Millions of iPhones at risk after dangerous spyware leak: report

A major cybersecurity threat has surfaced after a powerful iPhone hacking tool, “DarkSword”, was leaked online, raising concerns over the safety of millions of Apple users worldwide, according to a report by TechCrunch.
The spyware was published on GitHub, making it widely accessible. Security experts warned that the tool is easy to use and does not require advanced technical skills, allowing even inexperienced hackers to carry out attacks. Researchers from iVerify said the leaked files can be deployed within minutes and can extract sensitive data such as contacts, messages, call logs and stored passwords.
The threat primarily affects iPhones and iPads running older software versions, particularly iOS 18. Experts from Google confirmed that the exploit is more effective on outdated systems, increasing risks for users who have not installed recent updates. Apple has acknowledged the issue and urged users to update their devices immediately. The company said its latest software versions are protected and recommended enabling Lockdown Mode for added security.
With over 2.5 billion active Apple devices globally, a significant number still run older operating systems, potentially leaving hundreds of millions vulnerable.
Experts cautioned that the public release of DarkSword could trigger a surge in hacking attempts in the coming weeks and advised users to remain vigilant against suspicious links and websites.