BORIS Johnson’s computer network has been targeted by the world’s most-powerful cyber weapon in a shock security breach, researchers have claimed.
Military-grade spyware Pegasus can film users through their device’s camera, record conversations, listen to calls and can send messages.
Cyber boffins have claimed the software was discovered on a device using Number 10‘s network on July 7, 2020.
They said a similar breach also happened at the Foreign Office.
Hackers were linked to the UAE, India, Cyprus, and Jordan, a New Yorker investigation claimed.
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Several Downing Street devices were tested – including Mr Johnson’s – but officials could not establish which device was infected, it added.
Scientists are unclear about what data hackers could have had access to – but they do suspect information was taken.
Senior researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab centre John Scott-Railton said his “jaw dropped” when he uncovered the cyber attack.
He said the UK were “spectacularly burned” after “underestimating the threat from Pegasus“.
The software could have been added to devices abroad “using foreign SIM cards”, scientists suggested.
A government spokesperson said they do not comment on security matters.
Pegasus is military-grade software – which can be secretly uploaded onto a smartphone or device – and has been around since 2016.
