If you’re looking for new features to play on your Apple devices, current Apple updates will disappoint you. However, today they are just as important to install on your Mac, iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch as they fix a major vulnerability.
In fact, they all fix the same unique vulnerability for each device: a WebKit issue that was reported by Google and Microsoft researchers. Its severity is valued “high,” And this’s easy to see why:
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The vulnerability exists due to a borderline error processing web content in WebKit. A remote attacker can create a specially designed web page, trick the victim into opening it, activate memory corruption, and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a complete compromise of the vulnerable system.
While it’s true that the odds are low that you, a normal Internet connoisseur, stumble upon a site like this, there’s absolutely no reason to delay updating your devices. The process couldn’t be easier:
- iPhone / iPad: Application Settings> General> Software Update
- Apple Watch: View Application> General> Software Update
- Mac: Apple Logo> System Preferences> Software Update
When you upgrade your devices, you will upgrade your iPhone and iPad to iOS and iPadOS 14.4.1, respectively. Your Apple Watch will be upgraded to 7.3.2 and now macOS Big Sur should be running version 11.2.3 of the operating system.
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Compatible devices include anything equal to or later than the iPhone 6s, iPad Air 2, or iPad Mini 4. And the iPod Touch (7th generation) is also eligible for the upgrade. Apple Watch Series 3 and later smart watches are eligible for the upgrade. As for Mac, you just have to run macOS Big Sur, which it works with a pretty strong number of desktops and laptops dating back a handful of years ago.