Apple again sent a security alert to users suspected of being locked in spy software. According to the company, this round of notifications covered 110 countries, reminding a number of iPhone, iPad and Mac users that their equipment might be facing targeted attacks by “employment” spy software.
Apple to TechCrunch indicated that the notifications had been sent on Thursday. At the same time, the company claims that similar reminders have been sent to users to date in over 150 countries, indicating that these types of surveillance tools, which are usually relevant to government departments, have spread to a considerable extent.
The lock screen pops up the alarm.
According to the latest apple support file, the user can now receive a delivery notification directly on the iPhone lock interface. The reminder will clearly state that apples detect spy software attacks against the equipment and alert users to take immediate measures to protect data and equipment.
In addition to the locks, the apples send notifications via e-mail and through the in-station tip when the user logs in the Apple account. According to Apple, the new alert process has been adjusted to allow those receiving the alert to find follow-up information more quickly.
Apple recommends that locking mode be activated as soon as possible.
Apples guide users to seek help in notifications and suggest "locking mode". This is a security function provided by apples for high-risk targets, which significantly tightens equipment clearances and reduces the probability of successful intrusion of spy software.
- This round of notifications involves 110 States
- Cumulatively over 150 countries
- Notification channels include lock screens, emails and account alarms
Apple indicated that there had been no cases of successful invasion of the equipment after the user had turned on the locking mode. It was also mentioned that the receipt of warnings did not necessarily mean that the equipment had been breached, but the user should still check the security of the equipment and the accounts as soon as possible.
Researchers call new alerts more effective.
Scott-Railton, a citizen's laboratory researcher who has been tracking commercial spy software for a long time, stated that Apple's improved delivery alert was a clear optimization since the launch of the alert in 2021.
In his view, the value of such notifications was not only to alert individual users but also to help the outside world to identify whether a group was being centrally monitored. Some of them turn to them on their own initiative upon receiving warnings, which often leads to more victimization cases and promotes further investigations.
Additional information:Scott-Railton cites as an example Poland ' s previous controversy over the use of spy software by the Government to monitor political opponents, where Apple users ' notices helped to detect wider control abuses earlier.