Yes,
Jeff Bezos's phone was indeed hacked by spyware called "The Pegasus", for a sweet name like that it sure is very deadly......
Spyware!?
Ok, so let's now understand what is a SPYWARE. In simple terms, The software which can transmit data from one computer or device to another device without the owner of the transmitting device knowing it is called Spyware.
Now, what is so different about PEGASUS?
Normally for a spyware to install onto your system, you've got to install an application or in the recent trend there are Spywares that can be installed by clicking on an unknown link. But Pegasus can be installed just through a WhatsApp message! YES, just a message is enough for Pegasus Spyware to take hold of your device.
How did Jeff get Hacked?
As we discussed earlier, just a WhatsApp message is enough for the spyware to be installed.
On April 4th, 2018, Jeff attended dinner with Crown Prince Saudi Arabia and as happened they exchanged mobile numbers, on the 1st of May, of the same year, Jeff received a video file (Encrypted video to be precise) on WhatsApp from the Prince. Although it's not confirmed by Jeff himself until now, the forensic departments have released reports that the video file infected Jeff's phone with malicious code (Spyware).
Within a couple of days of installation, the phone showed suspicious symptoms such as sudden battery drain, unregulated data usage, which led to further inquiry and Spyware was found, and many of his personal data were lost, but the forensic still claims that the spyware didn't steal any of Jeff's data :)
Who Created Such a Code?
This is an interesting part of the blog. The Spyware Pegasus was created by the Israeli Cyber-Intelligence NSO Group. This was used to track politicians, government leaders, human rights activists, dissidents, and journalists.
Fun Fact:
The base of this Spyware code is our very well-known, JAVA :-)
Is it a threat in India?
Did you really think that the creation of a spyware like this was the scariest thing!?
The scary part is that this Spyware is for sale even now, Pegasus spyware is not cheap. First, you need to buy a license for it and each pegasus spyware license costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.
To spy on 10 iPhone and 10 Android users, NSO charges government agencies $650,000, five BlackBerry users $500,000, and five Symbian users $300,000.
As an individual or a normal person the process of buying Pegasus spyware is highly complicated.
To answer the question, the Pegasus is not a threat to India, thanks to our Prime Minister.
Below in quotation is the article taken from the newspaper "The wire",
“In July 2017, Narendra Modi, who won office on a platform of Hindu nationalism, became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel…The Modi visit, however, was notably cordial, complete with a carefully staged moment of him and Prime Minister Netanyahu walking together barefoot on a local beach. They had a reason for the warm feelings,” the report notes.
“Their countries had agreed on the sale of a package of sophisticated weapons and intelligence gear worth roughly $2 billion – with Pegasus and a missile system as the centerpieces. Months later, Netanyahu made a rare state visit to India.”
Conclusion,
Jeff Bezos had to condemn his corrupted phone as the Pegasus Spyware can't be removed until and unless the data of the reset (including the Operating System).
On another note, Yes People, we are citizens of a country that has notorious Spyware and a Missile System ready to go at a moment's notice.
Think about it, did you know about these?
If you have any clash of opinions, I am always open to suggestions.
On that note, This is Amit.
Thank You.