Malicious online ads infected Al Jazeera devices with spyware, reports show
Dozens of devices at Qatari news organization Al Jazeera were compromised by surveillance software delivered through manipulated online advertisements, with the campaign also targeting NATO and Nvidia personnel.
Dozens of devices belonging to staff at Qatari news network Al Jazeera were hacked after being served malicious online advertisements, according to reports by TechCrunch and Bloomberg. Bloomberg reported that two Israeli companies manipulated online ads to install surveillance software across dozens of computers at the media organization.[3][1][2]
Digital watchdog Citizen Lab identified Israeli firm Discover Tech as weaponizing standard web ads to deliver Candiru spyware to Al Jazeera devices, according to reporting shared by commentator Mario Nawfal citing Al Jazeera. The attack functioned as a zero-click exploit, meaning targets did not need to click a link; devices were infected simply by loading the ad, granting operators full access to the compromised hardware.[4][5]
The campaign reached far beyond newsrooms. The Financial Times reported that thousands of ads deployed by the same network targeted employees and officials at NATO as well as U.S. chipmaker Nvidia. Additionally, the broader operation tracked millions of regular users and probed networks within international courts and the Pentagon, while Candiru's spyware had previously been used against at least 100 journalists and dissidents across several countries.[5][4]
Key facts
- Dozens of devices and computers at Al Jazeera were hacked using manipulated online advertisements.
- Bloomberg reported that two Israeli companies manipulated web ads to deploy surveillance software on Al Jazeera computers.
- Citizen Lab identified Israeli firm Discover Tech as deploying Candiru spyware onto Al Jazeera devices via web ads.
- The spyware infected devices upon loading the ad without requiring any clicks, granting operators full device access.
- Thousands of ads run by the same network also targeted officials and personnel at NATO and U.S. chipmaker Nvidia.
- The operation tracked millions of ordinary users and probed networks inside the Pentagon and international courts.
- Candiru spyware had previously been used to surveil at least 100 dissidents, journalists, and others across multiple countries.
Sources · 5 sources
- BL
Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·
Two Israeli companies manipulated online advertisements to install surveillance software on dozens of computers at the Qatari news organization Al Jazeera https://t.co/p8nSUHerMZ
Open source - UW
unusual_whales@unusual_whalesPost on X ·
Two Israeli companies manipulated online advertisements to install surveillance software on dozens of computers at the Qatari news organization Al Jazeera, per Bloomberg
Open source - TE
TechCrunch@TechCrunchPost on X ·
The digital rights unit found evidence that dozens of devices at media organization Al Jazeera were hacked after being shown malicious online ads. https://t.co/ayiFDe9Yxi
Open source - MN
Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X ·
🇮🇱 Israeli ad CAUGHT RUNNING SPYWARE on Al Jazeera journalists devices Citizen Lab caught Israeli company Discover Tech weaponizing regular web ads to deploy Candiru spyware onto Al Jazeera devices. The scary thing about this was that reporters didn’t even need to click a link…the ad just had to load to infect the device. Once infected, the spyware could open up their devices completely. The operation went far beyond newsrooms, tracking millions of ordinary users while probing networks inside the Pentagon and international courts. Candiru’s spyware has previously been used to carry out surveillance on at least 100 journalists, dissidents and others in several countries. Source: Al Jazeera / Writer: Bri
Open source - FT
Financial Times@FTPost on X ·
Thousands of ads run by the same network that compromised devices belonging to journalists and staff at the Al Jazeera news network were also targeted at officials and employees at organisations including Nato and US chipmaker Nvidia. https://t.co/xTqwC6MVcw https://t.co/P7g3up5NBT
Open source