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Issue abstract:
Detailed description: I have received an email quoting that pegasus software has been installed
Product & version number:
OS details:
What is the error message you are seeing?
If you have any supporting screenshots, please add them:
Here is a Norton blog on the Pegasus spyware. What is Pegasus spyware + how to remove it? - Norton . Sounds like it only gets installed on mobile devices.
Who is the sender of the email? DO NOT click on any links in that email. It may be a scam email trying to get you to protect your computer from that spyware, when in fact it would install some malware on your computer.
Yes, Iāve also read about it, it seems that it only installs on mobile devices. Does this mean that Pegasus cannot make any connection with the Windows operating system?
Not being a cyber security expert, I cannot answer whether or not it could connect with a Windows system. But it focuses on gathering the information stored on your mobile device.
āNormalā people are not at all likely to be a target of this spyware. It is licensed to government and security agencies. So unless you are a target for one of those, I would not lose any sleep over this spyware.
Hopefully, you havenāt linked any of your Android / iOS devices to Windows. If you are on Windows 10 or 11 linking your mobile device to Windows is a big deal. And dangerous.
SA
Thatās precisely what Iāve been asking between the lines. Just because Pegasus only directly infects iOS and Android operating systems and not Windows, then I ask: Letās imagine that Iām a target person but I donāt have anything relevant on my smartphone BUT I regularly connect it to my computer. Does Pegasus have access to my computer through my smartphone?
My last post was implying that, IF you have linked one of your mobile devices to Windows, and that device has been compromised, Windows can also become compromised. Just connecting it to a PC your Norton solution should scan it and report accordingly. Linking a suspect compromised mobile device into Windows can cause havoc. This is a link with what it actually does. Linking to Windows is NOT the same as connection via USB to download files.
SA
Ok, my doubts are solved.
Thank you
Youāre most welcome!! Glad we could help.
SA
I never have my phone connected to my PC directely, I only transfer files via Bluetooth, and my phone also has Norton from my 360 Premium package installed. I deduce that this would make it unlikely to get infected.
Pegasus was engineered to compromise mobile devices. Iām not sure if an infected mobile device transferring to and from a PC can cause the latter to become compromised.
How do you know if you have Pegasus malware?
Because of its advanced design, detecting Pegasus spyware is far more difficult than spotting typical malware. But while there arenāt many reliable telltale signs your phone is hacked by high-level spyware, specialized tools like the Mobile Verification Toolkit (MVT) can help identify traces of Pegasus on your device
Pegasus CAN bypass mobile security:
AI Overview
Yes, Pegasus malware can easily bypass mobile security. Developed by the NSO Group, it utilizes āzero-clickā exploitsāwhich means it can infiltrate your device and disable built-in security controls without you ever clicking a link or downloading a file.
Pegasus subverts mobile security through several highly advanced techniques:
Zero-Click Exploits: Pegasus takes advantage of āzero-dayā vulnerabilities in common apps like iMessage or WhatsApp. It can install itself simply by sending a message or placing a call to your device, even if you never open the message or answer the call.
Rooting and Jailbreaking: Once the software successfully penetrates the operating system, it roots (on Android) or jailbreaks (on iOS) the phone. This allows the malware to bypass all of the built-in application and hardware sandboxing, granting the attacker full administrator access.
Standard Antivirus Limitations: Traditional mobile security apps and antivirus tools cannot detect Pegasus. Because it operates silently in the background and has self-destruct mechanisms to delete itself, it is extremely difficult to spot.
Bypassing Encryption: By accessing the deviceās kernel, Pegasus can intercept your messages, emails, and calls before they are encrypted by secure apps like WhatsApp or Signal.
To minimize exposure to such advanced threats, cybersecurity experts highly recommend keeping your operating system updated with the latest security patches and, for high-risk users, enabling built-in protections like Appleās Lockdown Mode. For forensic detection, security researchers utilize tools such as the Mobile Verification Toolkit.
Donāt assume infection isnāt possible because Norton or other third party AV is installed. Run the MVT toolkit.
SA