Apple Inc., the multinational technology company, is currently dealing with an alarming and technologically advanced cyber onslaught. This digital assault has affected the iPhone users from no less than 92 nations around the globe, including India, Reuters reported.
According to Apple, these cyberattacks, dubbed “mercenary attacks,” don’t aim at the average user for stealing bank account details or personal data. The common targets are high-profile individuals, such as politicians, diplomats, journalists, and activists.
The sheer complexity and global scale of these mercenary spyware attacks make them some of the most potent digital threats existing today.
“Mercenary spyware attacks are exceptionally well-funded and they evolve over time.” – Apple
Apple’s alert clearly states that these attacks usually target individuals “likely because of who they are or what they do.” They are not mass attacks but carefully planned and executed operations against a small number of specific individuals and their devices.
In its updated guidance, Apple described these attacks as being “vastly more complex than regular cybercriminal activity.” The attacks are highly sophisticated, involve substantial resources, and are continually evolving.
Despite removing the term “state-sponsored” from its latest warning, Apple noted that these attacks have historically been connected with state actors. In some instances, a proxy can be used on a nation’s behalf.
Since 2021, users in at least 150 nations have been warned by Apple about these highly funded attacks that continue to improve and evolve over time.
Apple has implemented a “Threat Notification” system. This notification will appear online at the top of an Apple webpage after users sign in with their Apple ID through appleid.apple.com.
Furthermore, Apple will send an email and iMessage ping to the user’s phone and associated email address.
