Apple has issued a new round of threat notifications to customers it believes may have been targeted by sophisticated spyware capable of compromising iPhones, iPads and Mac computers. The company told TechCrunch that the latest alerts were sent to users in 110 countries.

Apple has now notified customers in more than 150 countries since it began warning users about mercenary spyware, surveillance software that is often associated with government agencies and highly targeted attacks.

Apple’s updated support information explains that affected users will receive a warning directly on their device’s lock screen. The company has also redesigned the notification experience to make it easier for recipients to access information about the threat and the steps they should take.
Users who receive the warning are advised to take immediate action to protect their devices and personal information.

Apple also recommends enabling Lockdown Mode, a security feature designed to significantly reduce the number of ways sophisticated spyware can compromise a device. Although receiving an alert does not necessarily mean that a device has been successfully hacked, Apple urges recipients to treat the notification seriously and seek appropriate assistance.

The company says it has not identified a case in which a device with Lockdown Mode enabled was successfully compromised by mercenary spyware.
Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton described the latest notifications as an important improvement in helping targeted individuals understand the seriousness of the threat and seek assistance.

Spyware attacks remain relatively uncommon, but the growing availability of powerful surveillance tools has raised concerns about their use against journalists, activists, political opponents and members of civil society.

Researchers say Apple’s notifications can also help uncover wider surveillance campaigns when affected individuals come forward for investigation.

Source: TechCrunch