How can I prevent someone from using iMessage to gain access to my iPhone and iPad?

GRea60 wrote:

No, I didn't. Why would anyone using iMessage tell me that they're trying to gain entry to my iPhone and data? Obviously, at that point, they had already done so without any help from me.

If the miscreants had gained device access, why would they tell you about it? Any such breach notification usually only ever happens after the requisite pillaging, too. Or after the data exfiltrated during the pillaging is first noticed else-network. Sure, they could. But this is usually phishing, or variously even advertising.

And if your are exploited, that also puts this case well outside what can be addressed around here too, in terms of personal information and device data access involved.

If Apple detects a mercenary exploit targeting you akin to what the long-since-remediated Messages issues you are concerned about, they will report it using the following means:

• About Apple threat notifications and protecting against mercenary spyware - Apple Support

As described in that same link, Apple doesn’t initiate contact through Messages. Using that Messages path for threat notifications would be ripe for abuse.

Phishing and related scams and gaslighting are all unfortunately common, including miscreants pretending to be Apple.

If you are still having issues or concerns about the TextMe app as is available from the Apple App Store, you will want to ask the TextMe vendor support reps directly. (Or you can remove and not use the app, of course.) Should you wish to confirm concerns about TextMe app that you believe were provided to you by Apple (somehow?), you will want to confirm those details by contacting Apple Support directly:

• Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

If you are unsure about the integrity of your own equipment, read the Personal Safety Guide provided by Apple, and consider running Safety Check, and definitely review and address the security recommendations provided by Apple within the Passwords app.

If you do not already have two-factor authentication enabled and a unique and robust password for your Apple Account, go fix that Right Now.

More info:

• Personal Safety User Guide - Apple Support
• Get help with security issues - Apple Support

GRea60 wrote:

Apple has told me, a few times, that someone using iMessage has gained access to my devices. Other than that, I don't know. I haven't researched it entirely, though I did look it up on Wikipedia and found that there was some earlier controversy over this app. But, I have had to revise passwords, etc, at Apple's directive. I also had to get a new debit card, due to a fraudulent purchase posted to my account. I don't know if that was related, but it was occurring at the same time these other issues began to happen.

Apple support told you this?

Do you share apple id and password with someone, that would be the only way they can sign into your imessage account.

There is more to this that you're telling.

GRea60 wrote:

No, I didn't. Why would anyone using iMessage tell me that they're trying to gain entry to my iPhone and data? Obviously, at that point, they had already done so without any help from me.

Sounds like you got a message from Apple stating someone has access to your account and to click said link to remove it, that would be a scammer sending you that imessage.

GRea60 wrote:

Here is the Wikipedia article on iMessage. Scroll down to the part about Security.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMessage

It mentions exploits that were fixed with iOS 12.4. Are you still running that?

GRea60 wrote:

How can I prevent someone from following me online and having access to my iPad and iPhone?

What do you mean use imessage to gain access to your device?

Please explain what is actually happening.

That was NOT Apple telling you anything. It was the scammer/hacker trying to trick you into providing your ID and Password with you apparently did.

"My understanding is that iMessage can be used as an exploit to gain this data directly"

Only if you willingly participate in the scam which you did.

GRea60 wrote:

Apple has told me this and has protected my data by not allowing me to install TextMe or any other internet phone app on my iPad. iMessage is known to exploit TextMe and other such apps. Apple has acted to prevent data theft.

Please stop posting such nonsense.

GRea60 wrote:

Yeah.....riiiiiight. So I just imagined all this, then? LOL! If this was resolved a decade ago, why are they still occurring?

You’re then either quite valuable as a target and that puts this well past the assistance and details and discussions that can be offered remotely, or maybe there’s something else happening here, whether benign or pernicious or insidious or otherwise.

"If the miscreants had gained device access, why would they tell you about it?" Exactly! So, why did someone suggest that this was NOT Apple and, instead was the hacker?!

The as-yet-unspecified message could well be from a miscreant without access. Phishing, gaslighting, whatever.

Okay then, let’s return to your original question...

"How can I prevent someone from following me online and having access to my iPad and iPhone?"

Answer: Based on your rigidly held opinion and arguments you can’t and the bad guys will aways be able to follow you and have access to your iPad and iPhone. The more the merrier as you gain more and more followers spying on you and your life. You’ll just have yo learn to live wth it and there’s nothing you can do about it. I’d suggest changing platforms but Android is just as bad or worse in protecting you from being hacked. It’s your life now.

Of course there’s the nuclear option where you sell all your devices, get off the grid, find a cabin in the woods where the bad guys can’t find you. Be sure to peak out of the window once in a while. You never know who might be lurking.

Are we done now?