NSO Group the PR of Intelware Captures Headlines …. Yet Again
March 13, 2025
Our reading and research have lead us to this basic rule: Unless measures are taken to keep something secret, diffusion is inevitable. Knowledge about systems, methods, and tools to access data is widespread. Case in point—Today’s General Counsel tells us, "Pegasus Spyware Is Showing Up on Corporate Execs’ Cell Phones." The brief write-up cites reporting by The Record’s Suzanne Smalley, who got her information from security firm iVerify. It shows a steep climb in Pegasus-infected devices over the second half of last year. We learn:
"The number of reported infected phones among iVerify corporate clients was eleven out of 18,000 devices tested in December last year. In May 2024, when iVerify first began offering the spyware testing service, a study found seven spyware infections out of 3,000 phones tested. ‘The world remains totally unprepared to deal with this from a security perspective,’ says iVerify co-founder and former National Security Agency analyst Rocky Cole, who was interviewed for the article. ‘This stuff is way more prevalent than people think.’ The article notes that business executives are now proving to be vulnerable, including individuals with access to proprietary plans and financial data, as well as those who frequently communicate with other influential leaders in the private sector. These leaders engage in sensitive work out of the public eye, including deals that have the potential to impact financial markets."
But how could this happen? Pegasus-maker NSO Group vows it only sells spyware to whitelisted governments for counterterrorism and fighting crime. It does do that. And also other things, reportedly. So we are unsurprised to find business executives among those allegedly targeted. We think it best to assume anything digital can be accessed by anyone at any moment. Is it time to bring back communications via pen and paper? At least someone must get out from behind a desk to intercept snail mail or dead drops.
Cynthia Murrell, March 13, 2025
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