Apple Alerts iPhone Owners Targeted by Government-Sponsored Spyware Attacks
Recent reports have revealed that Apple has been notifying iPhone owners who were targeted by government-sponsored spyware attacks. The alerts, which are typically reserved for high-profile individuals such as politicians and celebrities, have now been sent to ordinary users.
The warning message reads: “Apple detected a targeted mercenary spyware attack against your iPhone.” It warns users that the attack may be targeting them specifically due to their identity or activities. The message advises turning on the Lockdown Mode feature and updating the iOS software of a hacked iPhone to iOS 18.4.1, as well as being cautious when opening links or attachments from unexpected senders.
Apple's notification is not an isolated incident. TechCrunch reports that other technology peers, such as Google and Meta-owned WhatsApp, have also sent similar notifications to their users who became targets of sophisticated spyware attacks.
The latest alert from Apple comes as a surprise to many iPhone owners, who are not typically associated with high-risk profiles. However, the company has previously issued such alerts to high-profile individuals in the past.
Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino recently received an Apple alert after being targeted by a government-sponsored spyware attack. He reported that he was informed about the incident via both an email and a text message, with the notification confirming that affected users were located in 100 countries.
Pellegrino's experience highlights the sophistication of these attacks, which can be used to gain full control over a smartphone without any user intervention or knowledge. The type of spyware attack used against him is not publicly confirmed by Apple.
Previous attacks on journalists and activists have been linked to Israeli spyware companies such as Paragon Solutions and NSO Group. These companies offer expensive tools, including the multi-million dollar surveillance tool Pegasus, which can extract data from online services like Google Drive or iCloud via infected iPhones.
The acknowledgment of these attacks has prompted Amnesty International to release a free tool for iPhone owners to check if their phone has been infected with Pegasus spyware.
"We are unable to provide more information about what caused us to send you this notification, as that may help mercenary spyware attacker adapt their behavior to evade detection in the future," says Apple. The company warns users not to click any links, install an app or profile, or provide their Apple account password or verification code by email or over the phone.
Apple's support page states that the company has so far notified iPhone owners in over 150 countries who were targeted by mercenary spyware attacks. The warning message is a clear indication of the growing threat posed by these sophisticated attacks, and users are advised to take it seriously.