Apple has notified users in 100 countries of an attempted spyware attack

Apple has once again sent out warnings about targeted spyware attacks. This time notices went out to iPhone owners in 100 countries they’re talking about suspected “hired” cyber spies trying to remotely access the devices.

Journalists and public figures have been targeted

The recipients included Italian journalist Ciro Pellegrino and Dutch political activist Eva Vlaardingebroek, who publicly reported receiving a disturbing notice from Apple. It referred to a targeted attempt to compromise their devices with hired spyware.

“Apple has detected a targeted spyware attack on your device. It is likely related to your identity or professional activities,” reads the letter published by Pellegrino.

The scope of the attack is broader than it appears

According to the text of the email the reporter received, Apple sent such notifications to more than 100 countries, although the total number of affected countries could be as high as 150. The users who received notifications were the ones the company believes have been targeted by “mercenary attacks” carried out by advanced spyware.

Apple began tracking and disclosing such attacks in 2024. These threats are different in that they are not aimed at mass hacks, but rather at specific people – most often journalists, political activists, and human rights activists.

What is known about the origin of the attacks?”

Although Apple is not naming the spyware developers, WhatsApp previously reported that a similar attack on employees of Italian publication Fanpage was linked to Israeli company Paragon Solutions. In early April, there were also reports of attacks on human rights groups, including via messengers WhatsApp and Signal.

It has not been officially determined who is behind the latest series of attacks, and it is unclear whether this is a single campaign or part of a broader cyber operation.

Apple asks to be taken seriously

The company emphasizes that while it cannot guarantee 100 percent accuracy in identifying attacks, the level of confidence in these notifications is “high.” Apple recommends that recipients of the notifications do not fail to strengthen their devices. Apple recommends that recipients of the notifications immediately beef up the security of their devices, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and limit the use of unsafe apps.

The story Apple notifies users in 100 countries of spyware attack attempts was first published on ITZine.ru.