Unknown Group Chat appeared in Messages on iPhone

Apple devices can get malware, thats why lockdown mode was added, its just extremely rare. Unless you're someone high-profile like a politician or activist or something you're probably fine. If you're still worried you can run a scan with a tool like certo antispy or mvt. But as others have said, most likely your number was just added by mistake.

A common practice, usually to promote investment scams, is to create a group text with multiple people (remembering that anyone can create a group text, and add anyone they want to it) to promote a security as part of a “pump and dump” or just to promote a (fictitious) investment. With iMessages there is a limit of 31 members, with SMS it is far fewer. So usually these scams appear on WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram where there is no limit to the size of a group.

With SMS/MMS groups you cannot leave the group, so the only option is to delete the entire thread.

FirewallPulse wrote:

Apple devices can get malware, thats why lockdown mode was added, its just extremely rare. Unless you're someone high-profile like a politician or activist or something you're probably fine. If you're still worried you can run a scan with a tool like certo antispy or mvt. But as others have said, most likely your number was just added by mistake.

And most people are not high profile...anything. Apps like "certo antispy or mvt" are unnecessary.

iOS is the most secure operating system on the market. Privacy is at the very core of all Apple products and services.

It is highly unlikely for an Apple device to get infected by anything.

The most likely scenario would be that your number was somehow mistakenly added to an existing group chat (most likely a typo), similar to receiving a phone call from a wrong number.

All the best! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian

FirewallPulse wrote:

Apple devices can get malware, thats why lockdown mode was added, its just extremely rare.

Not quite correct, they cannot get true malware, The only successful one that you are thinking about, Pegasus, was blocked years ago.

Lockdown mode is for people suffering spousal or social abuse by phone, mail, or socials