WhatsApp has reported that hackers have targeted nearly 90 individuals across two dozen countries using spyware, with the victims including journalists and civil society members.
The hacking tool responsible for these attacks is owned by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli firm that specializes in hacking software.
Paragon provides spyware to government clients, who utilize it under the pretext of combating crime and ensuring national security.
WhatsApp has confirmed that the devices of the affected users may have been compromised.
A representative from WhatsApp stated that an attempt to hack approximately 90 users had been detected.
What is particularly alarming is that Paragon’s spyware employs a “zero-click” exploit, which means that victims did not need to click on any harmful links to become infected. Experts have noted that a zero-click attack enables hackers to infiltrate a target’s device without any action required from the victim.
This type of attack underscores the increasing dangers posed by spyware and the potential for users to be targeted without their knowledge or involvement.
The WhatsApp representative indicated that users received malicious electronic documents that did not necessitate any interaction to compromise their devices, characterizing this zero-click hack as especially covert.
