Paragon spyware campaign targeting journalists disrupted by WhatsApp
Posted by:
John Harrison
WhatsApp has revealed that it disrupted a spyware hacking campaign targeting journalists and members of civil society, with about 90 users being targeted by Paragon, a spyware company founded by ex-Israeli intelligence officers. The victims were being targeted with malicious PDF files in a ‘zero-click’ deployment method. WhatsApp has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon in response to the campaign, which was discovered in December 2024. The spyware company Paragon previously had a contract with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This incident raises concerns about unlawful actions by spyware companies. Other similar companies, like NSO Group, have faced investigations for deploying spyware for illegal purposes. WhatsApp’s proactive stance on protecting user privacy and advocating for transparency in addressing spyware threats has been noted by cybersecurity experts. It is recommended that individuals take preventive security measures to safeguard their devices against potential compromises.
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