Apple Warns iPhone Users in 110 Countries: A New Batch of Mercenary Spyware Notifications Just Went Out

Summary

Apple sent a fresh round of threat notifications on August 13 to targeted users across 110 countries, alerting them that their iPhones may have been compromised by mercenary spyware. The delivery mechanism got a meaningful upgrade this time: in addition to email and account alerts, Apple now pushes a warning banner directly to the Lock Screen and into Settings on affected devices, making the notification impossible to ignore. Mercenary spyware is purpose-built surveillance software typically sold to governments and state actors, used to target journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats. The tools involved are far more sophisticated than the kind of malware that affects everyday users. Apple’s advice for anyone who receives one of these warnings: enable Lockdown Mode immediately, update to the latest iOS version, change your Apple Account password, and contact a digital security organization, such as Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline.

Why it matters

Apple sends these notifications several times a year. The vast majority of iPhone users will never receive one. But the move to on-device Lock Screen alerts signals that Apple wants anyone who is targeted to see the warning instantly rather than find it days later in their email. If anyone in your household ever gets that notification, they should stop and act on it right then.

HTD Says

Apple pushed a new wave of mercenary spyware warnings this week and upgraded the alert to appear directly on the iPhone Lock Screen, so if you are ever targeted, you will not be able to miss it. I have to say, this is NOT the type of messaging warning that you want to get or ignore. I’m sure the user base receiving this is relatively small, but regardless, the fact that these types of warnings have to be sent out is concerning.

This almost sounds like something from a Gray Man novel, and only counterintelligence or clandestine operatives would likely receive such a warning. But it does circle back to several words of advice I always give my friends, family, and coworkers. First, always try to keep your device’s operating system updated to the latest version it supports. Second, be wary of phishing scams, strange text links, unknown WiFi networks, and the like.

If you are part of the high-risk audience targeted by this type of surveillance, there are ways to further lock down your smartphones. If you are among the larger low-risk base, it is still prudent to follow safe and smart update, upgrade, and security protocols.

Source:

TechCrunch