How Pegasus spyware works

Pegasus is a type of spyware that is designed to track and monitor the activities of mobile devices. It is installed on the device by exploiting known security vulnerabilities in the platform or by tricking the user into installing it. Once installed, Pegasus can track the location of the device, record the calls and messages made and received, and access the contents of the device’s storage. It can also be used to remotely control the device, allowing the attacker to access all its features and data.

Pegasus was first discovered in 2016 when researchers from the Israeli firm Lookout discovered it being used to spy on a number of high-profile individuals, including journalists and human rights activists. It is believed that the spyware was developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, which is a cyberweapons and essentially a spyware manufacturer. It works by exploiting known security vulnerabilities in the mobile platforms of its targets in order to install it surreptitiously.

Since its discovery, Pegasus has been used to spy on a number of other high-profile individuals, including lawyers, scientists, and opposition politicians. It is believed that the spyware is sold to governments and law enforcement agencies as a tool for tracking and monitoring the activities of criminals and terrorists. However, its use has also been criticised for its potential to be abused by repressive governments to spy on their political opponents. Some of its known users include Kazakhstan and US, where it was used by FBI to spy on several phones of suspects in ongoing investigations.

This Israeli spyware uses a number of known security vulnerabilities in mobile platforms to install it surreptitiously.

It can track the location of the device, record the calls and messages made and received, and access the contents of the device’s storage.

It can also be used to remotely control the device, allowing the attacker to access all its features and data. FBI has dissociated themselves from this Israeli firm and Pegasus use in early 2022 but unconfirmed rumours indicate that this is still used to spy on US citizens inside the US.