Apple Warns iPhone Users About Mercenary Spyware Attacks
Apple has issued a new warning to iPhone users in 92 countries about mercenary spyware attacks. Find out more about the threat and the risks associated with it.
- Apple has issued threat notifications to iPhone users in 92 countries over the threat of mercenary spyware attacks.
- Numerous tech firms have sent out warnings about the growing activities of state-sponsored threat actors with multiple national elections around the corner.
Apple is issuing alerts to iPhone users worldwide about the threat of mercenary spyware attacks. The company sent email warnings to iPhone owners in 92 countries about these remotely enabled threats, which target people based on their position or occupation. The tech giant also updated its support page to provide details on threat notifications and mercenary spyware.
While most iPhone users are unlikely to be targeted by mercenary spyware attacks, those targeted could have their devices controlled remotely, enabling the theft of sensitive information. These attacks are usually carried out by nation-state-sponsored bad actors who seek to compromise individuals such as politicians, journalists, and activists. While these attacks are comparatively rare, Apple sends related notifications multiple times every year, covering iPhone users in over 150 countries.
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The threat of mercenary spyware can be quite severe, considering that it can self-destruct, is equipped with zero-day exploits, and uses sophisticated techniques to keep itself hidden. These attacks can be significantly dangerous, such as NSO Group’s Pegasus. Attackers can read emails, eavesdrop on calls, and access applications on the phone screen.
The warnings this time are particularly significant as multiple nations are preparing for national and regional elections in the coming months. Consequently, several tech companies have warned about the growing potential of state-sponsored spyware attacks to sway electoral results. The attacks need to be mitigated via the latest software updates and forensic support, which can reduce risks for iPhone users in the long run.
What best practices do you use to mitigate the threat of spyware attacks? Let us know your thoughts on LinkedIn, X, or Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!
Image source: Shutterstock
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