Apple Issues 'Cyber Threat Exposure Warning'... How Many Countries Were Alerted?

Notifications Sent to Users in 84 Countries on December 2

Apple has sent warning messages to users exposed to cyber threats believed to be backed by large organizations such as nation-states.

Apple logo. Reuters Yonhap News archive photo.

According to Yonhap News Agency, citing major foreign media outlets on December 6, Apple sent cyber threat notifications to users in 84 countries on December 2. However, the company did not disclose the list of these 84 countries or the number of users who received the threat notifications.

Apple also did not mention which country or organization might be behind this attack.

Since 2021, Apple has been sending alerts to targeted developer users whenever a "mercenary spyware" threat is detected. Mercenary spyware refers to malicious code that is not directly operated or distributed by a specific country or group, but instead is developed and distributed by private companies on behalf of, or sponsored by, a particular country or organization.

This type of spyware is malicious software that collects and transmits personal information without the user's consent. It is known to target politicians, diplomats, journalists, and civil society activists. Once installed, it can steal personal information such as call logs, messages, emails, and location data.

It is reported that users who have received such notifications are from more than 150 countries in total.

Apple stated that when sending these notifications, it does not ask users to click links or install apps. The company also emphasized that it never requests users to enter their account passwords or verification codes, urging caution.

In July, Apple sent warnings to multiple Iranian users, alerting them that their iPhones had become targets of spyware attacks orchestrated by the Iranian government. Most of the Iranian recipients of Apple's warning notifications were reportedly involved in political activities.

Meanwhile, in October last year, Apple also notified iPhone users in 92 countries that they may have been targeted by mercenary spyware attacks. At that time as well, Apple did not disclose which specific countries' users received the warning notifications.