Billions of iPhone users are warning not to ignore the Red Alert message – it’s extremely serious and a huge risk

IPHONE users have been warned never to ignore an important notification that could mean they are in danger.

Apple has equipped its iPhone devices with many helpful tools designed to protect you.

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These features include car crash detection, emergency SOS, and, in recent months, “threat notifications.”

Apple’s threat notifications are designed to inform and assist users who may be the target of government-sponsored attackers.

What are state-sponsored attacks?

State-sponsored attacks (SSAs) are cyberattacks carried out by cybercriminals who are directly affiliated with a nation-state.

“These users will be approached individually about who they are or what they do,” the tech giant explains on its site website.

“Unlike traditional cybercriminals, state-sponsored attackers use exceptional resources to target a very small number of specific individuals and their devices, making these attacks much more difficult to detect and prevent,” Apple added.

State-sponsored attacks are also very complex, typically costing millions of dollars to develop and execute.

They often have a short shelf life, Apple said, adding that most people are never the target of such attacks.

But for the few that are, it’s imperative that they have tools to counter SSAs.

This is where Apple’s threat notifications come in; Apple sends users a notification in two ways:

• A threat notification is displayed at the top of the page after the user logs in appleid.apple.com.
• Apple sends an email and iMessage notification to the email addresses and phone numbers associated with the user’s Apple ID.

To further protect users, Apple also introduced a tool called “Lockdown Mode” in 2022.

What is “lockdown mode”?

Lockdown mode provides “extreme optional protection for the very small number of users who face serious, targeted threats to their digital security,” Apple said.

For example, once activated, the tool can block message attachments, disable complex web technologies, and stop incoming calls and FaceTime requests.

Perhaps most notably, it can cut wired connections with a computer or accessory while the device is locked.

How to activate lockdown mode on iPhone or iPad

To turn on lockdown mode, go to the Settings app > tap Privacy & Security > under Security, tap Lockdown Mode.

From there, tap Turn on lockdown mode > tap Turn on lockdown mode > tap Turn on and restart.

You will then be prompted to enter your device passcode.