The latest findings from iVerify’s Mobile Threat Hunting tool have unveiled a startling increase in Pegasus spyware infections on iOS devices. Notably, these infections aren’t confined to the usual suspects like journalists and activists, but extend to business leaders and government officials, indicating that the infamous surveillance tool’s net might be wider than previously suspected.
Earlier this year, iVerify introduced its Mobile Threat Hunting feature, which revealed some unsettling insights about Pegasus spyware across various iOS versions. Out of 2,500 self-scanned devices, the tool identified seven infections, suggesting that roughly 2.5 devices per 1,000 were compromised.
The affected devices spanned multiple iOS versions and different timelines, with the most recent infection found on iOS 16.6 in late 2023. Another device affected in November 2022 was running iOS 15, and five other infections were on devices using iOS 14 and 15, dating between 2021 and 2022.
Rocky Cole, the COO of iVerify, highlighted that this development defies previous beliefs about Pegasus’s targets, which were primarily thought to include journalists and political figures alone. With its capability to fully commandeer a device—accessing messages, emails, photos, and call logs, and launching zero-click attacks—Pegasus emerges as a formidable tool in the realm of digital espionage.
Although the sample size of 2,500 is relatively small and skewed towards security-savvy users, the infection rate is considerably higher than past records, shedding light on the expansive nature of these attacks. This brings a new understanding of how far-reaching the threat has become, akin to the sophisticated campaigns usually associated with advanced persistent threats.
This situation raises an urgent call for enhanced security measures and vigilance, especially for individuals in significant positions across various sectors. As mobile security continues to grapple with these evolving threats, the importance of maintaining updated protections becomes ever more critical.
