Apple has issued a stark warning to iPhone users across 100 countries, alerting them of potential exposure to mercenary spyware. In a message sent directly to affected users on Wednesday, the company said their devices were likely targeted in sophisticated attacks. The warning noted that these assaults were attempting to compromise iPhones remotely and silently, without the users’ knowledge.
While Apple did not disclose who was behind the attacks, the company referred to the perpetrators as “mercenary spyware attackers,” a term typically used for private companies that develop and sell surveillance tools to governments or other entities. This type of spyware is known for its ability to exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems to access data, monitor activity, and even take control of devices.
This latest wave of alerts is part of Apple’s ongoing threat notification programme, which has been running since 2021. Since then, Apple has notified users in over 150 countries about similar threats. The company said these warnings are meant to help users who may be individually targeted because of who they are or what they do, such as journalists, activists, and members of civil society.
Apple emphasised that these attacks are exceptionally well-funded and typically target a very small number of users worldwide. However, the tools used are powerful enough to bypass standard security measures, making them a serious risk for those affected. In its message, Apple advised recipients to take the warning seriously and provided guidance through its support platform to help secure their devices.
Security experts believe this may be linked to surveillance technology created by companies like NSO Group. The Pegasus spyware, developed by NSO, has previously been used to target high-profile individuals. Apple has taken legal action against the company and has continued strengthening iOS security in response.
The company has not shared details on how it detects these attacks, noting the need to avoid alerting the attackers. However, it stated that its warnings are based on internal threat intelligence and investigations.
Apple urges all users, especially those in high-risk roles, to keep their devices up to date, use strong passwords, and enable features like Lockdown Mode, which adds extra protection from targeted attacks.
