If you’re looking for new features to use on your Apple devices, today’s Apple updates will disappoint you. However, they are just as important to install on your Mac, iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch today as they fix an important vulnerability.
In fact, they all fix the same unique vulnerability for each device: a WebKit issue reported by Google and Microsoft researchers. Its severity is assessed as “High,” and that’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 threshold error when processing web content in WebKit. 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.
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in the complete compromise of the vulnerable system.
While it is true that the chances are low that you, a normal Internet connoisseur, would come across a site like this, there is absolutely no reason to delay the quick update of your devices today. The process couldn’t be easier:
- iPhone / iPad: Application settings> General> Software update
- Apple Watch: Watch application> General> Software update
- Mac: Apple logo> System Preferences> Software Update
When updating your devices, you will be updating your iPhone and iPad to iOS and iPadOS 14.4.1, respectively. Your Apple Watch will be updated to 7.3.2 and macOS Big Sur should now run version 11.2.3 of the operating system.
G / O Media can receive a commission
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 smartwatches are all eligible for the update. On the Mac side, you simply need to run macOS Big Sur, which works with a very robust number of desktops and laptops that date back a few years ago.