GoKawiilLance Whitney/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google
ZDNET's key takeaways
Apple is warning certain users about targeted spyware attacks.
These attacks are aimed at journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats.
Anyone notified should enable Lockdown Mode on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Apple is warning certain users about a new round of targeted attacks designed to infect their iPhones, iPads, and Macs with what it calls mercenary spyware. If successful, the spyware is able to bypass any built-in encryption to access your private files, snoop on your conversations, capture your audio and video, track your locations, and control your device.
Also: Older iPhones have an unfixable security flaw - why it can't be patched and the models affected
Sharing the latest details with TechCrunch, Apple said that it sent the notifications to select customers on Thursday across 110 countries. The spyware is dubbed mercenary because it's typically carried out by, or deployed on behalf of, nation states. Further, the attacks aren't aimed at the average person but rather at people with prominent roles in society, including journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats. Still, if you're a victim, the damage can prove devastating.
... continue reading