Apple Details Spyware Alerts After Warning Users in 110 Countries
Updated
Updated · CNET · Aug 14
Apple Details Spyware Alerts After Warning Users in 110 Countries
3 articles · Updated · CNET · Aug 14
Summary
Apple said users who receive its threat notifications should treat them as highly likely signs of a mercenary spyware attack and act immediately.
The company said alerts appear on the iPhone lock screen, in Settings, by email to Apple-account addresses, and on account.apple.com, while withholding detection details to avoid helping attackers evade scrutiny.
Lockdown Mode is Apple's first recommended step, followed by contacting the 24/7 Digital Security Helpline; it also urged users to install the latest software and use passcodes, biometrics and multifactor authentication.
Apple says these attacks are typically carried out by state-linked actors against politicians, journalists and activists, and it had already warned targeted users in 110 countries after sending similar alerts in 92 countries in 2024.