Apple users warned of 'DarkSword' hack that hijacks iPhones via websites

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a formidable new hacking tool named DarkSword, which allows cybercriminals to seize control of Apple devices with alarming ease.

Disclosed by Google experts alongside firms iVerify and Lookout, the exploit targets millions of users by infecting handsets through compromised websites.

The threat is particularly acute for those still running iOS 18, which remains a dominant software version despite the availability of newer security patches.

Once a user visits an infected site, the tool can extract messages, photographs, and cryptocurrency wallet data within minutes.

Distinct from traditional spyware, DarkSword employs a "fileless" methodology by hijacking legitimate system processes rather than installing malicious software.

This technique makes the intrusion exceptionally difficult to detect. While the attack does not persist after a handset is rebooted, it is designed for high-speed "smash-and-grab" data theft.

Rocky Cole, the CEO of iVerify, warned that the public accessibility of the tool's code has lowered the barrier for entry for hackers globally.

Authorities have already linked the tool to various cyber attacks in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia. Evidence suggests the software has been utilised in espionage operations conducted by Russian-speaking hackers.

Experts believe the development of DarkSword reflects a growing demand for sophisticated cyber weapons previously reserved for elite state operations.

Apple has responded by confirming the release of several critical updates, and the tech giant continues to urge all users to install the latest software to mitigate these evolving risks.