Apple issues urgent ‘spying attack’ warning to iPhone owners in 91 countries and blames highly-paid ‘mercenary’ group

APPLE has warned some iPhone users in India and 91 other countries of a potential spyware attack.

In the alert, Apple says the iPhone users were potential victims of a “mercenary spyware attack.”

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“ALERT: Apple detected a targeted mercenary spyware attack against your iPhone,” reads the threat notification, per The Indian Express.

The notifications were sent after Apple reportedly discovered that attackers tried to “remotely compromise the iPhone.”

Apple’s Threat Notifications are designed to inform and assist users who may be the target of mercenary spyware attackers.

The tech giant’s language previously used the term “state-sponsored attacks” – but that term has since been replaced with “mercenary spyware attacks”.

WHAT ARE MERCENARY SPYWARE ATTACKS?

Mercenary spyware attacks are more complex than regular cybercriminal activity and consumer malware.

That’s because they employ extensive resources to target a very small number of specific individuals and their devices.

“Mercenary spyware attacks cost millions of dollars and often have a short shelf life, making them much harder to detect and prevent,”
Apple noted.

“The vast majority of users will never be targeted by such attacks,” the company added.

However, if you are one of the few who get targeted by such an attack, Apple can help in two ways:

• A Threat Notification is displayed at the top of the page after the user signs into appleid.apple.com.
• Apple sends an email and iMessage notification to the email addresses and phone numbers associated with the user’s Apple ID.

If you have received an Apple threat notification, Apple strongly recommends you reach out to expert help.

This includes the rapid-response emergency security assistance provided by the Digital Security Helpline at the nonprofit Access Now.

Security assistance is available to threat notification recipients 24 hours a day, seven days a week through their website.

“Outside organizations do not have any information about what caused Apple to send a threat notification, but they can assist targeted users with tailored security advice,” Apple said.

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TIPS FOR SAFETY

All users can work to protect themselves from general cybercriminals by following these tips:

• Update devices to the latest software, as that includes the latest security fixes
• Protect devices with a passcode
• Use two-factor authentication and a strong password for Apple ID
• Install apps from the App Store
• Use strong and unique passwords online
• Don’t click on links or attachments from unknown senders

To help protect users further, Apple launched a tool dubbed “Lockdown Mode” in 2022.

WHAT IS LOCKDOWN MODE?

Lockdown Mode can give users “extreme optional protection for the very small number of users who face grave, targeted threats to their digital security,” Apple explained.

Once the tool is turned on, it can block messages, disable complex web technologies, and prevent incoming calls.

Perhaps most notably, it can halt wired connections with a computer or accessory while the device is locked.

HOW TO ENABLE LOCKDOWN MODE

To use Lockdown Mode, head to the Settings app > tap Privacy & Security > under Security, tap Lockdown Mode.

From there, tap Turn On Lockdown Mode > tap Turn On Lockdown Mode > tap Turn On & Restart.

You will then be prompted to enter your device passcode.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk