Latest news with #EvaVlaardingerbroek
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Apple sends new spy threat notifications: What they mean and how to stay secure
Apple is known to alert its users about potential spyware attacks, which could be government-sponsored, time and again. This happened during the Pegasus fiasco, and now Apple is once again alerting users about another spyware attack, targeting individuals who may have been recent victims, as first spotted by TechCrunch. Recently, two people have come forward to reveal that they indeed received notifications from Apple, alerting them about the same. These two individuals include Ciro Pellegrino, an Italian journalist and a Dutch right-wing activist named Eva Vlaardingerbroek. 'Yesterday I got a verified threat notification from Apple stating they detected a mercenary spyware attack against my iPhone,' Eva Vlaardingerbroek posted on X. 'All I know for sure right now is that someone is trying to intimidate me,' she added. As for Ciro Pellegrino, he attached a screenshot of the mail Apple sent him. 'Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple Account,' the screenshot of the mail reads. Apple has since provided details about the attacks, including their detection methods and also explained how its notification process works for affected individuals. Read on for the details. Also Read: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 15 get a huge price drop during Amazon Great Summer Sale - Details In the same regard, Apple on 25 April published a support document outlining the company's exact guidelines for users. It details what users must do if they receive an Apple threat notification and explains what actually happens when such alerts are triggered. Apple states that these notifications are intended to inform and assist users who may have been individually targeted by mercenary spyware attacks, because of 'who they are or what they do.' These attacks are far more sophisticated than typical cybercriminal activity or general consumer malware. Furthermore, Apple assures users that the vast majority will never be targeted. Only specific individuals are at risk. The company also referenced past instances, such as the Pegasus spyware developed by the NSO Group. Apple explains that these threats are deployed against a very small number of individuals, often including journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats. Since 2021, Apple has confirmed that it sends out threat notifications multiple times a year whenever it detects such attacks. The company also states it has informed users in over 150 countries. Apple says that threat notifications are typically sent using email and iMessage to the email addresses and phone numbers associated with the Apple account of the targeted individual. These messages include details and steps users should follow to protect their devices, including enabling Lockdown Mode. Apple clarifies that emails are only sent from the address: threat-notifications@ while iMessage notifications come from threat-notifications@ Prior to 2025, email notifications were sent from threat-notifications@ Also Read: Best time to buy a PS5? Up to 52% discount on gaming consoles in Amazon sale- Check deals The tips include: MOBILE FINDER: iPhone 16 LATEST Price, Specs And More
Mint
01-05-2025
- Mint
Apple issues spyware warnings to Dutch commentator, Italian journalist: Here's what happened
A Dutch political commentator and an Italian journalist are among the latest to receive alarming warnings from Apple, alerting them to possible spyware attacks targeting their iPhones. Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a prominent right-wing commentator, and Ciro Pellegrino, a journalist for Italian online news outlet Fanpage, both confirmed they had been notified by the tech giant in recent days. Vlaardingerbroek shared on social media platform X that she had been notified by Apple about a potential security threat. She described the message as an attempt to 'intimidate or silence' her, suggesting the targeting was politically motivated. Meanwhile, Pellegrino published an article detailing his experience, reported TechCrunch, confirming Apple had contacted him via both email and text message. 'Yes, it is not a joke,' he wrote, dispelling any suggestion that the message was a hoax or phishing scam. Apple's warning informed both people that a 'targeted mercenary spyware attack' had been detected against their iPhones. The message explained that the attackers were likely trying to infiltrate their devices specifically 'because of who you are or what you do,' urging recipients to treat the notification with utmost seriousness. The company stated that these alerts are part of its official threat notification system, intended to warn users about advanced cybersecurity threats. According to Apple's support page, these 'mercenary spyware' attacks are typically orchestrated by private firms developing surveillance tools that are then sold to governments or state actors. 'These attacks are highly targeted, expensive, and not aimed at the general population,' Apple explains, noting that the vast majority of iPhone users are unlikely to be affected. Nonetheless, for those who do receive a threat notification, the company advises immediate action and heightened caution. When a threat is detected, Apple notifies users in two ways: by displaying a notification at the top of the page when the user logs in to their account at and by sending alerts via both email and iMessage to all addresses and numbers linked to the user's Apple ID. The recent wave of warnings highlights ongoing concerns around spyware tools being used to monitor journalists, activists, and political figures globally. First Published: 1 May 2025, 05:00 PM IST
Hans India
01-05-2025
- Hans India
Apple Warns iPhone Users in 100 Countries of Mercenary Spyware Attacks
In anunprecedented move, Apple has issued emergency security alerts to iPhone usersacross more than 100 countries, warning them of targeted spyware attacks. Thecompany is reaching out directly to individuals who may be victims of what itcalls 'mercenary spyware' — sophisticated surveillance tools often sold togovernments and used to target people based on their identity or occupation. Thealerts, sent through Apple's official threat notification system, aim to informusers facing high-level security risks. Apple confirmed that these warningswere not widespread or random but instead part of a focused campaign targetingselect individuals in over 150 countries. Accordingto Apple's support documentation, the attacks involve 'targeted mercenaryspyware attacks', which are usually executed by private surveillance tools are often deployed in collaboration with state actors and are knownfor their ability to breach even the most secure devices. Apple clarifies thatthe targets of such spyware aren't chosen at random — they are people singledout for 'who they are or what they do.' Recentrecipients of the alert include high-profile individuals like EvaVlaardingerbroek, a right-wing commentator from the Netherlands, and Italianjournalist Ciro Pellegrino, who writes for the online news outlet Fanpage. Asreported by TechCrunch, Vlaardingerbroek posted on X (formerly Twitter) aboutreceiving the notification, suggesting it was meant to intimidate meanwhile, confirmed he received the same alert through both emailand iMessage. Addressing any doubts, he wrote plainly, 'Yes, it is not ajoke.' Thenotification from Apple reads: 'Apple has detected a targeted mercenaryspyware attack against your iPhone… This attack is likely targeting youspecifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it's neverpossible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple hashigh confidence in this warning. Please take it seriously.' Thisisn't Apple's first brush with such incidents. In July 2024, a similar set ofwarnings was dispatched to iPhone users believed to be under details of that earlier campaign were kept under wraps, the patternsuggests these attacks are not isolated. Appleemphasises that most users are unlikely to ever face this kind of for those who do receive the notification, it's essential to treat itwith urgency. The company's protocol includes two forms of notification: amessage shown at the top of the user's Apple ID account page upon logging in,and direct alerts via email and iMessage to addresses linked to the account. Bysounding the alarm early and publicly, Apple aims to protect its users andraise awareness about the growing threat of state-sponsored digitalsurveillance. This bold move also reinforces Apple's stance on privacy and usersecurity, even as the threat landscape becomes increasingly complex.
India Today
01-05-2025
- India Today
Not a joke: Here is why Apple sent a warning message to iPhone users in 100 countries
Apple is warning many iPhone users across the world about targeted spyware attacks. In recent days, many iPhone users, including some journalists, have reportedly received alarming notifications that they may be victims of what the company calls 'mercenary spyware.' The company has confirmed that these notifications were sent to affected users in 100 countries — over 150 countries in says that these alerts are part of its official threat notification system, which the company uses to inform users of serious cybersecurity risks — specifically, those involving highly sophisticated spyware campaigns. According to Apple's support page, the notified spyware attacks are 'targeted mercenary spyware attacks,' often carried out by private companies that develop surveillance tools and sell them to explains that these attacks are highly selective and expensive to deploy, targeting individuals not at random but because of 'who they are or what they do.' In the recent wave of alerts, among the iPhone users who reveal they received the notification are Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch right-wing commentator, and Ciro Pellegrino, an Italian journalist associated with the online outlet Fanpage, reports TechCrunch. Vlaardingerbroek posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating that she received the warning and viewed it as an attempt to intimidate or silence her. Pellegrino confirmed in an article that he was notified via both email and text message. He made it clear that this was no prank or phishing scheme, writing, 'Yes, it is not a joke.' Post shared by Eva Vlaardingerbroek on X (Formally Twitter) advertisementIn the warning message, Apple told recipients that it had 'detected a targeted mercenary spyware attack against your iPhone.' The company informed them that this attack is aimed at gaining entry into a specific iPhone. 'This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it's never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning. Please take it seriously,' reads Apple's notification, as shared by isn't the first time Apple has issued such warnings. The company has previously alerted users when they were being targeted by similar spyware. In July 2024, a similar wave of notifications was sent, though the details of that campaign remain undisclosed. Apple stresses that while the majority of iPhone users will never be targeted in this way, the attacks are serious enough that those who receive a notification should not ignore it. The company notes that if it detects activity consistent with a mercenary spyware attack, it notifies the targeted users in two ways: 'A Threat Notification is displayed at the top of the page after the user signs in to and it sends an email and iMessage notification to the email addresses and phone numbers associated with the user's Apple Account.'
