Pegasus Means Your iPhone is No Longer Bulletproof

Apple iPhone users need to know about a dangerous virus called Pegasus that can perform various harmful actions without any interaction from the user. Pegasus can read messages, access the camera and microphone, listen to calls, record passwords, and track the phone’s location, all without the owner’s knowledge. But trained Cyber Security professionals from eMazzanti Technologies can help you secure your device against this threat and others.

Pegasus malware can download harmful content, without the user clicking on a malicious email or doing anything else — setting it apart from most malware. NSO Group developed Pegasus to combat terrorists and criminals, but nation-state bad actors have misused it to target activists, journalists and others.

Apple released an update to protect against Pegasus, but users who do not update their devices may still be at risk. To keep your systems secure, make sure to download and install patches or updates promptly.

A way to further enhance your device’s security 

To make your Apple device even more secure against threats like Pegasus, you can turn on Apple’s Lockdown Mode. Just go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, and tap on Lockdown Mode to activate it. If you have set up an Apple Watch with your iPhone, turning on Lockdown Mode also turns this feature on for the paired Apple Watch, although this requires watchOS 10 or later.

When an iPhone is in Lockdown Mode, some functions are limited and certain apps, like SharePlay, Shared Albums, FaceTime Live Photos, and FaceTime Continuity Handoff may not be accessible.  Also, to connect to wired accessories, your iPhone needs to be unlocked; although some connections may still briefly work after entering Lockdown Mode.

Pegasus, of course, is not the only threat to Apple and other devices. eMazzanti Technologies Cyber Security experts can help to safeguard your devices with such tools as WatchGuard EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and MDR (Managed Detection and Response) for automated patch management. EDR monitors and responds to threats, while MDR constantly hunts for and contains threats to improve security.

eMazzanti Cyber Security also provides Tabletop exercises for business owners. During a Tabletop exercise, which may be conducted virtually, we work with you to review the steps your Cyber Security team members will take in case of a ransomware attack or other threat. In this exercise, a facilitator helps participants practice cybersecurity by guiding them through scenarios and testing their responses.

eMazzanti MXINSPECT is another solution that utilizes advanced technologies to help protect organizations from such email threats as phishing, malware, spam, and other harmful content.

Antivirus and endpoint protection products search for known threats. However, they require constant monitoring to identify advanced attacks such as APTs, exploits, and file-less attacks. This is necessary for them to work at their highest level of effectiveness. Remember, Cyber Criminals never rest, so the rest of us must stay vigilant.