What is Pegasus Spyware in India? Current Affairs from UPSC Perspective

In 2019, Whatsapp accused the government of India of using Pegasus software to hack the phones of journalists, politicians and activists. However, it didn’t reveal any names. However, in July 2021, it again came into the spotlight, when Paris-based media NPO and Amenity International published a list of Indians surveillance by the government.

In this article, we will explore the meaning of Pegasus Spyware, steps to protect yourself and recent news.

Spyware: Infiltrating Security

Spyware is unwanted software that infiltrates your device and steals your data and other sensitive information. It collects information and sells it for advertising, firms and someone else.

There are four types of spyware:

# Adware

# Trojan

# Tracking cookies

# System monitors

Spyware infects your device by accepting a prompt or pop-up, downloading any software, opening unknown emails, or downloading pirated movies, music, etc.

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Pegasus Spyware: UPSC Notes

Pegasus is spyware software created by an Israeli-based cyber intelligence firm, NSO group. It aims to hack computers and other devices, collect sensitive information, and send it to a third party.

This software first came into the limelight in 2016, when Arabs received a link stating secrets of torture in prison in the UAE. He sent that link to Citizen lab and found out that it was malicious spyware.

A year later this malware started infiltrating several other android devices. In 2018, the Citizen Lab published a report that announced that more than 45 countries are using Pegasus.

Later in 2019, Whatsapp revealed that the government of India is using Pegasus spyware to spy over journalists, politicians and activists over Whatsapp.

This program is sold to government agencies to fight against terrorism and criminal activities.

NSO Group: Pegasus Software Builder

NSO group Technologies develops Pegasus spyware. NSO stands for Niv, Shalev and Omri and is an Israeli technology company. It is a subsidiary company of Q Cyber Technologies.

NSO only sells its spyware to the government and law enforcing bodies. It acknowledged that the software is being misused and is taking steps to reduce human rights abuses.

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How Does Pegasus Spyware Work?

Pegasus infiltrates devices through software loopholes and security bugs. This app helps the user to gain access to the camera, location, device information, microphones, messages, etc.

Link

# A malicious link is sent to the target. This type of attack is known as spear phishing.

# When the users click on it, Pegasus spyware is downloaded to his/ their phone.

# And no sooner it collects all data, Wi-Fi passwords, messages of various social media apps, and other sensitive data.

Voice Calls

# This app is also downloaded via voice calls through various apps like Whatsapp.

# Even if the person does not pick up the call it will be downloaded.

Which Apps Pegasus Software Affects?

Lets us take a brief look at which apps do Pegasus software attacks and corrupt:

# Photos and gallery

# Microphones

# Emails

# SMS

# Location

# Network details

# Device settings

# Browser history

# Contact

# Social Networks

# Phone records

# Calendar

# Files

# Messages

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How to Detect Pegasus Spyware?

Pegasus spyware is almost impossible to detect by any software. It is sophisticated spyware that includes some anti-forensic and self-destructs features that makes it impossible to detect.

The phone even does not show any signs of malware attack.

However, Amnesty International, a technology company that participated in the Pegasus project developed a mobile verification toolkit. This toolkit is used to detect traces of Pegasus on the device.

This toolkit works on the command line and requires a basic command over coding. To start research you need to feed in Amnesty IOCs over the GitHub page.

The toolkit will scan the device and look if any information is exported from the same.

How to Safeguard Your Device from Pegasus Spyware?

It is nearly impossible to remove Pegasus spyware even by resetting your phone.

According to experts, you should discard your phone completely. In addition, in the new phone download the latest version of apps.

Whatsapp, Facebook, etc have filled the security hole and therefore it is advised to download and update your phones regularly.

Essential Tips for Digital Security

#1. Updates: Updates are important to protect your phone or laptop system.  Developers of Apps and devices are constantly working to fill all security gaps and loopholes.

#2. Password generator: You can use this to generate hard and encrypted passwords.

#3. Two-factor authentication: You can use this to encrypt your data from end to end.

#4. VPN: VPN can help to hide from government surveillance. It acts as a tunnel between you and your destination. Moreover, it swipes your IP Address with other IP addresses of remote location devices.

#5. Apps: Only download apps from official app stores.

#6. Malicious links: Don’t click on unknown links, email attachments or SMS as they can be malicious.

Whatsapp Snooping: 2019 Issue

In 2019, Whatsapp accused the Indian government was snooping over several Academics, Lawyers, Journalists, Dalit activists, etc. This was during the 2019 general elections.

However, Whatsapp did not reveal the names and numbers of the users whose phones were infiltrated.

Latest News of Pegasus Spyware: UPSC Current Affairs

A Paris-based media NPO and Amenity International published thousands of phone numbers in the target of this spyware. Congress party accused ruling government BJP of committing treason and compromising the privacy of Indian citizens. Around 1,000 mobiles were targeted by the government.

These numbers were of politicians, journalists, businesspersons and all other prominent government critics.

Opponents immediately demanded an investigation of the prime minister and home minister. Though the government has not accepted these allegations so far.

Pegasus Software: List of People in Target

# Rahul Gandhi

# Ashwini Vaishnav

# Prahlad Singh Patel

# Ashok Lavasa, the former election commissioner of India

# Woman and her family who accused former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi for rape.

# Vijaita Singh

#  Ritika Chopra

# Paranjoy Guha Thakurta

And many other journalists, politicians, etc.

Relevance of Pegasus Spyware in UPSC Perspective

Pegasus spyware is a relevant topic in UPSC perspective in the following ways:

# GS Paper III

# GS Paper II

# Cyber Security

# Cyber Warfare

# Challenges to Internal Security

# Current Affairs

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Conclusion

Snooping and invading someone’s privacy is a crime no matter who does it. Therefore, it is very important to conduct an investigation and then take strict action. It is an unconstitutional act and invades the rights and freedoms of people.

Moreover, this also shows the weakness of our cybersecurity. This is dangerous for our National security and integrity therefore policies should be adopted to improve it.

For more such information and updates, visit UPSC Pathshala. This website is the solution to all your doubts and provides the best help for your UPSC preparation.