These special phone and app features can help protect you from spyware

Apple, Meta, and Google offer special security modes that provide your devices more secure against targeted spyware attacks. Here are how those modes work, what they do, and how to switch them on.

A spyware investigator exposed Russian government hackers trying to hijack Signal accounts

A group of likely Russian government hackers tried to hack a security researcher who investigates spyware attacks. He was then able to turn the tables on the hackers and reveal details of their espionage campaign.

Google launches new Android security feature to help uncover spyware attacks

Intrusion Logging is a new part of Android’s Advanced Protection Mode, which aims to help protect human rights activists, journalists, and dissidents from government spyware attack and law enforcement forensic devices.

Paragon is not collaborating with Italian authorities probing spyware attacks, report says

Despite promising to help determine what happened with the hacks targeting journalists and activists in Italy, Israeli American spyware maker Paragon has reportedly not responded to authorities’ requests for information.

Another spyware maker caught distributing fake Android snooping apps

Researchers have found a new case where government authorities used a fake Android app to plant spyware on a target’s phone. The company that allegedly developed the spyware was not previously known to sell this type of software.

UK government says 100 countries have spyware that can hack people’s phones

The U.K.’s cybersecurity chief warned that U.K. businesses and critical infrastructure are underestimating the threat from spyware attacks and other cyberthreats, with more governments having access to the powerful surveillance technology than ever.

Hack-for-hire group caught targeting Android devices and iCloud backups

Security researchers exposed a spying campaign by a hack-for-hire group that used Android spyware and phishing to steal iCloud credentials and hack victims’ devices.

After fighting malware for decades, this cybersecurity veteran is now hacking drones

Mikko Hyppönen is one of the most recognizable faces of the cybersecurity industry. After fighting computer viruses, worms, and malware, for more than 35 years, he tells TechCrunch why he is now working on systems to stop killer drones.

ICE says it bought Paragon’s spyware to use in drug trafficking cases

The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told lawmakers that the use of Paragon spyware is necessary to counter terrorists’ “thriving exploitation of encrypted communications platforms.”

WhatsApp notifies hundreds of users who installed a fake app made by government spyware maker

The Meta-owned company said it identified around 200 users who were tricked into installing a fake version of WhatsApp that was actually Italian-made spyware.