Criminals are using government-grade spyware to infect iPhones
appleinsider.com Nov 10, 2026

Criminals are using government-grade spyware to infect iPhones

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A new iVerify Advanced Mobile Threat Report 2026 reveals that government‑grade spyware, once limited to state‑level surveillance, is now predominantly used by cybercriminals against everyday iPhone users. The study recorded 1.07 infections per 1,000 consumer iOS scans, equating to roughly one in 900 devices, and 0.7 per 1,000 when enterprise devices were included. All enterprise infections involved ordinary employees, not high‑profile executives. iVerify’s consumer user base has more than tripled since early 2025, though total scan numbers remain undisclosed.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · The shift signals that sophisticated surveillance tools are no longer confined to governments, exposing ordinary consumers to high‑level threats.
  • · This trend underscores the need for stronger endpoint defenses and heightened user awareness.