-xl.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1075&ssl=1 "Apple sends warnings about mercenary spyware attacks on iOS TechTricks365")
Apple has warned some users of a mercenary spyware attack on iOS.
Apple has issued warnings to select iPhone users, whom the company believes may have been targeted by mercenary spyware.
In 2021, Apple announced it would alert iOS users to state-sponsored spyware attacks that it detects. Since then, the iPhone maker has sent such notifications on multiple occasions, often notifying users in more than 90 countries.
Apple has now issued another alert, according to a TechCrunch report published on Wednesday. Specifically, warnings were received by Dutch political activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek and Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino, among others. Apple reportedly alerted users across 100 countries, saying that they were the targets of mercenary spyware.
“Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple Account,” says the alert, which also includes the user’s correct Apple Account information.
“This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do,” it continues. “Although it’s never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning — please take it seriously.”
Apple doesn’t disclose or explain how it detects such activity, as doing so would help attackers adapt their behavior to avoid detection in the future. The company doesn’t attribute attacks to a particular government or entity, either, as it simply informs users of “mercenary spyware.” Previous warnings issued by the company outright referenced “state-sponsored” attacks, but that is not the case with Wednesday’s notification.
Aside from these alerts, Apple has a dedicated support document, which details the measures users can take to protect themselves against mercenary spyware. The company recommends all users update their iOS devices to the latest operating system version, which is iOS 18.4.1 at the time of writing.
The iOS 18.4.1 update fixed two actively exploited vulnerabilities, allowing for better security. Users who received the mercenary spyware notification, meanwhile, should activate Lockdown mode as a secondary security measure. Apple also recommends seeking expert assistance from the Digital Security Helpline at the nonprofit Access Now.
Similarly, the company offers general advice on protecting yourself from security issues through a page on the Apple website. There is also much that AppleInsider recommends doing for such protection.
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