- Apple recently announced that a number of Apple devices had been exposed to a cybersecurity threat
- This security threat has affected a number of iPhone, iPad, and Mac models
- Apple urges its users to update their devices to minimize the damage and keep their personal information safe
Apple announced a severe security vulnerability for iPhones, iPads, and Macs on Friday, 19th August 2022. According to Apple, users may experience a security risk that could potentially allow cybercriminals to control the victim’s devices completely. Moreover, an extensive list of devices has been affected due to this security threat, including iPhone models going back to the 6s, all iPad Pro models, and different Mac OS.
Who Found the Security Issue in Apple Devices?
The person who found the security issue in Apple devices has not been revealed. However, it is declared that the researcher who identified the security problem chose to remain anonymous.
At this moment, it is unclear how long the security issue had been present in Apple devices, but it may have been there for some time before it was discovered. This is because the security issue was only discovered after the team of researchers began looking for vulnerabilities in Apple’s operating system.
The discovery of this security issue highlights the importance of keeping your software updated. Even if a company releases a patch for a security issue, it is still possible for attackers to exploit the flaw if they are aware of it. This is why it is important to always install the latest software updates for your devices.
Whether you have a new or used Apple device, it is essential to ensure you have installed the latest software update. So, take out your used iPhone XS Max or refurbished iPhone 11 to install the newest iOS version. Apple has recently released the iOS 16 Beta version. You can install it on your iPhone if it is compatible with the new OS.
What Is the Risk of Apple Security Vulnerability to the General Public?
The risk of Apple’s security vulnerability to the general public is very low. However, there have been a few cases where malicious individuals have been able to exploit vulnerabilities in order to gain access to people’s personal information. In most cases, however, the damage that has been done has been relatively minor. The vast majority of people who use Apple products have not had any significant problems with security.
However, as far as this particular vulnerability is concerned, Apple stated that “this issue may have been actively exploited.” So, at this point, it is difficult to determine the damage, but users can still protect their devices by keeping them up to date.
Which Devices Are At Risk As Apple Issues Security Alert?
In the security alert issued by Apple, it is stated that all iPhone models dating back to the iPhone 6s are affected. So, technically the following iPhone models are at risk after this security threat:
- iPhone SE (2022)
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 6s
The following iPad models are also affected by the recent security threat:
- All iPad Pro models
- iPad 5th generation and later
- iPad Air 2 and later
- iPad mini 4 and later
Mac computers are also not safe from this threat. All Mac computers running on the Monterey OS are exposed to this risk. Moreover, Macs running on Big Sur and Catalina operating systems also have their Safari browsers exposed.
How to Keep Your Apple Devices Safe and Secure?
Apple has acknowledged the threat looming on the horizon for all Apple users who own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. However, the only solution given by this Cupertino, California-based tech giant is this: update your Apple devices.
So, if you want to keep your data safe and away from the prying eyes of cybercriminals, you may wish to update your devices to the latest software. If you’re unsure about the procedure, here’s how to update your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Apple regularly releases updates to its operating system that includes fixes for vulnerabilities that have been discovered. By keeping your iOS up to date, you can ensure that you are as protected as possible.
Besides, be careful about what apps you download and install on your device. There have been a few cases where malicious apps have been able to gain access to personal information by exploiting vulnerabilities in other apps. Be sure to only download apps from trusted sources such as the App Store.
Lastly, keep your personal information private. In some cases, people’s personal information has been compromised because they did not take the necessary precautions to protect it. So, never store your passwords or other sensitive information on your device in plain text.
Final Thoughts
Apple has informed its users of a security threat affecting almost all its devices. The primary devices to be affected by this threat are the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. While Apple has acknowledged knowing about this threat, it doesn’t give any more information about how this could’ve happened. As far as a solution to this issue is concerned, Apple asked users to update their devices to protect them against any cyber risk. At this moment, this is the only thing you can do to protect yourself from the possibility of the current Apple security vulnerability.
So, if you have a used iPad Pro model, or a Mac that runs on the Monterey OS, you should update these devices as soon as possible.
