Symantec has a found a spying tool active on computers around the world

Computer security experts Symantec say their researchers have uncovered a sophisticated malware tool on Windows PCs across the globe, that appears to be used for spying and data collection, reports Recode.

Named ‘Regin’, the tool is a Trojan that has infected several organizations’ and individuals’ computer systems between 2008 and 2011, and again since 2013.

The researchers added that Regin looks to have been used in an ongoing spying operation during those periods, with about most infections targeting systems in Russia and Saudi Arabia, and others in various countries including Mexico, India, Afghanistan and Iran. Interestingly enough, the US and China aren’t on the list of countries affected by Regin, thus far.

Symantec’s researchers say Regin has been developed with “considerable effort into making it highly inconspicuous,” making it hard to detect, track and understand its activities — so much so that there’s reason to believe it may be state-sponsored, but it’s not exactly clear which country may be behind the effort.

The team also says that “Regin remain undiscovered and additional functionality and versions may exist,” and that they’ll continue to post updates on future discoveries as they happen. You can read more about Regin on Symantec’s blog.

➤ Regin: Top-tier espionage tool enables stealthy surveillance [Symantec Blog, via Recode]

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