Dr. Matiur Rahman
The invention of the computer and the Internet has changed the world dramatically. It is said that the fourth industrial revolution started with computer and internet. Information from all over the world is now at hand through the internet. After being connected to the computer, the internet is now being widely used in mobile phones as well.
Especially in Apple and Android based smart mobile phones, its use has increased manifold for different needs. In today’s world information is the most powerful tool through which any business-trade, government management, development program planning etc. is adopted. Experts say that a virus called “Pegasus” has recently taken away all human information from mobile phones and is endangering them.
According to them, the spyware virus called “Pegasus” was first discovered in August 2016. “Pegasus” literally means “king of bird” or “flying horse”. Developed by the Israeli technology company NSO Group, it is a malicious malware that has been dubbed “Pegasus” spyware. It infiltrates the operating systems of Android and iPhone and steals the user’s personal information. It is a spyware that is able to hack into a person’s phone and capture everything like personal photos, videos, text message, phone call, bank cards, etc.
As of July 2021, Amnesty International’s cyber security team has found that “Pegasus” spyware is being used all over the world and is increasingly attacking the phones of influential people around the world, as well as tracking all kinds of state activities. According to an investigation by Amnesty International, it is able to hack all kinds of information of phone users by violating the security of the iOS up to 14.6.
According to experts, this spyware is so irresistible that it can easily penetrate Apple’s security system and is able to track the activities of any influential person or state, political party, international planning, etc. It also attacks Android phones. It can also get into anyone’s phone via WhatsApp, YouTube, Spam Messages, etc.
According to them, “Pegasus” Spyware can be automatically installed on the phone of a person by sending a simple missed call or text message or link in the guise of someone and can capture all the information. The phone user does not even need to receive that missed call or read the text message. It is enough to disguise the message or missed call on the phone for monitoring. It is often tempting to enter anyone’s phone through a link such as making money on the internet.
If the person is an Android phone user, installs an application from a third-party software source other than the Play Store, or tries to watch videos from a website like YouTube Vanced app, it can easily get into his phone and grab information.
Similarly, if an iPhone user installs an app from a third-party licensed software source other than the Apple App Store on their phone, the security system on their iPhone could be compromised and “Pegasus” Spyware could occur.
Moreover, the owner of the phone who is the victim of this spyware attack will never realize that a spyware called “Pegasus” has inadvertently infiltrated his or her phone. The coding process of this virus is so powerful. According to a BBC report, “Pegasus” spyware has been used to track the phones of various important people in about fifty countries around the world.
As a result of this virus attack, all the information including personal activities, photos, audios, videos, call records, bank account information reach in the hands of hackers easily from someone personal mobile. So far, no effective software or means have been developed to prevent this virus hacking information from mobile phones. Technology researchers are constantly researching ways to prevent or detect this spyware.
‘Pegasus’ spyware gets into someone’s phone and acts as a spy. Who is talking to whom, what is the message, who is where, who is communicating with whom? It is able to reach the third party. The third party is taking all these important information starting from someone’s personal information, audio call, video, etc. in their control. So ‘Pegasus’ spyware has become now another cause of mental anguish for many during this Covid-19 pandemic.
(Dr. Matiur Rahman, Research Consultant, Human Development Research Centre, Dhaka).
