Apple warns iPhone users: spyware attack threat in 98 countries | Lega Nerd

Apple has issued a new series of threat notifications to iPhone users in 98 countries, warning them of potential spyware attacks. This is the second such warning campaign from the company this year, following a similar notification sent to users in 92 countries in April.

A global alarm

Since 2021, Apple has been sending these notifications regularly, reaching users in more than 150 countries, according to a support document on the company’s website. Wednesday’s notice did not reveal the attackers’ identities or the specific countries where users received the notifications.

“Apple has detected that you are the target of a mercenary spyware attack that is attempting to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID -xxx-“, the company wrote in the notice to affected customers.

“This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. While it is never possible to be absolutely certain that such attacks will be detected, Apple is very confident in this warning, and we encourage you to take it seriously.“, Apple added in the text.

Implications for users in India

Indian users are among those who have received the latest threat notifications from Apple, according to user reports. In October, Apple sent similar warnings to several journalists and politicians in the country. Human rights group Amnesty International later reported that it had discovered the presence of Pegasusa highly invasive spyware developed by theIsraeli company NSO Groupon the iPhones of prominent Indian journalists.

Security and confidentiality

In the notice to affected users, Apple emphasized the sensitive nature of its threat identification methods, warning that disclosing additional details could potentially help attackers evade future detection.

Compared to last year, Apple has also significantly changed its language, choosing to describe these incidents as “mercenary spyware attacks” instead of the term “State-sponsored” previously used. Apple has stated that it relies exclusively on “internal threat intelligence information and investigations to detect such attacks“.

What to do if you receive an alert

The company suggests that if you receive a notification from Apple about a spyware attack, it is crucial to take it seriously. Here are some recommended steps:

1. Update Your Device: make sure you have thelatest version of iOS operating system installed.
2. Enable two-factor authentication: add an extra layer of security to your Apple account.
3. Monitor suspicious behavior: Check your device for any unusual activity.
4. Contact Apple Support: If you have any doubts or need further clarification, please contact Apple Customer Support directly.