According to British intelligence, more than half of the world's governments have access to commercial spyware that can penetrate computers and mobile phones and steal sensitive information.
The UK's National Cyber Security Center is expected to publish its findings on Wednesday, according to Politico. The report suggests that barriers to accessing this type of surveillance technology may be lowering, making it easier for foreign governments and hackers to target British citizens, businesses and critical infrastructure with spyware.
The number of countries with access to this type of hacking tool has also increased from 80 countries estimated by British intelligence agencies in 2023 to 100.
Commercial spyware, developed by private companies such as NSO Group's Pegasus and Paragon's Graphite, often exploits security flaws in mobile phones and computer software to infiltrate devices and steal the data inside. Although governments say they use spyware only against prime suspects of crime and terrorism, security researchers and human rights activists have long warned that governments misuse it to target critics and political opponents, including journalists.
British intelligence services have now announced that the campaign has “expanded” in recent years, to include bankers and wealthy businessmen.
Richard Horne, who runs the UK's National Cyber Security Center, said in a speech at the CYBERUK conference in Glasgow that British companies “have failed to grasp the realities of the world today,” according to a pre-released copy of his talk seen by TechCrunch.
Mr Horne said the majority of nationally significant cyberattacks targeting the UK originate from hostile foreign governments rather than cybercriminal organizations.
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The UK, like several other countries, continues to experience China-linked intrusions aimed at stealing sensitive data, spying on VIPs, and laying the groundwork for destructive hacking to delay a Western military response ahead of an anticipated Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
The spyware threat facing the UK comes not only from the government but also from cybercriminals who have access to these tools. Earlier this year, a hacking toolkit called DarkSword was leaked online that contained several exploits that could hack modern iPhones and iPads. Using this tool, anyone can now set up a website that allows them to hack Apple customers who have not yet updated to the latest version of their mobile software.
The hacking tools leak demonstrated that even heavily protected hacking tools developed by and for governments can leak and spread uncontrollably, potentially putting millions of people at risk of malicious hacking.
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