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Apple Issues New Spyware Attack Warning To iPhone Users

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Apple has issued a new warning to iPhone users after discovering they are being targeted by spyware. The iPhone maker has sent out cyber threat notifications to users in at least 80 countries, according to a report in Reuters.

The Apple cyber threat notifications — which the iPhone maker sends out in response to attacks using mercenary spyware — come alongside an alert by Google.

Apple has not revealed how many users were targeted by the spyware attacks, or who was behind them, but the firm told Reuters that “to date we have notified users in over 150 countries in total.”

I have asked Apple for a comment and will update this story if the iPhone maker responds.

Why Spyware Is So Dangerous

Spyware is so dangerous because it allows the attacker to view everything you do on your iPhone, including reading encrypted messages such as WhatsApp. It often lands on iPhones via a so-called zero-click attack such as an iMessage containing an image, requiring no interaction from the user.

Once it has taken hold, attackers also have access to your iPhone’s mic and video, leading experts to warn that the best thing to do is to dump your iPhone altogether.

Google’s Spyware Warning

Earlier in Dec. Google researchers issued a warning about a mercenary spyware vendor Intellexa and its “Predator” malware.

The Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) analysis shows that Intellexa is “evading restrictions and thriving,” despite U.S. government sanctions.

“Intellexa has adapted, evaded restrictions, and continues selling digital weapons to the highest bidders,” Google wrote.

Google said the spyware was being used against “several hundred accounts across various countries, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan.”

The spyware, like others before it, targets zero-day vulnerabilities in mobile browsers. “Despite the consistent efforts of security researchers and platform vendors to identify and patch these flaws, Intellexa repeatedly demonstrates an ability to procure or develop new zero-day exploits, quickly adapting and continuing operations for their customers,” according to Google.

New Apple Spyware Warning — What To Do

The Apple spyware warning might seem scary, but be aware that the malware only targets a small subset of iPhone users, such as businesses in certain sectors, dissidents and journalists. However, if you do fall into this group, you can use various tools to detect spyware, including iVerify.

Signs that spyware may be affecting your iPhone are overheating and lagging, as well as new apps popping up on your home screen. If you have been impacted by spyware, you can often temporarily disrupt it by turning your iPhone off and on again.

Preventing spyware in the first place requires always keeping your iPhone up to date with the latest software.

The Apple spyware warning has happened before and no doubt, it will again. It’s therefore a good idea to know if you are a target and use tools such as Apple’s Lockdown Mode to boost security.



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Samsung May Stop Producing These SSDs Next Year

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Samsung may be preparing to step away from SATA SSD production. According to multiple industry reports, the company is planning a long-term exit from SATA SSD manufacturing starting next year.

YouTuber Moore’s Law Is Dead (MLID) says several sources have told him Samsung will end SATA SSD production entirely after it fulfills existing contracts.

SATA SSDs can feel like older technology as more new laptops and desktops rely on faster NVMe storage. High-end systems have also moved to SAS (Serial Attached SCSI).

Still, SATA SSDs remain common in 2025. They continue to see demand in budget PCs, external storage, and upgrades for older machines. Retail channels also continue to sell SATA SSDs in large numbers.

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Samsung is one of the largest suppliers of finished consumer SSDs. MLID says Samsung-made SSDs make up a significant portion of top-selling products on major online retailers, with roughly one-fifth of those listings still using the SATA interface.

If Samsung removes that supply, the impact may extend beyond one product category. The report suggests the move could tighten availability across the broader SSD market, including NVMe drives.

The report lands as memory pricing faces pressure. Samsung has reportedly raised DDR5 memory prices by as much as 60% recently. Micron has also decided to halt its consumer memory business to focus on supplying memory for high-powered AI chips.

The reports suggest end consumers are likely to feel the effects the most.

For now, Samsung has not made anything official. But if the company does exit SATA SSDs, the report suggests SATA drives could become more expensive and harder to find than many expect.





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Pakistan Tops Global Searches for Explicit Content

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Pakistan continues to rank at the top globally in searches related to indecent content, despite no longer leading in actual viewership, Director General Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr. Muqarram Ali said while addressing a cybersecurity seminar at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

He said that following PTA’s actions, including large-scale blocking of indecent websites, a clear impact has been observed, and Pakistan is no longer at the top in terms of viewing such content. He added that Pakistan had previously ranked highest in viewership, but sustained enforcement measures have moved the country down from that position.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Muqarram Ali said the PTA is actively working on online child protection and has blocked around 1.3 million indecent websites. He stated that the authority only blocks immoral and unethical material and does not act proactively to shut down websites on its own.

He further said that the PTA often receives contradictory court orders, with one court directing the blocking of a platform while another ordering that it should not be blocked. He added that the authority is bound to follow the prescribed legal and administrative system in such cases.

Referring to the temporary blocking of Wikipedia, the PTA chief said the move triggered an international reaction, after which an inter-ministerial committee was formed to review the issue. He said that the PTA blocks websites strictly on government directives, noting that similar instructions were also issued during previous governments.

Highlighting cyber security developments, Dr. Muqarram Ali said Pakistan has emerged among the top countries in cyber security preparedness. He claimed that during the Pak-India conflict in May, Pakistan won the cyber war and that not a single Pakistani website was taken offline. He also clarified that the PTA does not collect mobile taxes, stating that this responsibility lies with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).





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Apple’s Edge Light Adds A Virtual Ring Light To Your Mac Video Calls: Here’s How To Use It

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Apple released a new MacOS update recently. It brings the Edge Light feature to all Apple silicon-powered Macs. Here’s how you can use it on your next video call.



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