While vigilance with cybersecurity is always of the utmost importance for consumers, experts are now urging Apple users to update their devices to run the latest version of the operating systems. This includes iPhone model 6S and later, iPod touch 7th generation, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, all of the iPad Pros, and the iPad mini 4 and later.
The company released security updates for the devices last week after discovering that they may be susceptible to two different security flaws that could be abused by hackers. One vulnerability was to the kernel, which is the hub of Apple’s operating systems, and the other was to WebKit, which works to run several apps, including Safari.
The biggest risk is a hacker fully invading the device. Security experts explained that because these security flaws are based in the operating systems of the devices, it makes it easy for hackers to access users’ personal data. Additionally, because there are two vulnerabilities, it makes it easier for hackers to bypass different security measures and get into a device.
Though many Apple devices are set to update automatically, the updates aren’t always completed immediately, and may not begin until a device is plugged in. This makes it all the more important for consumers to check for software updates and manually update their devices to the latest operating software as soon as possible.
Another Mac security flaw
This news comes on the heels of another recent story about vulnerabilities many Mac users were facing with the Zoom app.
Patrick Wardle, founder of the nonprofit organization Objective-See, discovered a flaw in Zoom’s automatic update tool that could allow hackers to infiltrate Mac computers. He explained that when this tool runs an update, it looks for a signing certificate – or a unique digital verification code – that matches Zoom.
Since automatic updates do not require a password to be installed, hackers could create packages that mimic Zoom’s signing certificate to install malicious files or programs onto users’ Macs. This could allow them to completely take over the device to delete files, steal passwords, or alter documents.
Similar to this most recent notice to update Apple devices, Mac users specifically were encouraged to update Zoom to its most recent version to protect themselves from hackers.