What are zero-click spyware attacks on iPhones?

Zero-click spyware attacks are sophisticated cyber threats that can steal iPhone data without any user interaction, such as clicking links or opening emails.

Why is it important to update to iOS 26?

Updating to iOS 26 is crucial as it includes advanced security upgrades that fix vulnerabilities exploited by hackers in 'zero-click' spyware attacks.

Who is targeted by mercenary spyware attacks on iPhones?

These highly targeted spyware campaigns are mainly aimed at journalists, activists, or politicians, but Apple warns they are global and ongoing.

Home / Technology / Apple Warns: Unpatched iPhones Vulnerable to Hackers

Apple Warns: Unpatched iPhones Vulnerable to Hackers

5 Feb

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Summary

Zero-click spyware attacks exploit iPhone flaws without user interaction.
Most iPhone users haven't updated to iOS 26, leaving them exposed.
Hackers target journalists, activists, and politicians with sophisticated spyware.

Apple Warns: Unpatched iPhones Vulnerable to Hackers

Apple has alerted iPhone users to the severe threat of 'mercenary spyware attacks' capable of stealing data without requiring any user action. These highly targeted campaigns exploit vulnerabilities in older iPhone software versions, particularly in the WebKit component used for web browsing. The company stressed that these 'zero-click' attacks do not depend on users opening suspicious emails or clicking malicious links.

The tech giant confirmed that these sophisticated attacks have been leveraged against journalists, activists, and politicians. Apple warned that these mercenary attacks are 'global and ongoing,' affecting the roughly one billion iPhone users who have not yet updated to iOS 26. This latest operating system, along with its update iOS 26.2, includes crucial security upgrades that address these vulnerabilities.

Apple has urged all users to download the iOS 26 or iOS 26.2 updates and restart their iPhones to clear any potential hidden malware. Leaving iPhones on older software means missing out on essential security fixes, as Apple has ceased providing updates for those versions on newer devices. The company noted that only about 16 percent of iPhone users had downloaded any version of iOS 26 as of January 2026.