- Apple reportedly notified some iPhone users in 92 countries that they were targeted by spyware.
- The alerts go to people Apple believes were targeted by spyware, such as politicians, activists, and journalists.
- Apple recommends contacting third-party experts for “tailored security advice” if you get the notification.
There’s one alert that you really don’t want to get on your iPhone.
The warning that your phone may have been targeted in a spyware attack is sure to send a chill down your spine — especially if it’s likely because of who you are.
That’s the warning that some iPhone users in 92 countries received on Wednesday, TechCrunch reported. Apple has sent out similar notifications in the past.
“Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID,” the notification read, according to TechCrunch.
“This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it’s never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning — please take it seriously.”
Apple does not share what exactly prompts threat notifications or how those threats are detected, according to its support page, as that “may help mercenary spyware attackers adapt their behavior to evade detection in the future.”
Since the warnings were sent simultaneously, it’s not exactly clear when the possible targeting of various users occurred. Apple notes that it sends threat notifications “multiple times a year.”
The tech giant says that, since 2021, it has notified users in over 150 countries of potential spyware attacks. The most common targets are journalists, activists, politicians, diplomats, and other figures of influence.
If you do get Apple’s spyware notification, there aren’t many options that are recommended. But Apple “strongly suggests” that users contact third-party experts, such as the nonprofit Digital Security Helpline.
“Outside organisations do not have any information about what caused Apple to send a threat notification, but they can assist targeted users with tailored security advice,” says Apple.
Last year, several independent Russian media outlets made headlines after Apple warned they were being targeted by a “state-sponsored” spyware attack — reportedly, a Russian government program with the ability to hack iPhones by utilizing NSO Group’s “zero click” Pegasus spyware, which can be sent over iMessage.
Apple seems to have dropped the “state-sponsored” warning in this latest wave of notifications, though the company notes that “individually targeted attacks of such exceptional cost and complexity have historically been associated with state actors, including private companies developing mercenary spyware on their behalf.”
Apple did not immediately return a request for comment before publication.
