Apple issues massive warning to iPhone users about dangerous spyware attacks

Many iPhone users may have fallen victim to a targeted spyware attack. Apple sent an important warning message specifically to users from at least 91 countries on Wednesday.

In the news: Wednesday, April 10 at 9 pm Belgium time, Apple sent a warning to many users. “Apple has discovered that you are the target of a spyware attack by criminals attempting to remotely take over the iPhone associated with your Apple ID -xxx-,” the warning read, according to the website. TechCrunch.

• “This attack is likely to target you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it is never possible to have absolute certainty in detecting such attacks, Apple has great confidence in this warning: Please take this seriously.”
• It is currently unclear exactly what type of attack it was, how many people were affected and who was behind it. “We cannot provide more information about why we are sending you this notice because it may help spyware attackers modify their behavior to avoid detection in the future,” she said.

Spyware attacks

Apple sends such warnings several times a year, and has done so since 2021 to users from more than 150 countries. This is clear from official data.

• In October 2023, Apple sent a major warning to several journalists and politicians in India. Amnesty International later reported that it was a targeted attack with Pegasus spyware from Israeli company NSO Group. Apple initially described these attackers as “state sponsored,” but later changed this wording.

elections: Apple's security against spyware attacks is on high alert during a year in which important elections are being held in many countries. At such times there are always significantly more such attacks.