Apple has released a security update for older iPhones and iPads that protects against a leaked set of powerful hacking tools capable of stealing data from a person’s device.
The tech giant said on Wednesday that released iOS 18.7.7 and iPadOS 18.7.7 to allow a wider range of devices “to receive important security protections against web attacks called DarkSword.”
DarkSword is a suite of hacking tools that can be used to break into Apple devices running iOS 18.4 to 18.7 by simply visiting a website that hosts the malicious code, such as legitimate websites that have themselves been breached. The exploits steal data from a person’s device, including their messages, browsing histories, location data, and cryptocurrency, and upload the data to a server hosted by the hackers.
The tools have already been seen in certain attacks targeting users in China, Malaysia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine. but now that the tools have been published onlinesecurity researchers warn that anyone can use these hacking tools to attack people running older versions of Apple’s mobile software.
Apple says users running its latest software, iOS 26, were protected weeks ago. The company also released a new update for iOS 18 users with iPhones and iPads that cannot run iOS 26 software.
But with Wednesday’s update, Apple has provided DarkSword fixes for the millions of users with unpatched devices who are capable of updating to iOS 26 but have chosen not to update. Some users have chosen not to update to avoid the new “liquid glass” interface of the software that has generated complaints from users.
Wired reported on Wednesday that Apple was preparing to release the update.
Apple customers who have turned on automatic software updates should receive the new software. Apple said its optional security protection feature, Lockdown Mode, also protects against DarkSword attacks. The company he told TechCrunch last week that it is not aware of any successful government spyware attacks against an Apple device running lock mode.
