Pksecurity
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2011
- Messages
- 306
- Reaction score
- 1
- Country
- Location
Internet is a powerful tool being used for a whole range of activities from medical aid to terrorist activities. The religious extremists are fierce critics of everything which goes with the assistance of technology but they are fond users of technology themselves for their nefarious activities. Heretofore, the activities of anti-state elements had gone on unchecked but no more. The big brother, the State of Pakistan, following the foot-steps of their likes in the most developed and democratic world has acquired the services of a powerful surveillance spyware, FinFisher, for monitoring of online activities by ordinary Internet users.
According to a report carried by Terminal X, the software suite, called "The Remote Monitoring and Deployment Solutions", has the ability to take control of target computers and capture even encrypted data and communications. Using "enhanced remote deployment methods" it can install software on target computers after the user accepts installation of a fake update to a popular software. Occasionally, various brands of computer programs notify their users of an update and this is exactly from where FinFisher mostly manages to set its foot in. Malware codes for FinFisher have also been detected in emails, as reported by Nicole Perlroth in The New York Times. FinFisher has in the past also exploited the iTunes brand by fooling ordinary users into believing they are doing its upgrade.
The spyware is not acceptable to those who want a free-hand. Reporters Without Borders has named Gamma International UK Ltd., parent company FinFisher, as one of the five 'Corporate Enemies of the Internet'. Until recently, authorities at Mozilla discovered the spyware had begun exploiting Firefox for its surveillance programs on request from governments of various countries. Hence, on April 30, 2013, the company announced that they are sending Gamma International a "cease-and-desist" letter for infringement of trademark content.
A new research report has recently been released by Citizen Lab titled 'For Their Eyes Only: The Commercialization of Digital Spying' which provides complete details on the spyware's intrusion techniques and also the countries wherein its servers are hosted. According to this report, FinFisher Command & Control servers are currently active, or have been present, in 36 countries. FinFisher Servers Found To Date: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ethiopia, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.
According to data by Citizen Lab, there are two FinFisher Command & Control servers in Pakistan, both of which are operated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd.
Pakistan acquires spyware for protective surveillance of internet activities
According to a report carried by Terminal X, the software suite, called "The Remote Monitoring and Deployment Solutions", has the ability to take control of target computers and capture even encrypted data and communications. Using "enhanced remote deployment methods" it can install software on target computers after the user accepts installation of a fake update to a popular software. Occasionally, various brands of computer programs notify their users of an update and this is exactly from where FinFisher mostly manages to set its foot in. Malware codes for FinFisher have also been detected in emails, as reported by Nicole Perlroth in The New York Times. FinFisher has in the past also exploited the iTunes brand by fooling ordinary users into believing they are doing its upgrade.
The spyware is not acceptable to those who want a free-hand. Reporters Without Borders has named Gamma International UK Ltd., parent company FinFisher, as one of the five 'Corporate Enemies of the Internet'. Until recently, authorities at Mozilla discovered the spyware had begun exploiting Firefox for its surveillance programs on request from governments of various countries. Hence, on April 30, 2013, the company announced that they are sending Gamma International a "cease-and-desist" letter for infringement of trademark content.
A new research report has recently been released by Citizen Lab titled 'For Their Eyes Only: The Commercialization of Digital Spying' which provides complete details on the spyware's intrusion techniques and also the countries wherein its servers are hosted. According to this report, FinFisher Command & Control servers are currently active, or have been present, in 36 countries. FinFisher Servers Found To Date: Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ethiopia, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.
According to data by Citizen Lab, there are two FinFisher Command & Control servers in Pakistan, both of which are operated by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd.
Pakistan acquires spyware for protective surveillance of internet activities
