Apple warns of a 'mercenary 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.

2 Comments

9secondkox2 3138 comments · 8 Years

About 8 months ago

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.

These are the same countries constantly trying to hack my websites as well.

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.

No wonder the DOJ wants to dictate and break Apple’s privacy/security-minded business model.

inkling 774 comments · 18 Years

About 8 months ago

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.
Apple has a habit of repeating its mistakes. It went into and stayed in China's despite its repressive regime. Finally seeing the necessity of reducing its dependence on China, it moves. But where does it move to? To India, which while better still has serious problems.
While India is a multiparty democracy, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has presided over discriminatory policies and a rise in persecution affecting the Muslim population. The constitution guarantees civil liberties including freedom of expression and freedom of religion, but harassment of journalists, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other government critics has increased significantly under Modi. The BJP has increasingly used government institutions to target political opponents. Muslims, scheduled castes (Dalits), and scheduled tribes (Adivasis) remain economically and socially marginalized. —Freedom House
https://freedomhouse.org/country/india/freedom-world/2023