Apple warns Indian iPhone users of potential 'spyware attack'
Technology giant Apple has issued a warning to some iPhone users in India, alerting them of a possible "mercenary spyware attack" that could compromise their device's security. This notification is the second of its kind sent to users in India and 98 other countries worldwide.
According to Apple, the potential attack is "exceptionally rare" and "vastly more sophisticated" than regular cybercriminal activity. The company stated that such attacks, like those using Pegasus from the NSO Group, are individually deployed against a small number of targets and can cost millions of dollars.
In April, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In) had flagged multiple vulnerabilities in Apple's operating system for iPhone and iPad, including flaws in Safari web browser versions before 17.4.1 iOS. This could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on targeted devices.
Apple has sent similar notifications to users in over 150 countries since 2021, including a warning of a "state-sponsored" attack on devices in October 2023. The company is urging users to be cautious and take necessary precautions to protect their devices from potential spyware attacks.
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Vistara in-flight experience will continue post-merger, says Air India
New Delhi (PTI): Air India on Friday said Vistara routes and schedule as well as the in-flight experience will continue and the flights operated with Vistara planes will have the code 'AI2' post-merger.
The merger of the two full service carriers is scheduled to be completed on November 12, following which Singapore Airlines will have a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India.
Vistara is a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines.
Post the merger, the vintage 'Maharaja' will be retained through the frequent flyer programme of the integrated entity.
"The existing members of Club Vistara will be seamlessly transferred to Air India's Flying Returns program. With this merger, Flying Returns will also evolve into an all-new avatar 'Maharaja Club'," Air India said in the statement.
Reiterating that the experience offered by Vistara will continue for customers post-merger, Air India said Vistara will be identified by a special four-digit Air India code beginning with the digit '2'.
"For instance, UK 955 will become AI 2955 helping customers identify them while booking... after November 12," the statement said.
Further, it said the routes and schedule operated by Vistara aircraft will continue to be the same, alongside the airline's in-flight experience that includes the product and service such as menu and cutlery on the Vistara aircraft.
There are concerns in certain quarters on whether Vistara passengers will continue to get the same services like now, post-merger as Air India, which is in the transformation phase, has been facing certain service issues in recent times.
Air India, on October 2, also said that Vistara experience will remain post-merger.
On Wednesday, Vistara Chairman Bhaskar Bhat said the integrated entity will share the best practices of the two airlines and the livery of Vistara will stay for sometime.
The Air India-Vistara merger, announced in November 2022, will also see Singapore Airlines acquiring a 25.1 per cent stake in the merged entity.
