Spyware attacks on journalists, human rights defenders, and political dissidents are becoming more common. In early 2025, WhatsApp notified approximately 90 users, many of whom were journalists and civil society members in Europe, that they had been targeted by the Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions. Months later, Apple alerted a new group of iOS users to threats; forensic analysis confirmed that two journalists had been hit with Paragon’s Graphite spyware through a zero-click attack, meaning they were compromised without clicking on a link. These incidents are no longer isolated but rather the norm.
Security researchers have observed numerous cases over the past 15 years where government hackers have successfully targeted and compromised journalists, human rights defenders, critics, and political opponents.
These attacks rely on sophisticated tools that allow hackers to install spyware on devices, particularly smartphones, which contain a vast amount of personal data. Spyware grants operators extensive access to the target’s device and data, enabling them to record calls, steal messages, access photos, and activate the camera and microphone to record surroundings and conversations. Additionally, spyware typically tracks the target’s real-time location.
In response to these threats, major tech companies now offer enhanced security features to users. Apple, Google, and Meta provide opt-in features specifically designed to counter targeted spyware attacks.
Although no security measure is foolproof, it is essential to continuously work on strengthening security defenses. Spyware developers continually find new ways to exploit vulnerabilities, prompting software makers to respond and enhance security features.
Tech experts recommend utilizing these security features, even if there is no immediate threat of government surveillance. These features are free, easy to enable, and proven to be effective against sophisticated spyware attacks.
The article goes on to detail the specific security features provided by Apple, Google, and WhatsApp, along with instructions on how to enable them.
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