Apple has sent out notices to folks who may have been targeted with government-sponsored spyware attacks, reports TechCrunch.
The article says an Italian journalist and a Dutch activist said that they’ve received notifications from Apple via iMessage and email. From the email: Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple Account. 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.
The tech giant says the notification is being sent to targeted users in 100 countries. If you’ve received such an alert, you should enable Lockdown Mode and make sure your iPhone’s operating system has been updated to iOS 18.4.1. Also, you shouldn’t open links or attachments from unexpected or unknown senders.
Also from Apple’s notification: We are unable to provide more information about what caused us to send you this notification, as that may help mercenary spyware attacker adapt their behavior to evade detection in the future. Apple threat notifications like this one will never ask you to click any links, install an app or profile, or provide your Apple Account password or verification code by email or over the phone.
Since 2021, Apple has been regularly sending such notifications, reaching users in over 150 countries, according to a support document on the company’s website.
