Apple warns iPhones are at risk of being attacked by spyware.

Apple has just issued a new warning to customers it suspects are being targeted by spyware capable of infiltrating iPhones, iPads, or Macs.

According to Apple, this latest notification was sent to users in 110 countries. To date, the company has warned users in more than 150 countries about these types of attacks.

Notably, Apple is changing how it sends alerts. Instead of just notifying via email or when users log into their accounts, alerts can now appear directly as push notifications on the iPhone lock screen.

The announcement stated that Apple had detected a commercial spyware attack targeting users' iPhones and recommended that they take measures to protect their data and devices.

Apple has also updated the alert experience to make it easier for recipients to access instructions and know what to do next.

Receiving a warning doesn't necessarily mean your iPhone has been hacked.

An important point for users to understand is that receiving a warning does not necessarily mean the device has been successfully compromised.

Apple sends alerts when it detects signs that a user may be targeted by spyware. However, this is still a particularly serious security signal and should not be ignored.

According to Apple's guidance, recipients of the alert will be provided with information on steps to take to protect their device and data. The company also recommends contacting experts or organizations that can provide assistance if needed.

One of the most important measures is to enable Lockdown Mode, a security mode designed by Apple to significantly limit the ability of sophisticated attacks to penetrate the device.

Apple says that to date, it has not recorded any cases of devices being successfully hacked while Lockdown Mode is enabled.

How dangerous is spyware?

The spyware used in these types of attacks is unlike the common malware that users usually encounter.

These are often highly sophisticated surveillance tools, developed to exploit security vulnerabilities on devices and gather information without the user's knowledge. Such tools have been used to target journalists, social activists, lawyers, politicians, and others in sensitive roles.

Spyware attacks are relatively rare compared to more common forms of online fraud. However, the increasing prevalence of surveillance technology has made this a major concern for security professionals.

John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the Citizen Lab research group at the University of Toronto (Canada), considers Apple's decision to display direct alerts on the lock screen a significant step forward. He believes such alerts not only help targeted individuals understand the risk but can also initiate broader investigations.

A person who receives an alert can seek assistance from a security expert. From the initial case, experts can sometimes discover many other victims in the same attack campaign.

Apple's warnings have previously helped detect large-scale spyware campaigns.

The role of these notifications extends beyond simply protecting individual iPhones.

According to Scott-Railton, Apple's warnings have helped shed light on large-scale spyware campaigns. He cites the Polish scandal involving the previous administration's use of spyware against political opponents.

Without warnings from Apple, this incident might not have been detected and investigated on such a large scale.

Apple began rolling out spyware alerts in 2021. Moving the alerts to the lock screen suggests the company is aiming to shorten the time from when a threat is detected to when users actually realize they are being targeted.

For iPhone users, the most important thing is not to ignore this warning if it appears. Carefully read Apple's instructions, update your device to the latest software version, consider enabling Lockdown Mode, and seek professional support if needed.

While spyware attacks aren't a threat that most iPhone users face daily, a direct warning from Apple is still a signal that should be taken seriously.