating around. Accordingly, the company has also directly announced a general boycott of media. But why has the topic become so explosive now? This has not only to do with the fact that French journalists are affected. Even Emmanuel Macron (President of France) is said to have been found with his personal cell phone number in the data pool. The French portal “Mediapart”, which was affected, has meanwhile come out attacking. So Lénaïg Bredoux the smartphone was also attacked by spyware expressed itself as follows:

“This is the end of the thought that these are all lies and fake news. This is the proof we need.”