October 2021
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