APPLE WARNS USERS ABOUT MERCENARY SPYWARE IN 92 COUNTRIES. HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Sat 13 April 2024:

Tech giant Apple on Thursday sent threat notifications to select users in 92 countries, who may have been targeted using ‘mercenary spyware’ like Pegasus from the NSO Group.

“Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack,” the company said in a threat notification email seen by CNET. “This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do.”

“If your device is compromised by a targeted mercenary spyware attack, the attacker may be able to remotely access your sensitive data, communications, or even the camera and microphone,” the threat notification email said.

Mercenary spyware attacks are exceptionally well-funded and they evolve over time.

In a help page published Wednesday, the company offered advice on what to do if you receive a threat notification.

“We strongly suggest you enlist expert help, such as the rapid-response emergency security assistance provided by the Digital Security Helpline at the nonprofit Access Now,” Apple said. “Apple threat notification recipients can contact the Digital Security Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week through their website.”

According to an Apple support document, it relies solely on internal threat-Intelligence information and investigations to detect such attacks.

The company, however, did not officially comment on threat notifications being sent to targeted users.

Since 2021, the company has sent threat notifications multiple times a year as it detected these attacks, and to date, “we have notified users in over 150 countries in total,” according to the company’s support document.

The extreme cost, sophistication, and worldwide nature of mercenary spyware attacks makes them some of the most advanced digital threats in existence today.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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