DarkSword targets iPhones running specific versions of Apple’s software and it could be quietly stealing your data. Most people will never be at this level of risk, but lockdown mode might be a useful tool for preventing DarkSword. Lockdown mode was introduced in iOS 16, with additional protections added in iOS 17. You can enable it by going to Settings, followed by Privacy, Security and scrolling to Lockdown Mode. Even if your device no longer gets iOS updates, Apple has issued a number of security updates for older smartphones in recent days.

Source: The Irish Times March 19, 2026 16:13 UTC