iWorld
Pak telecom giant to use Verimatrix Video for its digital network
NEW DELHI: Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) has been deployed by the Pakistani telecommunications provider WorldCall Telecom for DVB to secure its digital cable (DVB-C) network and to support the transition to broadcast-hybrid service delivery.
VCAS for DVB replaces WorldCall’s current security system, according to a Verimatrix release quoted by European site telecompaper.com.
VCAS for DVB is designed to secure WorldCall’s linear content library and associated revenue for broadcast services over its DVB-C network, including WorldCall Cable TV services, which offers a diverse mix of drama, thriller, action, romance, news and documentaries over 300 channels.
The service is managed via redundant head-ends in Karachi and Lahore and six regional headends in other cities of Pakistan. It is delivered using SandMartin BVA3006 HD set top boxes.
The Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) will also be using the Verimatrix solution for supporting the transition to broadcast-hybrid service delivery.
The cardless VCAS system supports future network expansion, including the addition of more advanced and flexible services, such as over-the-top (OTT) video delivery.
iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
