Apple deployed a major security alert across 110 countries warning iPhone users of state-sponsored mercenary spyware attacks, using an aggressive new notification method (push notifications on lock screens) to reach recipients faster than email or iMessage. This represents the scale of the emerging threat: over 150 countries have received such warnings since 2021. While most users are unlikely to be targeted (attacks aim at journalists, activists, diplomats), the threat is real and Apple recommends enabling Lockdown Mode as the primary defense; the company claims no successful breaches have occurred with Lockdown Mode active.