Apple issues warning to iPhone users about updating their software

(NBC, KYMA) - Apple is warning iPhone users to be sure to update their software in order to combat hacking campaigns.

Researchers say they have identified two entities, from Russia and China, are developing hacking programs called DarkSword and Coruna that can infiltrate iPhones and collect data on its user.

Both programs can reportedly give hackers deep remote access to victims' phones and let them search through their contents.

However, Apple's latest software update, which was released in September, can thwart those cyber attacks.

In fact, according to an Apple spokesperson, those programs are only effected on devices still using older software versions, and that staying current on system updates are the best way to stop the attacks.

Apple's latest operating system is iOS 26.

Last week, Apple also made the unusual move of releasing a special update for iPhone users with older models that cannot handle fully upgrading to iOS 26, specifically to block hackers from using the hacking tools.