Apple and Google have launched a number of software program updates to guard in opposition to a hacking marketing campaign focusing on an unknown variety of their customers.
On Wednesday, Google launched patches for a handful of security bugs in its Chrome browser, noting that one of many bugs was being actively exploited by hackers earlier than the corporate had time to patch it.
Unusually for Google, the corporate supplied no additional particulars on the time.
However on Friday, Google up to date the web page to say that the bug was found by Apple’s security engineering staff and Google’s Menace Evaluation Group, whose security researchers primarily observe authorities hackers and mercenary spy ware makers, indicating that the hacking marketing campaign might have been orchestrated by government-backed hackers.
On the similar time, Apple launched security updates for its flagship merchandise, together with iPhones, iPads, Macs, Imaginative and prescient Professional, Apple TV, Apple Watches, and its Safari browser.
Based on the security advisory for iPhones and iPads, Apple patched two bugs that the corporate stated it was conscious “that this situation might have been exploited in a particularly refined assault in opposition to particular focused people” working units previous to iOS 26.
That language is Apple’s typical approach of claiming that it is aware of a few of its clients and customers had been focused by hackers exploiting zero-days, that means flaws that on the time of exploitation are unknown to the software program makers. Typically, these are instances the place authorities hackers used hacking instruments and spy ware made by corporations corresponding to NSO Group or Paragon Options to focus on journalists, dissidents, and human rights activists.
Apple and Google didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Replace as we speak.
