Mexican Cartels have started using Israeli Pegasus malware against opponents

[-]

dhv503@reddit

R/conservative will tell you this is a good thing.

Unfortunately, the persecution of the dissemination of “dangerous ideas” has been evolving at a rapid rate. From journalists in the Middle East to this story here, it is worrisome that within the right context, people will be fooled into thinking an all encompassing surveillance system that preemptively attacks dissidents is a good thing.

Even during the BLM protests, there were some rumors that police were using similar tactics to track down protest organizers; in LA during the immigration riots, you had military planes flying over with technology that gives them the ability to tag phones in a certain area.

[-]

OsakaSeafoodConcrn@reddit

Instead of attacking the "conservatives," why not look at the entity that is dividing you and them? Fairly certain many of the conservatives would disagree with the gov coming after whistleblowers/etc.

If only the people of this country could see how they have been intentionally and maliciously divided by bad actors and those tasked with preventing shit shit from happening. It wasn't like this in the 1990s. I had many good "wack job liberal" friends and it was nothing serious and we could all laugh at each other in a non-hurtful way. At the end of the day we're still friends.

Maybe the people of this country could unite with a list of grievances that aren't caused by the "pink haired lesbian liberal" or the "white trash MAGA" ?

>fucked up housing market

>fucked up economy that is borderline hyper-inflation

>weaponization of the gov against liberals and conservatives

> mass media propaganda outlets (fox new/cnn) intentionally fanning the flames of division in this country

>wars for Israel--and them controlling our foreign policy

>fucked up medical system/healthcare that's unaffordable

>dead middle class

There, I have officially pissed off every single conservative and liberal. Downvote me into oblivion for trying to bridge the gap.

[-]

dhv503@reddit

“Fairly certain many of the conservatives would disagree with the gov coming after whistleblowers”

Most of them would advocate to sending those whistleblowers to El Salvador.

I know real conservatives who were all about fiscal responsibilities and were ok with dissenting with Trump with things that didn’t make sense. A lot of them fell in line with what’s going on.

Similar to Obama with the kids in cages; a lot of democrats fell in line with that.

I’m not here to do whataboutism though. So I’m sorry you feel like I attacked you or the people you associate with.

[-]

OsakaSeafoodConcrn@reddit

And furthermore:

As a (now) impartial observer to this shit show of a country...

Are you old enough to remember when the Obama regime weaponized the 3-letter agencies against the conservatives who were doing nothing more than expressing their dislike for the obvious division/etc he brought to the table?

Well the Trump regime is now using those same 3-letter agencies to come after the liberals who oppose his masters in Israel and whoever else has their hand up his compromised asshole.

Meanwhile...the violation of our god-given rights has not stopped.

[-]

dhv503@reddit

I think you’re a little too sensitive to things because I’m basically saying the same thing you are; the thing you had the most issue was me saying “r/conservative thinks this is a good thing”. That’s the equivalent of your example of “joking around”. I’m just saying, because you seem intent on educating someone who’s already in that realm of thinking.

[-]

OsakaSeafoodConcrn@reddit

Oh, apologies then.

[-]

OsakaSeafoodConcrn@reddit

or the people you associate with

What are you trying to imply by saying this? That's a very odd thing to say.

So I’m sorry you feel like I attacked you

You are trapped in the toxic mindset of "us vs. them." I was trying to show you a different way of thinking.

Most of them would advocate to sending those whistleblowers to El Salvador.

"Us vs. them" mentality. The only reason they advocate this is because their t.v. sets have told them so. Much like the liberals do the same.

Circling back to:

So I’m sorry you feel like I attacked you or the people you associate with.

Is a centrist position so foreign and alien to you? I ask because I notice the same reaction when I say similar things (as I said to you) to the dumbfuck MAGA retards.

Perhaps, juuuuust perhaps, the enemy isn't the white trash redneck MAGA idiot. And I say the same thing to the MAGA guy but in reverse.

I just want the fucking middle class back and the de-weaponization of the government against the American people (both left and right).

Those are my only two wishes.

[-]

Educational-Lab5625@reddit

The cartels are inside the military and the Mexican government. How do you think they got the licenses and software?

[-]

Bilalin@reddit

My question is why tf has Apple not patched Pegasus. Everybody knows it exists. Makes me think they’re in on it

[-]

LocationAcademic1731@reddit

So Pegasus can sell the cartel’s data to the US govt or the other way around? Or play both sides? I guess whomever pays best, right?

[-]

brucebay@reddit

this is the onky reason an ally would provide cyber weapons other the enemy of its allies. of course never mind the same tools ca be used against USA by cartels, but never mind that. we are talking about a somcalled ally that sink an American ship in cold blood and told America to *mind it's own business and hide this* for more than 50 years.

[-]

No_Complex2964@reddit

They really didn’t tell us off like that lol. Say what you want about the uss liberty incident and I’m all for hating Israel but they officially apologized and paid over 80 million dollars in damages and compensation to the familys. I still think it was deliberate though don’t get me wrong

[-]

Guachito@reddit

Oh wow, they apologized. It's all good guys.

[-]

No_Complex2964@reddit

That’s not what I’m saying. Fuck Israel for what they did. But the guy I was responding to acted like Israel just stuck there nose up at us and said fuck us.

[-]

Guachito@reddit

They just atta ked our ship, but not with a fuck us attitude, right?

[-]

poolplayer32285@reddit

What country is known for their spyware?

[-]

ChaosAnalyst@reddit

It seems pretty straightforward how they are using it. Shell companies formed by cartel-friendly Mexican intelligence agencies.

[-]

ytman@reddit

So we can get Pegasus then?

Lets get it.

[-]

Adesrael@reddit

Very interesting. The company that runs pegasus should have a list of everyone they sell to and technically they have the ability to shut the software externally, so why haven't they. 🤔

[-]

BAbe_Linc0ln@reddit

Pegasus was created by the Israeli NSO Group and has famously been used by many nefarious nation-states for human rights abuses. The Wikipedia article lists them.

If you’re curious on a rundown of cyberweapons, the history of their development, the state of the arms race today, and the many potential catastrophes they could enable, I highly recommend the book This is How They Tell Me the World Ends by Nicole Perloth. Though, be warned, the book is horrifying, and you will lose sleep.

[-]

InspectionAgitated20@reddit

As someone going into the Army doing cybersecurity, this is probably essential reading, isn’t it?

[-]

Guachito@reddit

The first thing you should look for is how to maintain OPSEC so you don't paint a bullseye on your back. You will become the target of cyber criminals that will see you as an easy exploit to gain access to secure networks. The human element is the weakest link in cyber security. As you have just proven with your comment. If I was your superior and saw this, I would send you to infantry.

[-]

BAbe_Linc0ln@reddit

I saw the original commenter deleted their comment because of this, and that made me sad.

OP - when you join the army, you’ll be given training on the job, and they’ll make it clear what the expectations are of you. Further, they’ll train you on how to maintain personal cybersecurity more effectively than u/Gauchito, myself, or likely any other civilian.

This guy is trying to sound cool because he googled OPSEC. There are a ton of people out there working in cybersecurity, and as long as you’re not tethering your Reddit account to your personal identity and you’re able to spot phishing attempts, you’ll be fine.

u/Gauchito’s comment of “I would send you to infantry” is both stupid and needlessly aggressive. The original commenter is dedicating their career to difficult work that needs to be done; u/Gauchito is being an asshole by grandstanding on a social media platform.

[-]

Guachito@reddit

The infantry part was a joke. You are the one grandstanding here. And I am not trying to sound cool. I am an 31337 hax0r!!!

[-]

BAbe_Linc0ln@reddit

Stop backpedaling by trying to claim something was a joke when you clearly didn’t label it as such. You got called out for your bullshit, and now you’re trying to minimize yourself to save face. Stop.

[-]

Guachito@reddit

What are you even talking about? I meant everything I said. And the infantry thing was a joke. I would fire him.i have no idea what I would be facing face about. And I have no idea what your problem is. You have some issues to work on.

[-]

NetwatchTerminal66@reddit

I reiterate, you have no idea how any of this works, and you really shut up. Stop doubling down on the stupid shit, eat the L, and walk away.

[-]

Guachito@reddit

I think you forgot to log back into your alt, Captain Dbag.

[-]

NetwatchTerminal66@reddit

No, I didn’t. I reiterate this point I made to you earlier.

You clearly have no idea how any of this works. You are not in the military. You are not in cyber. You Googled “OPSEC” five hours ago and now think you’re qualified to lecture people on the topic You’re not. You’re a civilian LARPer playing soldier on Reddit.

Your suggestion that someone could be “sent to infantry” because of a Reddit comment is laughable. That’s not how Army MOS assignment works. Once you’re through AIT, you don’t just get “fired” and tossed to the line because you hurt someone’s feelings. It’s a real life job in a real chain of command, with standards, contracts, training pipelines, and actual leadership. And let’s be real: you wouldn’t even make it through MEPS. Your drug history alone would DQ you from holding a clearance. You are the exact kind of civilian that MEPS filters out. You chased off a young, motivated future soldier who’s actually raised their right hand and is eager to serve the people of the United States—something you’ll never do.

Do yourself a favor. Log off and touch grass.

[-]

NetwatchTerminal66@reddit

Lmfao. That’s not how it works. Stand down, keyboard warrior.

[-]

BAbe_Linc0ln@reddit

I can’t be certain, but I think it would provide some great context! And, as another American, thank you for your service, especially in such a critical and understaffed role in cybersecurity. This book scared the bejeezus out of me - thank you for doing the work that helps me sleep at night.

[-]

InspectionAgitated20@reddit

I've fast tracked it to the top of my reading list! Thank you for the recommendation! Just have to finish Bucannan et al.'s The New Fire: War, Peace, and Democracy in the Age of Al.

ETA: Babe_Lincoln inspired me to repost this. I will not be lectured by some schmuck online who only today discovered the acronym OPSEC. I’ve got real people around me who’ll tell me if I ever cross a line.

[-]

InspectionAgitated20@reddit

I've fast tracked it to the top of my reading list! Thank you for the recommendation! Just have to finish Bucannan et al.'s The New Fire: War, Peace, and Democracy in the Age of Al.

[-]

InspectionAgitated20@reddit

I’ve fast tracked it to the top of my reading list! Thank you for the recommendation! Just have to finish Bucannan et al.’s The New Fire: War, Peace, and Democracy in the Age of AI.

[-]

JumpinJackHTML5@reddit

Same reason the fight against undocumented immigrants never includes going scorched Earth on the companies that hire them.

[-]

OrinThane@reddit

Have you by chance heard of the CIA’s connection to the American drug market?

[-]

4chanhasbettermods@reddit

There's a lot more connections between Israel and the cartels than just this.

[-]

mayorofdumb@reddit

Exploding Pegasus, they now have an extra set of friends. Maybe they're actually doing a triple opsec at the best of the US.

It's 2025, there's nowhere to hide anymore, the game is harder to play now. This used to be more clandestine, now it's half and half.

[-]

lavapig_love@reddit

Because they're waiting until someone sells Pegasus to Iran, Hezbollah or Hamas. And then hell breaks loose.

[-]

MezcalFlame@reddit

💰

[-]

nowayyoudidthis@reddit

Breaking news: Criminal organizations with unlimited cash can buy high-end tech just like they buy weapons, politicians, and entire towns. Shocked, truly.

[-]

BigJSunshine@reddit

The epoch times is not a credible news source. Its a crazy falugong backed conspiracy based bird cage liner. The word “news” is more relevant to my 6 year old niece’s family newsletter than the epoch times.

And no, I don’t know how to spell falungong, sorry

[-]

cantfightbiologyever@reddit

Anything is for sale. I thought we’d know that by now?

[-]

CenturyLinkIsCheeks@reddit

greatest ally doing greatest ally things

[-]

WeekendQuant@reddit

The US wants the cartels knocking on their doorstep. The bootleggers and the Baptists theory never fails. If it was our software we'd give it to the cartels.

[-]

Sensitive_Day6416@reddit

what a helll

[-]

Deletious@reddit

So american pegasus malware

[-]

ripndipp@reddit

Well hackers are not known for their ethics so it makes sense. Cartels have access to insane amounts of money and that's all you need to get your hands on Pegasus

[-]

abdallha-smith@reddit

Israelis hackers, so no ethics just misery and suffering.

No morals

[-]

throwawayt44c@reddit

Real talk: them having this is a good thing because it lets cartels weaken each other as most of their targets are probably in similar lines of work.

[-]

Super_Carrot_1768@reddit

U.S has had Israel do its dirty work for years in the Middle East and Africa, wouldn’t suprise me if funding the cartels is for American interests to distablize the country since the development by AMLO and Shienbaum in the last decade undermines unfair U.S/Mexico trade deals.

[-]

wr003@reddit

They had their own private telecommunications networks many many years ago.I could only imagine the technology they have access to now.There people in the government most likely have access to it.They just pay them there cutt and boom they have access to it.Every government has corruption.Everyone turns a blind eye to it because once you become a liability there’s only option for you next.

[-]