Apple has issued alerts to users in 92 countries, including India
New Delhi:
Months after several opposition leaders claimed they had received warning messages from “state-sponsored” hackers trying to access their iPhones, the tech giant sent a “spy-for-hire” message to users in 92 countries, including India. Software” alert. The notice was sent out late last night.
Apple’s statement about the notification also mentioned the Pegasus spyware, which sparked a political firestorm in 2021 amid accusations that opposition leaders were being spied on. Opposition parties asked the Center to clarify the issue after Pegasus developer NSO Group stated that its clients are only vetted governments and their agencies. A Supreme Court panel found no spyware on the phones of the 29 complainants in the case.
“Mercenary Spyware”
Apple’s statement said the notices are intended to inform and assist users who may be targeted by hired spyware “perhaps because of who they are or what they have done.”
“Such attacks are much more sophisticated than conventional cybercrime and consumer malware because spyware-for-hire attackers use specialized resources to target a very small number of specific individuals and their devices. Spyware-for-hire attacks can cost millions of dollars and The shelf life is often short, making them harder to detect and prevent. The vast majority of users will never be targeted by such attacks,” it said.
Apple said such attacks “have historically been associated with state actors, including private companies that develop spyware for hire on behalf of states, such as NSO Group’s Pegasus.”
“Although mercenary spyware attacks target a very small number of individuals (often journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats), they continue to occur globally. We have reported to Apple multiple times each year since 2021 Threat notifications are sent as we detect these attacks and to date, we have notified users in more than 150 countries in total.”
How Apple notifies users
The tech giant detailed how it will notify users suspected of being hit by hired spyware, “After users log in to appleid.apple.com, a threat notification will appear at the top of the page. Apple will contact the email address and phone number associated with the user’s Apple ID .”
It said the notifications provide additional steps users can take to help protect their devices, including enabling “lockdown mode.”
Apple said it relies on internal threat intelligence information and investigations to detect such attacks. “While our investigations can never achieve absolute certainty, Apple threat notifications are high-confidence alerts that users have been individually targeted by mercenary spyware attacks and should be taken very seriously.”
what to do
Apple’s threat notification emails, accessed by NDTV, list what users should do if they receive such an alert. “Apple recommends that you take the following steps immediately: Enable Lockdown Mode immediately in Settings > Privacy & Security > Lock Mode on your iPhone. This feature takes just a moment to turn on and provides a great way for people like you Targeting users individually provides the strongest protection from the most sophisticated digital threats.”
The to-do list also requires the user to update the iPhone to the latest iOS version and update any other Apple devices he/she may be using. The user is also advised to enable Lockdown Mode on any Mac or iPad he/she is using. Users are also advised to seek expert help from nonprofit organization Access Now’s digital security helpline.
More guides
Apple says some spyware-for-hire attacks require no interaction from you, while others rely on tricking you into clicking malicious links or opening attachments in emails, text messages or other messages. “These attempts can be very convincing, ranging from fake package tracking updates to customized emotional appeals claiming that a named family member is in danger. Please be cautious with all links you receive and do not open any from unintended sources. Link or attachment or unknown sender.”
The tech giant also said that if a user does not receive a threat notification but has “good reason to believe” he/she may have been targeted, “you can enable Lockdown Mode on your Apple device for additional protection.”
“Hired spyware attackers often persist and may also try to target you through other channels, devices and accounts not related to Apple. Experts can provide the best advice for your specific situation, but if you are unable to contact an expert, “As an extra precaution, change your passwords on any sensitive websites and services you access from your iPhone. If these attacks successfully compromise your iPhone, they could steal your credentials for other services. “
