FinFisher

FinFisher, also known as FinSpy, is a notorious malware developed by the European company FinFisher. This malicious software has been used extensively for cyber espionage, exploiting vulnerabilities in systems to infiltrate and surveil targets, often without their knowledge. The malware infects systems through suspicious downloads, emails, or websites, and once inside, it can steal personal information, disrupt operations, or hold data hostage. Companies like FinFisher and Hacking Team in Europe, along with NSO Group and Paragon in Israel, have emerged as significant players in this industry over the past 15 years. Their surveillance tools have been used to target hundreds of journalists and activists globally. Research conducted by Citizen Lab revealed that FinFisher spyware was being used by the Serbian BIA, and threat actors have used FinFisher to infect mobile phones and computers worldwide. In one notable incident, a Sydney Data Center was targeted by FinFisher spyware. The use of FinFisher has grown over time, supported by zero-day exploits, with attacks happening across multiple remote locations globally. Despite the global spread, there were indications that ISP-level FinFisher Man-in-The-Middle (MiTM) attacks could have occurred, though this remains speculative. In recent years, FinFisher faced increasing scrutiny and legal challenges. Amidst these pressures, Bloomberg reported in March 2022 that FinFisher had shut down operations and filed for bankruptcy. This followed accusations from civil rights organizations like Amnesty International, which claimed that FinFisher sold its FinSpy spyware to authoritarian governments worldwide. Despite its closure, the legacy of FinFisher continues to influence the landscape of cybersecurity and surveillance.