{"id":45501,"date":"2026-08-15T00:32:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T19:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=45501"},"modified":"2026-08-15T00:32:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T19:32:52","slug":"iphone-spyware-alert-what-apple-customers-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=45501","title":{"rendered":"iPhone spyware alert: What Apple customers need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article\">\n<h2 class=\"sr-only\" id=\"toc\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<aside x-data=\"tableOfContents()\" x-init=\"tableOfContentsInit([{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Table of Contents&quot;,&quot;anchor&quot;:&quot;toc&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;What does the spyware alert mean?&quot;,&quot;anchor&quot;:&quot;what-does-the-spyware-alert-mean&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;How can I verify the alert is real?&quot;,&quot;anchor&quot;:&quot;how-can-i-verify-the-alert-is-real&quot;},{&quot;text&quot;:&quot;What do I do if I get a spyware alert?&quot;,&quot;anchor&quot;:&quot;what-do-i-do-if-i-get-a-spyware-alert&quot;}])\" class=\"block sticky top-0 z-20 order-first pt-8 mx-auto mb-4 w-full font-sans bg-white rounded-sm md:z-30 pgQSsticky font-brand\">\n<div class=\"group\">\n<div class=\"relative mx-auto w-full max-w-[736px] toc-div\">\n                <label for=\"table-of-contents\" class=\"hidden\">Table of Contents<\/label><br \/>\n                <select name=\"table-of-contents\" id=\"table-of-contents\" class=\"p-2 py-2 pr-12 m-auto -mt-2 w-full text-base font-bold tracking-wide bg-white rounded border appearance-none lg:text-sm focus:outline-none border-gray-lighter group-hover:border-gray-darkest\" data-ga-module=\"toc\" data-ga-item=\"toc-list\" data-ga-element=\"toc-link\" data-ga-action=\"toc-click\"><option x-show=\"isvalidLink('toc')\" value=\"toc\" data-position=\"1\">Table of Contents<\/option><option x-show=\"isvalidLink('what-does-the-spyware-alert-mean')\" value=\"what-does-the-spyware-alert-mean\" data-position=\"2\">What does the spyware alert mean?<\/option><option x-show=\"isvalidLink('how-can-i-verify-the-alert-is-real')\" value=\"how-can-i-verify-the-alert-is-real\" data-position=\"3\">How can I verify the alert is real?<\/option><option x-show=\"isvalidLink('what-do-i-do-if-i-get-a-spyware-alert')\" value=\"what-do-i-do-if-i-get-a-spyware-alert\" data-position=\"4\">What do I do if I get a spyware alert?<\/option><\/select><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Wake up to a message saying your iPhone may be a target for mercenary hackers? It may not have been as noisily in your face as other emergency alerts, but you still need to take it seriously. <\/p>\n<p>The direct-to-device threat notification, which appears as a banner on your iPhone&#8217;s lock screen and atop the home screen, is a recent expansion of <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/102174\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">Apple&#8217;s existing threat detection features<\/a>, designed to alert users of mercenary spyware attacks. The banner only appears on a device if Apple detects activity &#8220;consistent with a mercenary spyware attack,&#8221; the company explains. <\/p>\n<div class=\"flex mx-auto mt-8 w-full max-w-3xl font-sans text-lg leading-normal md:text-xl md:leading-7\">\n        <span class=\"font-bold text-primary-400\">SEE ALSO:<\/span><br \/>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/mashable.com\/tech\/white-house-announces-offensive-hacking-against-cyberattacks\" class=\"flex items-center text-secondary-300\"><br \/>\n            <span class=\"ml-1\">White House signing deals with private hackers to combat cybercrime<\/span><br \/>\n            <svg class=\"ml-1 w-4 h-4 font-normal fill-current\"><use href=\"http:\/\/mashable.com\/images\/icons\/spritemap.svg#sprite-arrow-right-thin\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<p>It reads: &#8220;Apple detected a mercenary spyware attack targeted at your iPhone. There are actions you can take now to protect your data and device.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-does-the-spyware-alert-mean\">What does the spyware alert mean?<\/h2>\n<p>Mercenary spyware attacks are highly resourced, individualized attempts to penetrate devices in order to install surveillance programs. Often associated with state-sanctioned espionage and enabled by private tech companies, these attacks typically target individuals with political affiliations, including journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats. <\/p>\n<p>Apple uses internal threat intelligence technology to detect activity associated with the intrusions. <\/p>\n<p>If you get an alert, it doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean spyware has successfully been installed on your device, but it does mean Apple has &#8220;high-confidence&#8221; you are a target. And that means you need to act fast to protect your information.<\/p>\n<section x-data=\"window.newsletter({ isDeal: false })\" x-init=\"init()\" aria-label=\"Newsletter Sign-Up\" class=\"relative invisible my-12 mx-auto w-full max-w-3xl md:my-16 ziff-component accent-cut-for-gradient-bg accent-cut-border-for-gradient-bg bg-gradient-fuchsia-secondary p-[2px]\">\n<p>\n            <span class=\"text-gradient-fuchsia-secondary\">Mashable Light Speed<\/span>\n        <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>In a statement to <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/08\/13\/if-apple-sends-you-a-push-notification-alerting-you-to-a-spyware-attack-take-it-seriously\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">TechCrunch<\/a>, Apple confirmed it sent threat notifications to users in more than 110 countries late Thursday (Aug. 13) and more than 150 countries to date. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-can-i-verify-the-alert-is-real\">How can I verify the alert is real?<\/h2>\n<p>Apple&#8217;s threat notifications will never include clickable links or ask users to open attachments, log into accounts, or install apps. If your alert includes any of these, it is fake. <\/p>\n<p>In addition to on-screen alerts, iPhone users will receive a threat detection notification in their device&#8217;s account settings, which appears under their Apple Account information. If your device is potentially being targeted, you will see a new menu option titled &#8220;Apple Threat Notifications.&#8221; It should have a red notification badge next to it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mx-auto mt-8 max-w-3xl\" data-commerce-block=\"\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col space-y-4 md:flex-row md:space-y-0 md:space-x-4\">\n<div class=\"w-full md:w-1\/2\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width:100%;\" class=\"w-full border border-gray-100\" src=\"https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04NrzOwoHIUzgty00eZBSmW\/images-1.fit_lim.size_376x.png\" alt=\"An iPhone lock screen with an alert banner across the bottom labeled \" apple=\"\" threat=\"\" notification.=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"1320\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n                                                                <span class=\"text-gray-600 credit\">Credit: Apple<\/span>\n                                    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"w-full md:w-1\/2\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full border border-gray-100\" src=\"https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04NrzOwoHIUzgty00eZBSmW\/images-2.fit_lim.size_376x.png\" alt=\"An iPhone device settings menu. Below the user's account information is a new menu labeled &quot;Apple Threat Notification&quot; with a red dot alert next to it.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"1320\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\n                                                                <span class=\"text-gray-600 credit\">Credit: Apple<\/span>\n                                    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Apple will also send a message with additional threat information to the email address associated with your account. If you feel like you can&#8217;t trust an email, <a href=\"https:\/\/account.apple.com.\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">log into your account<\/a> via a desktop computer or laptop. You should see an additional threat notification banner at the top of the page. <\/p>\n<p>Got all three? You&#8217;re the lucky spyware winner. <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-do-i-do-if-i-get-a-spyware-alert\">What do I do if I get a spyware alert?<\/h2>\n<p>Users should immediately take steps to lock down their accounts and protect their personally identifiable information, Apple advises. The company suggests soliciting help from experts and directs users to partner organization Access Now and its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessnow.org\/help\/access-nows-digital-security-helpline-and-apple-threat-notifications\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\">24\/7 helpline<\/a>. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitterEmbed twitter-tweet\"><p>\n    <a class=\"text-gray-600\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jsrailton\/status\/2087978761207620071\" title=\"(Opens in a new tab) (opens in a new window)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n        This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.<br \/>\n    <\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Users can also switch their devices to <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/105120\" target=\"_blank\" data-ga-click=\"1\" data-ga-label=\"$text\" data-ga-item=\"text-link\" data-ga-module=\"content_body\" title=\"(opens in a new window)\"><u>Lockdown Mode<\/u><\/a>, which walls off specific apps, websites, and other features that are susceptible to such attacks. When an iPhone is in Lockdown Mode, users can&#8217;t access message attachments, click links, or continue sharing photo albums with contacts. Users can&#8217;t FaceTime contacts that haven&#8217;t been called within the last 30 days. Certain web browsing features and automatic WiFi joining are disabled. And other devices are automatically disconnected from your phone. <\/p>\n<section class=\"mx-auto max-w-7xl\">\n<\/section><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of ContentsWhat does the spyware alert mean?How can I verify the alert is real?What do I do if I get a spyware alert? Wake up to a message saying your iPhone may be a target for mercenary hackers? It may not have been as noisily in your face&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/helios-i.mashable.com\/imagery\/articles\/04NrzOwoHIUzgty00eZBSmW\/hero-image.fill.size_1200x675.v1786723900.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-trending-viral-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=45501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/45502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=45501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=45501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=45501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}