Egyptian Opposition Politician Targeted: Unveiling a Sinister Cyber Attack

Tracking & Law Enforcement Researchers Discover Attempt to Infect Leading Egyptian Opposition Politician With Predator Spyware

Security researchers have discovered an attempt to infect the leading Egyptian opposition politician, Ahmed Altantawy, with spyware after he announced his presidential bid. The researchers believe that Egyptian authorities were likely behind the hacking attempt. The discovery prompted Apple to release operating system updates for its devices to patch the associated vulnerabilities. The attempt involved configuring Altantawy’s connection to the Vodaphone Egypt mobile network to automatically infect his devices with the Predator spyware if he visited certain websites not using the secure HTTPS protocol. Once infected, the spyware turns a smartphone into a remote eavesdropping device.

Cooperation from Vodafone Egypt

Bill Marczak, the researcher involved in the investigation, stated that the most likely scenario is that there is cooperation from Vodafone Egypt, Altantawy’s mobile network provider. Marczak expressed concern over the fact that the government can select anyone on a network like Vodafone Egypt‘s for infection and surveillance. Altantawy’s phone had previously been hacked successfully with the Predator spyware in 2021, indicating that this is not the first attempt to target the opposition politician.

Political Crackdown and Human Rights Violations

Ahmed Altantawy, a former journalist and lawmaker, announced his bid to challenge incumbent President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in the 2024 presidential elections. El-Sissi’s administration has been accused by rights groups of targeting dissent with brutal tactics, including forced disappearances, torture, and long-term detentions without trial. Altantawy, his family members, and supporters have complained of harassment, which led him to request assistance from Citizen Lab researchers to analyze his phone for potential spyware infection.

International Concerns and Sanctions

The use of Predator spyware by Egyptian authorities adds to the growing concerns over the use of surveillance technology to target political opposition and violate human rights. In November 2021, the maker of the Pegasus spyware, the Israel-based NSO Group, was sanctioned for its role in surveillance abuses. In July of this year, the U.S. added Cytrox, the maker of Predator, to its blacklist for developing surveillance tools that threatened national security. Such sanctions make it illegal for U.S. companies to do business with the sanctioned entities.

Recommendations for Internet Security and Protection

This incident highlights the need for individuals to take proactive measures to protect their online privacy and security. Here are some recommendations:

• Regularly update devices and operating systems to ensure the latest security patches are installed.
• Use strong and unique passwords for all online accounts and enable two-factor authentication where available.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from unknown sources.
• Use a virtual private network (VPN) when accessing the internet to encrypt your connection and enhance privacy.
• Use secure communication apps that offer end-to-end encryption for messaging, such as Signal or Telegram.
• Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms and other online services.
• Be cautious about sharing personal information online and limit the amount of data you provide to apps and websites.
• Consider using additional security measures, such as antivirus software and anti-malware scanners, to detect and remove potential threats.

It is important for governments and technology companies to prioritize the protection of individuals’ privacy and security, particularly in countries with a history of human rights abuses and political crackdowns. International cooperation, oversight, and accountability mechanisms are needed to ensure that surveillance technology is not misused and does not violate fundamental rights.

Editorial: Safeguarding Democracy and Human Rights in the Digital Age

The use of surveillance technology to target political opposition is a grave violation of human rights and undermines democratic values. Governments must be held accountable for such actions and work towards greater transparency and respect for privacy. Technology companies also have a responsibility to ensure that their products and services are not misused by repressive regimes. Strong encryption and privacy protections should be the default settings in communication apps and devices to safeguard individuals’ rights to free expression and privacy.

Furthermore, international regulations and agreements are needed to govern the export, sale, and use of surveillance technology. Governments and technology companies should work together to establish clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms to prevent the abuse of such technologies. The protection of human rights should always take precedence over surveillance and control.