iOS, iPadOS and MacOS
Important update: Why you should update iPhones, iPads and Macs now – even older devices
Make a note for the next coffee break: iPhone, iPad and Mac are waiting for an urgent update from Apple.
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Over Easter, Apple released a series of urgent updates that close actively exploited security vulnerabilities and therefore affect not only new but also older devices. A quick installation is therefore useful.
At the end of March, Apple released iOS 16.4 – bringing not only new functions but also a number of fresh emoji to the devices. Just a few days later, another update is available. At first glance, the new iOS 16.4.1 and iPadOS 16.4.1 versions mainly fix a problem with Siri and add a missing color for one of the new emoji. The update is also intended to fix security gaps that seem to have a lot to offer.
Even the iPhone 6s gets an update from Apple
Because shortly after the updates for newer devices were released, Apple followed up — and provided iOS 15.7.5, iPadOS 15.7.5, MacOS 12.6.5 and even MacOS 11.7.6. As a reminder, these older systems run devices like the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPad Air 2, and all Macs that didn’t make the jump to MacOS 13 or even 12.
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The reason for the sudden updates that Apple deliberately released for older devices as well: Apple has patched two security gaps that were actively exploited. These are said to have enabled various attacks on the devices and have apparently already been misused for malicious purposes.
Malicious apps and websites possible
The first vulnerability, reported among others by Donncha Ó Cearbhaill of Amnesty International Tech Twitter pleased affects apps that are noisy without the system update Apple capable of executing arbitrary malicious code. The second gap concerns noisy Manufacturer the Webkit, i.e. the basic structure on which all iOS browsers are based. In addition, it should be possible in the old version for websites to inject malicious code via manipulated websites.
You can find the update in the usual way. Check the device’s system settings to see whether an update is available for you. If so, make sure the device is connected to power or has sufficient remaining capacity. If no update can be found, check the current version. If you have activated automatic updates, it is possible that the devices have already completed the installation without your intervention.