Apple’s Spyware Warning-Should You Panic?
By: Jim Stickley and Tina Davis
September 7, 2026
Recently, there have been a slew of warnings about an Apple notification to users regarding mercenary spyware. But don’t panic! It probably doesn’t affect most of you. The real concern is for a small group of people who may be targeted by state actors because they have information that might be useful for the sponsor nation. Generally, these include groups such as journalists, politicians, diplomats, and activists. The average user is not in real danger of getting attacked by this one.
If you do see that warning, take is seriously, but do not make any rash decisions or take any sudden action. Take a minute to make sure it’s legitimate before doing anything at all. It could be real; it could be phishing.
What Apple will NOT do as part of this warning
Apple’s legitimate warnings will never ask anyone to click any link, open a file, or install something as part of a warning. It also will not ask for Apple Account login credentials or any verification codes in email or via the phone. So, if someone asks you for any of this, it is very likely phishing.
What they WILL do as part of this warning
- They will send a warning message on the lock screen of the phone and it’ll appear in the settings.
- They will also send an email message to the email address they have on file that is associated with your Apple Account.
- Post it in banner form at the top of the user’s account page when logging into your Apple Account.
What you should do
- Log into your Apple Account independently of any warnings or email messages and see what’s up. This is to verify that it’s a real warning and not some sort of phishing or scam. Looks for that previously mentioned banner.
- Enable Lockdown Mode. This can be done in Settings>Privacy & Security>Lockdown Mode.
- Seek out assistance to have the spyware removed.
Those who have not received the alert should take action too
- Make sure your device is updated to the latest iOS version. This includes security updates.
- Ensure your device is protected by a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID.
- Enable two-factor authentication for your Apple Account.
- Revisit your password for your Apple Account and make sure it’s strong. That means it should be at least eight characters with upper and lower case letters, as well as numbers and special characters. Using passkeys is also a great option.
- Only install apps from the official App Store.
- Never open links or attachments from unknown senders or that are not expected. Verify anything you are not certain about first.
Finally, consider enabling the Stolen Device Protection feature. This adds a delay before your account information can be changed and prevents the device from being used to make purchases without your Touch ID, or Face ID. So, if your device is lost or stolen, you have some time to protect the information on it.
The bottom line is simple: don’t panic, but don’t ignore a warning either. Apple’s mercenary spyware alerts are serious because the people who receive them may be facing a highly targeted attack. At the same time, scammers know that an alarming Apple warning makes a great phishing lure. If you receive one, slow down before doing anything. Taking this minute can go a long way toward keeping the bad guys on the other side of the screen.
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