Apple has issued a warning to iPhone users in India and 97 other countries regarding a potential mercenary spyware attack that resembles the infamous Pegasus threat. The alert, which comes after a similar notification in April 2024, was sent out to users, urging them to be vigilant.
According to Apple, they have detected an attempt to remotely compromise iPhones linked to users’ Apple IDs through a mercenary spyware attack. While the attacker remains unidentified, the company stressed the seriousness of the situation and advised users to take necessary precautions.
While Apple did not specify the countries affected, reports suggest that some iPhone users in India have received the warning. Notably, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti, confirmed receiving the alert from Apple about the potential spyware attack on her iPhone.
The tech giant emphasized that detecting such attacks with absolute certainty is challenging. However, they highlighted the rarity and sophistication of mercenary spyware attacks like Pegasus, which are costly and meticulously targeted at specific individuals globally.
Sources familiar with Apple’s threat alerts indicated that the recent notification was part of the company’s regular update cycle. The timing of the attacks remains unclear, leaving the possibility that some devices may have been compromised for months before the warning was issued.
In light of this latest development, iPhone users are advised to remain cautious and keep their devices updated with the latest security features to minimize the risk of falling victim to such sophisticated spyware attacks.
