Apple warning users about a mercenary spyware attack on iPhones
William GallagherApple has been warning users of a spyware attack on iPhones
Users in 92 countries worldwide have had notifications from Apple warning that they may be victims of a severe and sophisticated iPhone hack.
In November 2021, Apple announced that it would alert iPhone users to state-sponsored spyware attacks that it detects, and it has done so. According to Reuters, though, the latest warning concerns a rarer and reportedly much more highly sophisticated attack.
In a notification seen by Reuters, Apple has told certain users in 92 countries that they have potentially been victims of a "mercenary spyware attack." The attack is an attempt to "remotely compromise the iPhone."
It's known that India is one of the 92 countries affected, but there is no detail of any of the others. Neither Apple nor any of the countries' governments have commented.
Separately, however, India's government did previously attack Apple over its similar warnings in October 2023. In that case, the warnings chiefly went to journalists and opposition politicians in the country.
Marko Zivkovic
Andrew Orr
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
2 Comments
Stacks likely coming from:
USA - we have an election coming up. It’s not just other countries trying to interfere.
China - known for this
Russia - known for this
Ulraine - known for this
India - ditto
Iran - ditto
North Korea - ditto
all at the government level.
yay
best to use security practices even in the operation of your already logged in devices and operate as if you’ve already been compromised. With the number of back doors/vulnerabilities that pop up, you likely already have been.