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In a bold act of digital vigilantism, a group of unidentified hackers has reportedly breached the systems of spyware firm WebDetetive, erasing device information in an effort to shield potential victims from unwarranted surveillance. This news was brought to light by TechCrunch on Saturday, who reported that the hackers had left a note stating, “Because #fuckstalkerware.”
Spyware, a type of software that provides users with unrestricted access to a victim’s device, has been increasingly used for nefarious purposes. It’s a tool that can be wielded by governments to monitor citizens or by individuals to stalk their victims. WebDetective’s spyware, for instance, boasts the ability to record every keystroke, eavesdrop on phone conversations, and track locations, all for a price less than your morning cup of joe.
The software operates covertly, downloaded as an app under a nondescript alias on the victim’s phone, granting the user full access to the device. The hackers’ intrusion into WebDetective’s systems has reportedly compromised over 76,000 devices belonging to the spyware’s customers, and liberated more than 1.5 gigabytes of data from the company’s servers.
While TechCrunch has not independently verified the erasure of victim data from WebDetetive’s servers, they were provided with a cache of data by the hackers, offering a glimpse into the extent of the breach. In collaboration with DDoSecrets, a nonprofit organization specializing in the analysis of exposed datasets, TechCrunch was able to verify and scrutinize the information. The hackers had managed to acquire data such as IP addresses and details of the devices targeted by the spyware’s customers.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the double-edged nature of technology. While it can be a tool for innovation and progress, it can also be weaponized for intrusion and violation of privacy. The actions of these hackers, while controversial, have shed light on the dark underbelly of the tech industry, where personal privacy is often traded for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
