A report from TechCrunch reveals that Portuguese-language spyware called WebDetetive has compromised over 76,000 Android devices, predominantly in Brazil. However, white hat hackers claim to have deleted user data from its servers, potentially helping thousands.
The report states that unnamed hackers discovered and exploited vulnerabilities in WebDetetive’s servers. By hacking the spyware company’s web dashboard, the hackers accessed user databases and downloaded records, including customer emails.
Stalkerware Sends User Data to a Central Server Without Consent
According to the report, the dashboard hack also allowed the white hat hackers to sever connections between victims’ devices and WebDetetive’s servers. The hackers claimed this prevented devices from sending new data to WebDetetive.
WebDetetive is a type of software called “stalkerware,” a subgroup of spyware that is usually put on victims’ phones without their consent. Usually by a partner or spouse who suspects infidelity, but the reasons can be even more sinister.
Spyware is also incredibly popular among government spy agencies for surveillance purposes. By compromising WebDetetive’s servers, the hackers have potentially saved thousands from having their data stolen.
Keep your data safe with these handy tips: Data Privacy: 10 Tips to Protect Your Digital Privacy
The hackers provided TechCrunch with a 1.5GB cache of
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Author: Josh Adams
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