Ethical Hacking News
NSO spyware Pegasus has been detected on the iPhone of a Serbian university rector, just six days before the country's snap parliamentary elections. The discovery has raised concerns about the role of intelligence agencies in influencing the outcome of the vote and the impact of spyware on civil society. The incident highlights the need for greater awareness and action to protect individuals and organizations from commercial spyware threats.
The recent discovery of NSO spyware Pegasus on the iPhone of Vladan Đokić, the Rector of the University of Belgrade, has raised questions about the role of intelligence agencies and the impact of spyware on human rights. The incident occurred just six days before Serbia's snap parliamentary elections, fueling concerns about the potential use of spyware to influence the outcome of the vote. Pegasus spyware can provide its operator with access to sensitive information, including private messages, emails, and personal data, making it a particularly concerning threat. The attack on Đokić's iPhone may have been used to intimidate him, highlighting the vulnerability of civil society organizations to spyware attacks. Individuals who received an Apple Threat Notification are advised to treat their device as compromised until a technical expert confirms otherwise. There is a need for greater awareness and action to protect civil society organizations from spyware attacks, including keeping devices and software up to date and using strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
The recent discovery of NSO spyware Pegasus on the iPhone of Vladan Đokić, the Rector of the University of Belgrade, has shed light on the growing threat of commercial spyware to civil society. The incident, which occurred just six days before Serbia's snap parliamentary elections, has raised questions about the role of intelligence agencies and the impact of spyware on human rights.
According to a report by Citizen Lab, a research organization, Đokić's iPhone was infected with Pegasus spyware in 2026, using a zero-click exploit that allowed the spyware to gain access to the device without the owner's knowledge or consent. The report also found that Rade Bajić, a senior prosecutor who worked on a corruption investigation, received an Apple Threat Notification on August 13, suggesting that his device may have been targeted with mercenary spyware.
The use of Pegasus spyware in these cases is particularly concerning, as it can provide its operator with access to sensitive information, including private messages, emails, and other personal data. The report notes that Pegasus is sold only to governments and state agencies, which limits the number of possible operators, but also raises questions about the ability of intelligence agencies to use this technology for their own purposes.
The incident has also highlighted the vulnerability of civil society organizations to spyware attacks. Đokić, who is a prominent supporter of the Serbian student movement, was raided by authorities on March 31, and his office was seized. The report suggests that the Pegasus spyware attack may have been used to intimidate him, and that the incident raises concerns about the ability of intelligence agencies to use spyware to silence critics of the government.
The timing of the attack is also noteworthy, as it occurred just six days before the elections, which has raised questions about the role of intelligence agencies in influencing the outcome of the vote. The report notes that the Serbian authorities have dismissed the September reports of Pegasus attacks as "purely trivial sensationalism," but the incident suggests that the threat of spyware is real and must be taken seriously.
In response to the incident, the Citizen Lab is urging individuals who received an Apple Threat Notification to treat their device as compromised until a technical expert confirms otherwise. The report also notes that organizations like the SHARE Foundation and Access Now's Digital Security Helpline offer support and resources for individuals who have been targeted by spyware.
The incident highlights the need for greater awareness and action to protect civil society organizations from spyware attacks. As the use of Pegasus and other commercial spyware technologies continues to grow, it is essential that individuals and organizations take steps to protect themselves from these threats. This includes keeping devices and software up to date, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and being cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks.
In conclusion, the recent discovery of Pegasus spyware on the iPhone of Vladan Đokić, the Rector of the University of Belgrade, has highlighted the growing threat of commercial spyware to civil society. The incident raises questions about the role of intelligence agencies and the impact of spyware on human rights, and highlights the need for greater awareness and action to protect individuals and organizations from these threats.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/NSO-Spyware-Pegasus-A-Growing-Threat-to-Civil-Society-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/201389/intelligence/nso-spyware-pegasus-hit-a-serbian-university-rector-six-days-before-snap-elections.html
https://thehackernews.com/2026/10/pegasus-spyware-infection-confirmed-on.html
Published: Wed Oct 21 01:48:31 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
