MILLIONS OF IPHONE USERS FACE HEIGHTENED SPYWARE RISK

Apple has warned that a large share of iPhone users remain exposed to sophisticated spyware attacks because they have not upgraded to the latest version of iOS.

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According to the company, roughly half of eligible iPhones worldwide are still running older software, leaving hundreds of millions of devices without recent security protections designed to block so-called mercenary spyware.

These tools are not typical consumer malware. They are usually developed by specialized vendors and deployed in targeted campaigns that exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities to gain deep access to devices. Once installed, spyware can read messages, track location data, activate microphones or cameras, and extract sensitive information without the user's awareness.

WHAT MAKES MERCENARY SPYWARE DIFFERENT

Unlike common scams or malicious apps, mercenary spyware is engineered to operate silently and with elevated privileges. Apple has described these threats as among the most advanced attacks faced by consumer devices, often involving zero-click exploits that require no interaction from the victim.

Such spyware has historically been used in surveillance operations against journalists, activists, business executives, and government officials. However, Apple has cautioned that broader exposure becomes possible when large numbers of devices remain unpatched, increasing the pool of potential targets.