Hybrid War: Israeli spyware target Pakistani officials

Israeli Spyware Company NSO Group allegedly targeted the cellphones of at least two dozen Pakistani officials this year.

According to report published on British daily newspaper Guardian, senior defense and intelligence officials have been targeted by the Israel Spyware Company.

The report further stated that the attackers took advantage of vulnerability in the WhatsApp messaging service’s software that allowed them to access messages and data on phones.

The parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook had filed a complaint against Israeli spyware company NSO group in October. The breach was first exposed in May, 2019, according to the Guardian.

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Pakistani officials have not made any comment on the suspected breach. However, according to sources the Pakistani government is trying to develop a local messaging application to protect its official data from hackers.

Earlier in November, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s focal person on digital media Dr. Arslan Khalid said that the authorities were trying to improve cyber security by developing a WhatsApp-like application for government officials.

“This local application will help us protect sensitive government data and other classified information from hostile spy agencies and hackers,” he further added.