iVerify Detects Pegasus Spyware Targeting Business Leader

Security firm iVerify discovered Pegasus spyware on the iPhones of several individuals, including a prominent business leader. This raises concerns about commercial espionage, as such spyware is typically used by governments.

iVerify CEO Rocky Cole declined to name the targeted individual or company but confirmed it's a recognizable business. The affected leader was reportedly "completely surprised" by the attack. Read more about recent ransomware attacks.

iVerify's app detected evidence of compromise on seven iPhones, some running newer iOS versions. These were identified from a pool of 2,500 iVerify users who opted for spyware scans. This number isn't representative of the general population due to the app's user base being at higher risk.

Spyware Exploits on the Rise

Publicly confirmed spyware attacks on business leaders are rare. One notable case involved Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, whose phone was hacked, potentially with Pegasus. Learn about a new app to detect Pegasus spyware.

The increasing proliferation of spyware makes its misuse harder to control. Google previously warned about Russian hackers using exploits similar to NSO Group's code. iVerify also observes the reuse of spyware exploits by government-backed hackers from countries like China, Iran, and Russia. Explore macOS security threats in 2024.

iVerify is investigating whether a Chinese hacking group, Salt Typhoon, used its access to telecom networks to target individuals with spyware, including potentially senior officials at the Harris-Walz presidential campaign.