Disaster Strikes iPhone Users, Apple Breaks Silence

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Some time ago, there was a major threat to millions of iPhone users worldwide. The latest cyber attack named DarkSword has compelled Apple to change its security strategy.

Hitherto, users have been required to update iOS to obtain security protection. However, the situation changed after these two attacks emerged. DarkSword poses a serious threat because it can take over an iPhone merely through a visit to a malicious website.

The issue is that millions of users are still sticking with iOS 18 and reluctant to switch to iOS 26. Reasons range from the new interface being deemed odd to performance perceived as slower.

This situation leaves users in a dilemma: stay on the old iOS but remain vulnerable to hacking, or update to the new version they dislike.

Public pressure and security experts ultimately forced Apple to yield. For the first time in a case of this magnitude, Apple has released a special security patch for older iOS without forcing users to upgrade.

This step is known as ‘backporting’ and represents a fairly surprising change, as Apple has rarely done it before.

“We will expand the availability of iOS 18 updates to more devices so that users with auto-update enabled can receive important security protections automatically,” said an Apple spokesperson, quoted from Wired, Wednesday (1/4/2026).

The DarkSword attack itself has become increasingly alarming after its code leaked to the public and was uploaded to GitHub. This means anyone now has the potential to use the tool to breach iPhones.

Moreover, a hacker group suspected to be linked to Russian intelligence has reportedly exploited this technique for phishing attacks.

Security experts say Apple’s action is appropriate, albeit late.

“This should be the standard, not the exception,” said Patrick Wardle.