Oh s#!t, Sherlock

Summary

Israeli software maker Insanet has developed a commercial product called Sherlock that can infect devices via online adverts to snoop on targets and collect data about them for the biz’s clients. This is the first time details of Insanet and its surveillanceware have been made public. Sherlock is capable of drilling its way into Microsoft Windows, Google Android, and Apple iOS devices. Insanet received approval from Israel’s Defense Ministry to sell Sherlock globally as a military product albeit under various tight restrictions, such as only selling to Western nations.

To market its snoopware, Insanet reportedly teamed up with Candiru, an Israel-based spyware maker that has been sanctioned in the US, to offer Sherlock along with Candiru’s spyware.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Director of Activism Jason Kelley said Insanet’s use of advertising technology to infect devices and spy on clients’ targets makes it especially worrisome.

There are some measures netizens can take to protect themselves from Sherlock and other data-harvesting technologies.

  • not loading JavaScript
  • using ad blockers or privacy-aware browsers
  • not clicking on advertisements
  • pass consumer data privacy laws
  • gullible@kbin.social
    671·
    1 year ago

    To the user in this community who argued that adblockers are killing the internet, lol. Lmao, even. Enjoy your attack vector, buddy.

    • Otter@lemmy.caEnglish
      14·
      1 year ago

      I install ublock origin on my parents’ device mainly for this reason. It cuts down on a most of the scams and other bullshit that they might encounter.

  • SulaymanF@lemmy.worldEnglish
    564·
    1 year ago

    We need to treat the rightwing Israeli government like the pariah that they are. If North Korea was selling tools like this there would be consequences. Meanwhile Israel repeatedly sells Pegasus and other hack tools and spies on democracy activists.

    • SinningStromgald@lemmy.world
      141·
      1 year ago

      We should but we won’t. Same with Qatar, Saudi Arabia etc. Gotta keep a foot in the shitpie we made of the Middle East to make sure the oil flows.

  • ArbiterXero@lemmy.worldEnglish
    241·
    1 year ago

    But don’t worry about Google’s web environment integrity….

    There should be no reason to block ads

  • spacedance@sh.itjust.works
    222·
    1 year ago

    It would be good if Israel faced consequences for the amount of spyware companies they let freely operate and target people from their country.

  • helmet91@lemmy.world
    142·
    1 year ago
    • not clicking on advertisements

    Even if someone doesn’t use an adblocker for some reason… who the fuck would click on ads?!