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Last week, Apple warned users in 110 countries about potential attacks using commercial spyware. Human rights activists and security experts agree that this wave of alerts was unusually large.
Apple representatives are not disclosing the number of users who received these alerts. It is only known that the company first began sending such alerts in late 2021 and has since repeatedly notified potential victims of cyberattacks in more than 150 countries.
These alerts concern the use of commercial spyware, which is typically used for targeted attacks. Typically, the targets of such hacks are journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats, who are targeted because of their work or status.
Apple emphasizes that it sends out such alerts only when it has a high degree of confidence that a user has indeed been targeted, and therefore should not be ignored. The company does not name the possible masterminds or perpetrators of such attacks, nor does it link the alerts to specific hacking groups or countries.
Apple doesn't disclose the specific indicators that trigger alerts, as this information could help spyware developers adapt their tools and tactics. Mohammed Al-Maskati, head of digital security at Access Now,
told TechCrunch
that Apple's latest alerts have attracted a record number of people seeking help: 30-40% more than usual. John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at The Citizen Lab, confirmed to reporters that they hadn't previously seen such a large number of public reports from various countries about Apple alerts. He noted, however, that only a small percentage of users openly report receiving such notifications, meaning the actual number of affected users could be significantly higher.
However, reporters believe there may be another reason why users are reporting the alerts en masse. This year, Apple expanded the delivery methods for these alerts: they now appear on the iPhone's lock screen and in Settings, are sent to the email address associated with your Apple account, and are also displayed on your account page in the browser. This makes these messages harder to miss or ignore.
Recipients of the notifications are advised to update their system as soon as possible, protect their device with a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID, enable two-factor authentication and Stolen Device Protection, install apps only from trusted sources, and avoid opening suspicious links and attachments.
The company also recommends activating Lockdown Mode , an enhanced security mode designed specifically for users at risk of becoming victims of sophisticated targeted attacks.
Apple representatives are not disclosing the number of users who received these alerts. It is only known that the company first began sending such alerts in late 2021 and has since repeatedly notified potential victims of cyberattacks in more than 150 countries.
These alerts concern the use of commercial spyware, which is typically used for targeted attacks. Typically, the targets of such hacks are journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats, who are targeted because of their work or status.
Apple emphasizes that it sends out such alerts only when it has a high degree of confidence that a user has indeed been targeted, and therefore should not be ignored. The company does not name the possible masterminds or perpetrators of such attacks, nor does it link the alerts to specific hacking groups or countries.
Apple doesn't disclose the specific indicators that trigger alerts, as this information could help spyware developers adapt their tools and tactics. Mohammed Al-Maskati, head of digital security at Access Now,
told TechCrunch
that Apple's latest alerts have attracted a record number of people seeking help: 30-40% more than usual. John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at The Citizen Lab, confirmed to reporters that they hadn't previously seen such a large number of public reports from various countries about Apple alerts. He noted, however, that only a small percentage of users openly report receiving such notifications, meaning the actual number of affected users could be significantly higher.
However, reporters believe there may be another reason why users are reporting the alerts en masse. This year, Apple expanded the delivery methods for these alerts: they now appear on the iPhone's lock screen and in Settings, are sent to the email address associated with your Apple account, and are also displayed on your account page in the browser. This makes these messages harder to miss or ignore.
Recipients of the notifications are advised to update their system as soon as possible, protect their device with a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID, enable two-factor authentication and Stolen Device Protection, install apps only from trusted sources, and avoid opening suspicious links and attachments.
The company also recommends activating Lockdown Mode , an enhanced security mode designed specifically for users at risk of becoming victims of sophisticated targeted attacks.