Pegasus spyware has been dominating the tech news worldwide recently. This seemingly invincible spyware can infect fully updated smartphones with a single malicious text or call.

But after the initial panic subsided, people were able to look at Pegasus for what it really is: spyware that’s used to invade people's privacy and leak their personal information. Here is all you need to know before you run off to check whether your phone has been infected.

What Is Pegasus Spyware?

Unlike previous spyware that took over the internet, Pegasus wasn’t created by unknown hackers dwelling on the dark web.

It’s hacking and spying software created by the Israeli surveillance company, NSO Group Technologies, marketed and licensed for only world governments to use.

Pegasus spyware is nothing new. It’s been around since 2016, infecting iOS and Android devices alike through spear-phishing attacks, a form of social engineering where the hacker tricks you into clicking on a malicious link in an SMS or email.

Illustration of invasion of privacy

Fast-forward five years and NSO’s Pegasus is stronger than ever. Instead of relying on users falling for its scheme, Pegasus spyware now operates through a zero-click attack—a type of cyberattack that doesn’t need the user or device to interact with the spyware to infiltrate its phone.

One way Pegasus can infect your device is via a missed call. Something you can’t anticipate or protect yourself from.

Not only is it easier for Pegasus to infect mobile devices, but users also might not even know they have because they’ve been careful while browsing the web.

What Does Pegasus Spyware Do?

Once Pegasus infects your phone, it gains free reign over your data and device's features. In other words, your phone turns into a limitless, 24-hour tracking and surveillance device.

Pegasus can harvest all of your phone’s data, from messages, voicemails, documents, videos, images, and even app data. So that includes mining your apps for data and stealing your passwords to access other online accounts and devices separate from yours.

It can also switch on your device’s camera or microphone and record you in real-time.

Should You be Worried About Pegasus Spyware?

NSO Group Technologies has so far stated that they’re innocent and in no way related to the hacking and violation of privacy happening worldwide as they're simply the manufacturer, not the attacker.

While they claim the spyware was intended for use strictly against criminals and terrorists, current findings suggest otherwise.

Wall of surveillance cameras

Investigations uncovered a target list containing over 50,000 smartphone numbers. The numbers are anonymous and unattributed. However, further investigation found that the numbers belonged to hundreds of politicians and official government workers, close to 200 journalists, and 85 human rights activists from over 50 countries worldwide.

Since Pegasus is private spyware, it’s highly unlikely that someone can get their hands on it through the dark web. NSO Group Technologies reportedly charges clients hundreds of thousands of dollars to give them access to the Pegasus system—not to mention the additional fees to actually use it to infiltrate other people’s smartphones.

While 50,000 is a big number, if you’re not a journalist, an activist, or a government worker with access to sensitive information and documents, chances are, your phone number isn’t on that list.

No one is going to pay half a million dollars to spy on you. That is, if they get permission from NSO, to begin with.

Stay Up to Date

Whether it’s your smartphone’s update or global cybersecurity news, it’s important to stay up to date. While NSO claims that Pegasus can still infect smartphones even if they’re up to date, secured, and encrypted, other spyware out there can’t.

As for the news, Pegasus is private property that only governments and military have access to. But once the technology of zero-click attacks it out there, it’s out there. It’s just a matter of time before Pegasus-like spyware breaks the internet by targeting average people.