Apple Sends New Security Alert To iPhone Users: Are You At Risk?

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Apple has issued a new round of cyber threat alerts to users across more than 80 countries, including India, warning that certain individuals may be the target of high-risk, state-linked or mercenary spyware attacks. These notifications are part of Apple’s ongoing effort to alert users when its security teams detect attempts to remotely compromise an iPhone associated with their Apple ID. Also Read: iPhone 18 could get a brighter display as Apple raises OLED standards

Unlike regular phishing or malware attempts, these are highly sophisticated attacks typically aimed at a very small group of people – often based on their profession, public role, or geopolitical involvement. Also Read: This iOS 26 feature quietly extends your iPhone’s battery life

What Apple’s warning actually means

According to Apple’s alert, the targeted attacks attempt to remotely break into an iPhone and access sensitive data without the user’s knowledge. These threats often use techniques like zero-click exploits – meaning the victim does not even need to tap a link or download anything for their phone to be compromised.

Apple has not disclosed the number of users affected or the origins of these attacks. The company says withholding technical details is necessary to prevent threat actors from modifying their methods. However, since Apple introduced this notification system, users in more than 150 countries have been alerted at least once.

Those commonly targeted include journalists, human rights defenders, political leaders, diplomats, and individuals involved in sensitive research or activism. It must be noted that these are not attacks aimed at the general public.

What should affected users do

Apple is recommending several urgent steps for anyone who receives this warning:

• Update to the latest iOS version (currently iOS 26.1)
• Update all other Apple devices to the newest software
• Update messaging, cloud, and communication apps
• Enable Lockdown Mode, which restricts features to reduce the attack surface
• Indian users can also request technical assistance from CERT-In by emailing submitmobile@cert-in.org.in

Important note here is that Apple and CERT-In both advise not to reset the device, delete apps, restart, or make any major changes, as this could tamper with evidence needed for investigation. 

For now, Apple says the safest way to verify an official threat notification is to sign in to your Apple ID at appleid.apple.com – Apple will never send links or ask users to install software via email or SMS.