Monday 23/March/2026 – 09:52 AM
Researchers in the field of cybersecurity have warned of an advanced hacking technique targeting iPhones, allowing hackers to control devices simply by visiting infected websites, without the need to download any programs or click on suspicious links, which puts hundreds of millions of users around the world in danger.
The field of cybersecurity
Research teams revealed Google iVerify and Lookout reported on a new hacking tool known as “DarkSword,” capable of surreptitiously infiltrating iPhones, exploiting vulnerabilities in the operating system.
According to a report published by Wired, the tool specifically targets devices running iOS 18, which includes about a quarter of iPhone users, meaning between 220 and 270 million devices around the world, which increases the size of the threat.
DarkSword allows attackers to access a huge amount of sensitive data, including passwords, photos, and conversations across applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage, as well as browsing history, health application data, and even digital currency wallet information.
The greatest danger lies in the nature of this tool, as it does not depend on installing permanent spyware, but rather exploits the internal processes of the system to carry out a quick attack and steal data, and then disappears as soon as the device is restarted, which makes its detection extremely difficult.
In this context, Rocky Cole, CEO of iVerify, said, “A large number of iOS users may lose their entire personal data simply by visiting a popular website,” referring to the seriousness of this type of attack.
The researchers also pointed out that one worrying aspect is that the tool’s code was left exposed on some sites, allowing other hackers to easily reuse it, which enhances the possibility of attacks spreading more widely.
Security experts confirm that advanced hacking tools, which were previously used to target prominent figures, are now available on the black market, which means that ordinary users are no longer immune from these escalating threats.
