Apple recently issued spyware threat notifications to individuals it believes were targeted in a government-backed attack.
Two people have come forward so far, sharing that Apple warned them of “mercenary” spyware, likely deployed because of their identity or profession. While Apple has issued similar alerts in the past, this latest wave reportedly spans 100 countries.
Adam Boynton, Senior Security Specialist at Jamf, says that while most users shouldn’t be overly concerned about this specific incident, it serves as a reminder of threat actors’ evolving capabilities and encourages users to update their devices and enable enhanced security features.
Here’s what he says in a statement provided to Apple World Today: Apple has proactively alerted users across 100 countries of targeted spyware attacks, highlighting the sophisticated nature of modern cyber threats. The targeted recipients, including a journalist and a political activist, underscore that spyware typically aims at high-profile individuals with significant access, contacts, or influence.
While the risk to the average user remains low, this incident is a clear reminder of the evolving capabilities of threat actors and the increasing prevalence of mercenary spyware developed specifically to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities. Apple’s timely notifications demonstrate their strong commitment to user security, transparency, and advanced detection capabilities.
Jamf recommends that all users:
- Update devices promptly to the latest available operating system, ensuring protection against known vulnerabilities.
- Utilise enhanced security features such as Apple’s Lockdown Mode for high-risk environments.
- Consider additional mobile threat detection solutions to enhance visibility, detection, and protection capabilities, especially for those in high-risk roles or environments.
Amnesty International is also a good starting point for help, as they provide a list of IoCs to help identify spyware.
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