Apple claims iPhones are world’s most secure smartphones

After the discovery of the Pegasus project, Apple wanted to reassure iPhone users. Despite the iOS flaws exploited by spyware, the iPhone remains the most secure smartphone on the market.

A few days ago, a survey by Forbidden Stories unveiled Project Pegasus. As part of this large-scale spy operation, tens of thousands of smartphones were infected with spyware. Called Pegasus, this software was provided by NSO, an Israeli computer security company that provides software to governments.

Among the smartphones hacked by Pegasus, there are many iPhones, including several iPhone 12s that have installed the latest iOS security updates. Spyware notably exploits a security vulnerability within iMessage.

Also read: this app checks if malware has been installed on your Android or iOS smartphone

Apple reassures: most iPhone users are not targeted by Pegasus

Despite Apple’s security measures, NSO is able to hack iPhone remotely without any action on the part of the user. Once the iPhone has been infected, Pegasus easily collects all data, including photos, videos, messages or exchanges through instant messaging applications.

According to Amnesty International researchers, NSO is several steps ahead of Apple experts. “There is a fundamental imbalance of power when hundreds of people – even thousands as contractors or freelancers – are employed to spend their days and nights looking for software flaws ” says Claudio Guarnieri, cybersecurity expert from Amnesty.

In order to reassure iPhone users, Apple contacted the Washington Post. “Apple unequivocally condemns cyberattacks against journalists, human rights activists and others who seek to make the world a better place. For more than a decade, Apple has been the industry leader in security, and therefore security researchers agree that the iPhone is the safest and most secure smartphone on the market ” explains Ivan Krstić, head of engineering and security at Apple.

The manager recalls that Pegasus is not a danger for most users. “Attacks like the ones described are very sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short lifespan, and are used to target very specific people. While this means that they do not pose a threat to the overwhelming majority of our users, we continue to work tirelessly to defend all of our customers, and we are constantly adding new protections for their devices and data ” continues the expert in computer security. For his part, Edward Snowden believes that no smartphone is immune.

Source: Washington post