The Syrian Electronic Army hacker group has reportedly been investing heavily in a scheme to infect Android device users with a spyware tool hidden inside fake app updates.Known for its ardent support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the threat group is targeting in particular users of secure messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram. The SEA is spreading malicious updates for these apps through a combination of watering hole websites and phishing emails, according to a report from Forbes, citing researchers at Lookout who presented their findings at the Black Hat conference in London this week.These fake updates contain a spyware program called SilverHawk that dates back to 2016, the report continues. If a user accepts the fake update's permissions, the spyware gains admin-level access and is able to access data, files and contacts, as well as operate the device's microphone and camera.
Security Architecture, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security, Security Strategy, Plan, Budget, Threat Management, Threat Management, Threat Intelligence, Threat Management, Malware, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security, Endpoint/Device Security
Researchers: Syrian Electronic Army targeting secure messaging app users with spyware
Bradley Barth
As director of multimedia content strategy at CyberRisk Alliance, Bradley Barth develops content for online conferences, webcasts, podcasts video/multimedia projects — often serving as moderator or host. For nearly six years, he wrote and reported for SC Media as deputy editor and, before that, senior reporter. He was previously a program executive with the tech-focused PR firm Voxus. Past journalistic experience includes stints as business editor at Executive Technology, a staff writer at New York Sportscene and a freelance journalist covering travel and entertainment. In his spare time, Bradley also writes screenplays.
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