On Thursday, University of Toronto researchers said targeted digital advertisements delivered zero-click spyware to 45 devices used by Al Jazeera journalists, affecting iOS and Android devices without users interacting with the ads.
Citizen Lab called the campaign AdFection and said targets could be infected by loading websites or opening installed apps. The lab said an Israeli-registered advertising firm was connected to servers linked to a spyware company. It described the findings as likely the first publicly detailed technical evidence of mercenary spyware delivered through targeted ads. Wired reported that dozens of devices were infected.