Urgent warning as millions of devices are hacked (Image: Getty)
An urgent warning has been issued to anyone with an iPhone as a new fraudulent scheme could see millions of Apple users hacked. A cyber security expert has delivered advice to those with the device as a new malware scheme disguises itself as a ‘software update’.
Kurt Knutsson, 57, is advising iPhone users to “look out for themselves” as individual’s most sensitive data is at risk. The scheme is known as “infostealer” which tricks users into downloading dangerous software by pretending to be an update in an internet browser. For those who fall victim to the scam, hackers can access passwords, personal information and a variety of other data.
The scam tricks users into downloading harmful software by posing as an update (Image: Getty)
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The infostealer malware economy is rapidly expanding, with new evidence showing 26 million Apple users were targeted between the start of 2023 and the end of 2024, according to a Kaspersky report.
Data has surpassed early predictions, as the scam attacked 16.49 million devices in 2023 alone.
The fraudulence scheme still continues, as data from March 2025 shows 9 million more users were scammed since 2024.
Mr Knutsson said on Fox&Friends: “It is just so deceptive and they are so tricky and people are falling for it.
“That is why this is a big, big problem as we wake up this morning.”
The cyber expert urged users to be aware of fake updates and fraudulent pop-up messages.
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He said: “You want to be aware of fake software updates, it could show up as a pop-up, or it could be a link in an email or a text.”
“Don’t click it! Go automatically the way you usually get a software update. Go to settings, go to general, software update… follow that guide, don’t click on something that comes your way.”
Mr Knutsson is advising iPhone users to implement a two-factor authentication, which is a security feature requiring users to provide two different forms of identification. He also said to use a password manager to generate secure passwords and to sign up for antivirus services and protections.