WhatsApp spyware: attack on around 90 journalists and other people
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According to media reports, the smartphones of around 90 journalists and other people have been infected with spyware via WhatsApp.
As reported by several US media outlets, the attack was carried out via the WhatsApp messenger belonging to the Meta Group. According to the reports, WhatsApp is linked to the Israeli software company Paragon, which was acquired by the US private equity firm AE Industrial Partners last December. WhatsApp states that it has recognized the attack and has since stopped it.
The encryption of the chat app was apparently not compromised. Instead, malware-laced PDF files that were sent to group chats are said to have been used in the attack. These infected the users' smartphones without any action on their part.
It is therefore possible that not only chat messages from WhatsApp but also those from other messengers and other personal data of those affected were compromised. According to WhatsApp, it has informed the affected users and taken legal action against Paragon.
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This article was originally published in German [6]. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
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