Israeli Cyber Companies Overview

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Israeli Cyber Companies Overview

Background:

• Beyond cyber groups in the Israeli government, there are a multitude of companies that sell cyber products. 
• These companies are considered experts but have recently gotten into trouble with the products they sell, as indicated below. 

Israeli Cyber Companies to Know: 

• NSO Group – marketed as a technology firm, also known as a hacker-for-hire company
  • Developed the Pegasus software that allows their clients to have complete access to individual phones
  • The Pegasus software has been used to target reporters, human rights activists, and government officials
• Candiru – marketed as a cyber surveillance company, but is known as a secretive hacker-for-hire company
  • Now goes by the name Taveta, the firm frequently changes its’ name to remain unknown
  • Their specialty is hacking Microsoft Windows but is also developing software for Apple MacOS
  • Their spyware was used to target over 100 politicians, activists, and dissidents in 10 countries
• Quadream – surveillance technology company, considered an “offensive cyber company”
  • Product called “Reign” allows governments and organizations to extract data from smartphones and allow their clients to turn those phones into remotely operated spying devices
  • “Reign” sold by InReach Technologies, a Cyprus based front company for Quadream
  • Haaretz investigation found that Quadream sold phone-hacking technology with zero-click capabilities to Saudi Arabia
• Paragon Solutions – a new digital intelligence firm with American backing from Battery Ventures
  • Claims that their product can give police access to encrypted instant messaging communications (e.g. WhatsApp) and promises to stay on the phone even after rebooting it 
  • Co-founder is the former commander of Unit 8200, Israel’s NSA equivalent, Ehud Schneorson