Apple Issues Security Warning; Urges iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch Users To Download Latest Update

Owners of iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch are encouraged to update their Apple devices as soon as possible to protect their devices from a critical security flaw.

Apple recently rolled out a series of updates for iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch to address a security vulnerability. Users can now download macOS Big Sur 11.2.3, watchOS 7.3.2 and iOS and iPadOS 14.4.1. Once installed, users receive a notification stating that the update is important and recommended for all users.

As explained in the Apple Support site and the update's security bulletins, the latest patch resolves a memory corruption bug in WebKit. For the uninitiated, WebKit is the browser engine that powers Safari. The application is installed on all affected devices, which means that they each required to be updated for them to be secured.

The latest patch fixes the security vulnerability issue and prevents it from being exploited in the future. If not fixed, there is a high possibility that hackers could remotely execute code and ultimately take over the Apple device's system. As a result, hackers could expose personal files stored in the device.

The vulnerability was discovered by Google’s Threat Analysis Group's Clément Lecigne and Microsoft Browser Vulnerability Research's Alison Huffman. If the attack is executed in the real world, an advisory explained that “a remote attacker can create a specially crafted web page, trick the victim into opening it, trigger memory corruption and execute arbitrary code on the target system.”

The Webkit vulnerabilities are logic issues that the latest Apple update fixes with improved restrictions. The latest Apple security update was launched several weeks after the Cupertino tech giant released its 2021 Platform Security guide. It outlines the company's current and future plans for its device software, hardware and silicon security.

iPhone and iPad users can now download and install iOS 14.4.1 and iPadOS 14.4.1. To do this, users just need to plug their device into its charger to ensure uninterrupted and uncorrupted installation. On the device, users need to go to Settings, look for General and then look for Software Update. If a new update is available, simply tap Download and Install.