Millions of iPhones can be hacked with a new tool found in the wild

Ars Technica
March 19, 2026
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2 min read

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The Bottom Line

Researchers disclosed a sophisticated iPhone exploit called DarkSword affecting hundreds of millions of iOS 18 devices with no detection.

How This Affects You

If your iPhone runs iOS 18, visiting a compromised website can silently steal your personal data without any warning or visible sign of compromise.

AI Summary

Researchers at Google, iVerify, and Lookout disclosed Wednesday that a sophisticated iPhone hacking technique called DarkSword has appeared on infected websites in easily reusable form, capable of silently compromising hundreds of millions of iOS devices. The exploit works against iPhones running iOS 18, which as of last month represented close to a quarter of all iPhones in use, according to Apple's count. Users visiting compromised websites can have their personal data stolen instantly without detection. The technique does not affect the latest updated iOS versions, but leaves a vast portion of the iPhone user base vulnerable to espionage and cybercriminal campaigns.

What's Being Done

Researchers at Google, iVerify, and Lookout publicly disclosed the DarkSword exploit and its active use on infected websites.

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