Journalists, Activists Targeted: Apple Warns of Pegasus-Like Spyware
New Delhi, 12th April 2024: Apple has issued a cautionary alert to users across 92 countries, including India, regarding a pervasive spyware attack reminiscent of Pegasus, aimed at a select group of individuals—often comprising journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats.
According to a notification released by Apple on April 10, these mercenary spyware attacks, though targeting a limited number of individuals and incurring substantial expenses, persist as a global phenomenon. The notification further underscores that such attacks have historically been associated with state actors.
The notification from Apple emphasizes its role in assisting users who may have been individually targeted by these sophisticated spyware attacks. Distinguishing these attacks from typical cybercriminal activity and consumer malware, it highlights the intricate nature of mercenary spyware assaults, which involve significant resources to target specific individuals and their devices.
This alert surfaces amidst a period where over 50 countries, including India, are gearing up for elections this year. Mercenary spyware attacks, notorious for their high costs and brief operational window, pose considerable challenges in detection and prevention. Moreover, the majority of users remain unaffected by these targeted assaults.
In response to Apple’s advisory, the cybersecurity watchdog CERT-In has urged users to exercise vigilance and update their software promptly. CERT-In emphasizes the importance of adhering to Apple’s recommendations for device updates and encourages users to stay informed through CERT-In’s vulnerability notes and advisories, applying relevant patches to safeguard their devices.
