Apple warns iPhone users in 99 countries of mercenary spyware
Original title: Apple Warns iPhone Users in 99 Countries of Sophisticated Mercenary Spyware Attacks
The October 30 notices are separate from August alerts covering 110 countries, and Apple named no spyware or flaw.
Apple sent threat notifications to selected iPhone users in 99 countries, warning of mercenary spyware targeting. Researcher Costin Raiu said the October 30 wave is separate from August alerts covering 110 countries. Apple says it has notified users in more than 150 countries overall, without naming attackers, a product, a delivery method, or a software flaw. The alerts mean high-confidence targeting, not proof every device was compromised.
Unconfirmed: Apple did not name the attackers, spyware, delivery method, or flaw, and did not confirm every notified device was infected.
- Costin Raiu reported the new notification wave on October 30, 2026.
- August spyware alerts covered users located in 110 countries.
- Apple says cumulative notices now span more than 150 countries.
- Genuine alerts never ask for apps, profiles, files, passwords, or codes.
- Apple points high-risk users to Lockdown Mode and Access Now’s helpline.
Impact: Possible mercenary spyware compromise of targeted iPhones
| Product | Affected |
|---|---|
| Apple iPhone | — |
- 1.Enable Lockdown Mode after updating supported Apple devices.
- 2.Verify the warning on Apple’s account website before acting.
- 3.Contact Access Now’s Digital Security Helpline for expert help.
- Vendors
- Apple
- Products
- iPhone
- Organizations
- Access Now
From the original article
3 min read at cybersecuritynews.com
Apple has issued a fresh round of threat notifications to selected iPhone users in 99 countries, warning that they have been targeted by sophisticated mercenary spyware attacks. Security researcher Costin Raiu reported the new wave on October 30, 2026, saying it was separate from August’s alerts and linked to new attacks. “Today’s notification is being […]
By Guru Baran · cybersecuritynews.com
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