Apple has announced that it will alert iPhone users when it suspects that state-sponsored attackers have hacked them.

State-sponsored attacks pose a serious security threat to targeted individuals. These attacks are usually aimed at specific users, based on what they do or who they are.

State-sponsored attacks tend to be very complex, often using uncommon resources. They also target a small number of people, making the attacks more difficult to detect. Fortunately, Apple has found a way to combat this issue.

How Apple Will Alert You When You’ve Been Hacked

If Apple suspects that you’ve been hacked or notices any suspicious behavior from a state-sponsored attack, it will alert you in two ways:

  1. When you sign in to appleid.apple.com, a Threat Notification will appear at the top of the page.
  2. Apple will send a Threat Notification email and message to the phone numbers and email addresses connected to your Apple ID.

Threat notifications protect users by informing them in cases where their privacy is compromised. Apple has also mentioned that some threat notifications might be false alarms. If you’re notified as a target, you will receive additional steps from Apple explaining how to protect your devices.

Related: Think Your Phone Has Been Hacked? Here's What to Do Next

Who Is Likely to Be a Target?

Hacker using a PC

State-sponsored attackers are not like regular cybercriminals. These attackers often target a specific set of people.

Recently, Apple filed a lawsuit against an Israeli cyber company called NSO Group, alongside its parent company OSY Technologies, for using their pegasus spyware to target a small group of Apple users.

While members of the general public aren't typically a target of such attacks, you can never be too safe. Fortunately, Apple is already taking steps to keep you safe online.

Related: The Types of Hackers You Should Be Aware Of

Apple Has Taken Online Security to the Next Level

In the digital world, security threats are a constant concern. The good news is, Apple is on the ball.

However, Apple’s threat notification alert system is not the only way to keep safe online. You can—and should—take extra measures to keep yourself safe.