In December 2024, iVerify’s Mobile Threat Hunting feature detected 11 new cases of Pegasus spyware infections on iOS devices. These discoveries were made after approximately 18,000 users scanned their devices using the iVerify app, which allows individuals to identify potential spyware infections through advanced diagnostic tools. The findings revealed a broader pattern of Pegasus infections affecting not just high-profile targets like politicians and activists but also business executives across industries such as finance, logistics, and real estate.
Notably, about half of the individuals whose devices were infected did not receive Apple’s Threat Notifications, which are designed to alert users to potential spyware attacks. This highlights a significant gap in Apple’s detection capabilities, as the company is currently only able to identify Pegasus infections in roughly 50% of cases. Without iVerify’s scans, these individuals would have remained unaware of their compromised devices.
The findings underscore the growing prevalence of Pegasus spyware and the limitations of traditional detection methods, emphasizing the need for more robust security measures to protect mobile devices from advanced threats like Pegasus.