Apple is warning iPhone users about a new spyware threat and is urging them to restart their devices immediately. The company also released emergency updates to fix two serious security issues just before the holidays.
The attacks target high-profile individuals first but could affect millions of iPhones worldwide. Apple is requiring all iPhone 11 and newer users to upgrade to iOS 26 to get the fixes. Older devices will not be protected.
Forbes analyst Zak Doffman said, “Hundreds of millions of iPhone users have not yet upgraded. This resistance leaves a high-risk situation, with a vast number of devices exposed to vulnerabilities we know are being exploited by attackers.”
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Restarting the iPhone can help stop malware running in memory. Doffman explained, “The complete shutdown of the device stops all processes and removes all software residing only in memory, such as a memory-based, non-persistent spyware.” Persistent spyware may restart, so caution is still needed.
Users should also be careful with links, attachments, and pop-ups, which are common ways spyware spreads.