Apple has issued another round of spyware warnings to iPhone users in 98 countries this week. This comes just three months after a similar alert in April, marking the second notification of its kind this year.
On Wednesday, numerous iPhone users reported receiving these warnings and shared their experiences along with screenshots on social media.
“Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID,” read the notifications sent from threats-notification@apple.com. “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.”
Apple has been issuing these types of warnings since 2021, but the term “mercenary spyware attacks” has become more common in recent notifications. Previous alerts from Apple described these threats as “state-sponsored,” a term that no longer appears in the latest warnings.
The latest notifications seem to have primarily targeted individuals in journalism and news media, based on social media posts from those affected. Apple’s message underscores the importance of the warnings due to the specific nature of the attacks and the professional roles of the targets.
The April notification and the recent alert reflect a growing concern over the use of sophisticated spyware aimed at specific individuals. Apple’s continued vigilance in sending these warnings highlights the persistent threat such spyware poses to iPhone users worldwide.
Apple urges recipients of these warnings to take them seriously and consider the security measures available to protect their devices and personal information. This includes keeping iOS updated, using strong passwords, and being cautious of unsolicited messages and links.
