Apple has issued a security update for older iPhones and iPads to protect against a leaked set of potent hacking tools that can steal data from devices.
The tech company announced that it released iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7 to ensure a wide range of devices can “receive important security protections from web attacks known as DarkSword.”
DarkSword is a hacking toolkit that targets Apple devices running iOS 18.4 through 18.7 when users visit websites containing the malicious code. These exploits can steal personal data, including messages, browsing history, location info, and cryptocurrency, which are then uploaded to a hacker-controlled server.
These tools have been used in attacks on users in countries like China, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine. But now that the tools are public, security experts are warning that anyone can use them to target individuals running older versions of Apple’s mobile OS.
Apple assures that users running the latest iOS 26 have been protected for weeks. A new update is now available for iOS 18 users with devices that can’t upgrade to iOS 26.
With the update released on Wednesday, Apple has provided DarkSword patches for millions of unpatched devices capable of upgrading to iOS 26 but haven’t, mainly due to the software’s “liquid glass” interface that has received mixed reviews.
Wired reported earlier Wednesday that Apple was set to release the update.
Customers with automatic software updates enabled will receive the new software. Apple’s optional Lockdown Mode also protects against DarkSword attacks, and the company informed TechCrunch last week that no government spyware attack has succeeded against a device running Lockdown Mode.