Apple has issued a second wave of threat notifications this year, alerting iPhone users in 98 countries of potential mercenary spyware attacks. This follows a similar warning in April, which reached users in 92 nations. Since 2021, Apple has consistently issued these notifications, reaching users in over 150 countries.
The tech giant has not disclosed the identities of the attackers or the specific countries affected this time. However, the warning message emphasizes that the attack is likely targeted based on the user’s profile or activities, urging them to take the threat seriously.
This is not the first time Indian users have received such notifications. In October, several journalists and politicians in India were warned, and Amnesty International later confirmed the presence of Pegasus spyware on the iPhones of prominent Indian journalists.
Apple’s reluctance to reveal details about its threat identification process stems from concerns that such information could aid attackers in evading detection. Interestingly, Apple has shifted its terminology from “state-sponsored” to “mercenary spyware attacks” since last year, highlighting the growing concern of private entities using sophisticated spyware for malicious purposes.
The company reiterates that it relies solely on internal threat intelligence and investigations to detect these attacks. While the specifics remain undisclosed, this proactive approach by Apple demonstrates its commitment to protecting users from sophisticated cyber threats.
