UK, US, Netherlands warn of Iranian spyware targeting dissidents

Key facts

• Iranian state-linked cyber actors are using a spyware family known as "CHOSEN BRICK".
• The spyware is used to steal emails, messages, and other sensitive information.
• The actors employ "spear-phishing" campaigns on messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
• The targets include dissidents, activists, and journalists.

Britain, the United States and the Netherlands on Tuesday issued a joint cybersecurity advisory detailing spyware they say is used by Iranian state-linked actors to target dissidents, activists and journalists. Britain's National Cyber Security Centre said Iranian state-linked cyber actors had used a spyware family known as "CHOSEN BRICK" to steal emails, messages and other sensitive information through "spear-phishing" campaigns on messaging platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram.