WikiLeaks releases CIA spyware, known as Athena, that targets all Windows versions from XP to 10

WikiLeaks has published details of a new piece of spyware created by the CIA. Named Athena, the spyware is able to target all Windows versions from Windows XP to Windows 10. With this piece of spyware, it can hijack an entire PC, allowing the perpetrator to steal data and send it elsewhere, such as CIAs servers, as well as delete data and perform additional infections of a PC by installing more malicious software.

Within the spyware are 2 modules. The primary module is Athena, which can attack Windows XP to Windows 10. Additionally, there’s Hera, which can attack Windows 8 to Windows 10.

The spyware was co-developed by the CIA and Siege Technologies, a New Hampshire-based cyber security company. On a post on its website, WikiLeaks said:

Once installed, the malware provides a beaconing capability (including configuration and task handling), the memory loading/unloading of malicious payloads for specific tasks and the delivery and retrieval of files to/from a specified directory on the target system. It allows the operator to configure settings during runtime (while the implant is on target) to customize it to an operation.

This is the latest in what is expected to be a flurry of leaks of exploits used by the United States’ intelligence agencies.