According to an investigation that was conducted by CNN-IBN on Tuesday revealed that a spyware-laden app known as “Smesh App” used by Pakistani’s to snoop on Indian Military personnel.
About the App –
- The app was mainly used to troop crucial information and also counterterrorism operations. It was used to access the smartphones of the Indian Army.
- The app was available on Google play store that could be deployed on smartphones and even desktops.
- After the investigation, the app now seems to be removed from the play store.
- The personal computers of Indian soldiers were also infected by the app Smesh App.
- The CNN-IBN investigated that the Pakistani agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was using this malicious software to tap smartphones of military personnel.
- Once the app was installed, it was used to steal all tracking movements, phone calls, text messages, all stored information and even photographs.
- Virtually, Facebook and mobile phones account would start acting as a database.
- Therefore, the information collected was stored on a server which was located in Germany and was hosted by a man based out of Karachi.
- The app also enabled the third party to have access to personal information such as text messages, phone history and even photographs stored on the compromised device.
- According to the report, it claims that the app was especially used by Pakistani handlers to access information mainly regarding troop movement after the terror attack on the IAF base in Pathankot in January 2016.
- Fake Facebook profiles were set up and the spyware was deployed by luring Facebook accounts via honey traps which were set by the Pakistani intelligence leading to connecting Indian military personnel unknowingly and communicating with Pakistani handlers.
- This spyware was targeted at all branches of the armed forces, including the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).