What Is Pegasus Spyware And How to Protect Yourself From It

What is Pegasus spyware?

Pegasus is spyware designed to infiltrate smartphones to monitor activity and steal personal information. While malware of this type isn’t new, Pegasus is a particularly effective breed because it's easy to install, difficult to detect Pegasus spyware, and grants access to all the data on a device. Investigators have linked the spyware, which is primarily associated with mobile phone surveillance, to multiple security breaches, many involving journalists. Some articles refer to a Pegasus spyware scam—phishing messages or fake “security” pages that exploit fear of Pegasus—so treat unexpected links and urgent update prompts with caution.

Recently, research group The Citizen Lab discovered an exploit in multiple operating systems, including iOS, macOS, and watchOS, that could leave a device vulnerable to a Pegasus infection. Fortunately, Apple was quick to patch these issues with security updates. For stronger protection, install patches immediately and review your security settings right after updating.

Pegasus spyware boasts several standout features. The software is:

• Simple to install
• Difficult to detect
• Super effective
• Tough to remove

When it comes to Pegasus, you’re dealing with a high-level piece of spyware, and that’s nothing to scoff at. The program was designed for government use, which means its quality and functionality are as good as they get. If anything feels off, run a spyware scan and keep a brief incident report with timestamps and screenshots.

You can protect yourself from Pegasus using dedicated cybersecurity software—and that’s where Clario Anti Spy comes in.

Clario Anti Spy offers a range of features that protect your devices, your personal data, and your privacy. Use Anti-spy setup to safeguard your device against prying eyes, check whether your online accounts are accessible to spies using the Data breach monitor, and get 24/7 assistance when you need anti-spy help.

Here’s how to use Clario Anti Spy’s Anti-spy setup:

1. Launch Clario Anti Spy and locate the Anti-spy setup section.
2. Press Set up and follow the instructions to make your device as secure as possible against spies.

What is the NSO group?

NSO Group is a cybersecurity firm based in Israel. The company specializes in cyber intelligence and assists governments to mitigate threats and maintain public safety. NSO Group is the firm responsible for producing the Pegasus spyware, the development of which is the organization’s primary claim to fame.

The firm allegedly had a contract with former Panama president Ricardo Martinella. Martinella faced accusations of surveilling his political opponents, and the Pegasus spyware allegedly provided by NSO Group may have been involved in those operations. Evidently, the organization is more than a typical cybersecurity firm. NSO Group possess tools capable of retrieving classified information, influencing elections, and shaping the world.

Who does Pegasus target?

The Citizen Lab has identified widespread usage that spans continents. An investigation revealed that Pegasus surveillance operations may be taking place in at least 45 countries, including Mexico, United States, United Kingdom, France, and Canada, with some nations having a higher number of infections than others. The spyware has affected a variety of targets, including lawyers, journalists, human rights advocates, and politicians. We can’t be certain how many malicious operators are linked to government intelligence programs and how many are rogue agents.

Therefore, anyone could be a target. You may not be someone worthy of government-sponsored phone hacking, but, traditionally, spyware affects everyone. While most people infected by the Pegasus surveillance software have been high-value targets, once a tool like this is out in the wild, anyone can utilize it for malicious purposes. This software can be used to steal your identity and track your every move.

How does Pegasus get on your phone?

As with any malware, a malicious operator must first get the Pegasus program onto a target device. While someone could install the software physically — using a fake charging cable or by bypassing your passcode — or with a wireless transceiver, the developers at NSO group designed the spyware to be more versatile than that. The ease with which Pegasus can infect a device is alarming. Understanding how Pegasus works is the first step to defending against it.

WhatsApp zero-click exploit

Malicious operators used a WhatsApp exploit to install Pegasus spyware on target devices. The vulnerability is disturbing because, as the name suggests, the infection can occur without you clicking a single thing.

In the case of the WhatsApp hack, operators were able to call a target’s phone and send infected data through to the device even if no one answered. Therefore, through no fault of your own, you could become the victim of a sophisticated spyware attack. WhatsApp has since fixed the vulnerability with a patch released on May 13, 2019.

Apple Messages zero-click exploit

Apple devices were vulnerable to a similar zero-click exploit until a security update patched the issue on September 13, 2021. iOS 14.8, iPadOS 14.8, watchOS 7.6.2, and macOS 11.6 contain the fix so if you haven’t installed the latest updates, now’s a good time to do so.

In the case of the Messages exploit, operators could send an infected PDF through Apple’s built-in messaging app and infect the device with Pegasus spyware. The vulnerability affected multiple Apple operating systems, including iOS and macOS.

How to tell if your phone's been infected with Pegasus

To identify a compromised phone, you can search for the telltale signs of a mobile malware infection, which include:

• Device overheating
• Battery draining quicker than expected
• Device performing poorly
• Inexplicable increase in data usage

For a deeper check, Amnesty International has developed the Mobile Verification Toolkit (MVT). This tool helps analyze iOS or Android devices for traces of Pegasus spyware. You can download it directly from the official GitHub page, though it’s designed mainly for forensic researchers rather than casual users.

How to protect against Pegasus spyware?

While Apple and WhatsApp have fixed the two biggest zero-click exploits, you’re still vulnerable to infection through other means. Malicious operators can install malware with physical access to a device, wirelessly, or with infected files sent through email or a web browser. Additionally, more zero-click exploits could exist, and you should do everything in your power to protect yourself from an attack.

General recommendations

Prevention is better than the cure, and several tips can help protect you from Pegasus and other malware attacks:

• Always keep software up to date
• Never open email attachments from unknown sources
• Avoid disreputable websites
• Never click suspicious links
• Block pop-up windows whenever possible
• Avoid jailbreaking devices
• Install security software

The right tools and understanding will put you in a good position to protect yourself and avoid a malware infection. An antivirus solution is a key defense against threats like Pegasus and ransomware. Using the right software can help you stop the threat and delete malicious files.

Are you protected from Pegasus and other spyware?

Malware is always evolving, and keeping up with the latest trends can be a burden. You can, however, make life easier by utilizing the right tools. Use Clario Anti Spy to avoid spyware threats like Pegasus, securing your phone using Anti-spy setup and getting you data breach alerts before it’s too late.