European Lawmakers Targeted by Spyware While Investigating It

Researchers at Citizen Lab discovered that members of the European Parliament who were investigating abuses of commercial spyware became victims themselves. Pegasus spyware was found on their phones while they were conducting their investigation. One parliament member called it a direct attack on the rule of law.

Pegasus can secretly control a phone completely, accessing all messages, emails, photos, and even activating cameras and microphones. For most families, the direct threat from Pegasus is low because it's expensive and typically reserved for high-profile targets like politicians and journalists.

However, this incident reveals an important truth: phones are not as secure as we assume them to be. The technology used against these officials demonstrates vulnerabilities that exist in all smartphones. What starts as government surveillance tools often influences the tactics criminals eventually use.

1. Update your phone's operating system immediately and enable automatic updates.
2. Never click links in text messages from unknown senders, and be skeptical even of messages from contacts if they seem unusual.
3. Use a passcode or biometric lock on your phone at all times.
4. Review your app permissions regularly and remove access for apps that don't need your camera, microphone, or location.
5. Download apps only from official stores and read reviews before installing. Build lasting security habits for your family. Talk to your kids about phone security just like you talk about stranger danger. Treat unexpected messages with suspicion, especially those urging you to click a link or download something. Consider covering your phone's camera when not in use. While you may not be a target for sophisticated spyware, these same practices protect against common scams and malware that do affect everyday families.