Apple update

Apple warned of serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could allow attackers to take control of these devices.

The iOS update is not required for older operating systems such as macOS Catalina and Big Sur. In addition, Mac computers on macOS Monterey are affected and users are being urged to download 12.5.1. Affected devices include the iPhones 6S and later models, several models of the iPad (including the fifth generation and later), all iPad Pro models as well as the iPad Air 2, and Mac computers running MacOS Monterey. The update can be obtained by going to the “Settings” section of a device, and choosing the “Software Update” option. Users have been advised to immediately update their devices with the new iOS 15.6.1 software. On Wednesday, the tech giant released surprise software updates for iPhones, iPads, and Macs that fix two critical, security flaws known by Apple to be “actively exploited” by attackers.

This week, Apple released critical software updates for Safari which fix a security flaw that exists in the browser across iPhone, iPad, and Mac...

The macOS Monterey 12.4 update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System... The macOS Monterey 12.2 update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences. The macOS Monterey 12.5 update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences. The iOS 15.6.1 and iPadOS 15.6.1 updates can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices... Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software ... The macOS Monterey 12.5.1 update can be downloaded on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences. Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update... The macOS Monterey 12.3.1 update fixed a pair of security flaws, including an AppleAVD issue that could allow an application to... macOS Monterey 12.5 more than two months after the launch of macOS Monterey 12.4. macOS Monterey 12.5.1 comes a month after the launch of macOS Monterey 12.5. Apple today released macOS Monterey 12.5, the fifth major update to the macOS Monterey operating system that launched in October 2021. Apple today released macOS Monterey 12.5.1, a minor update to the macOS Monterey operating system that first launched in October 2021.

Apple regularly issues updates to the software powering the iPhone, and sometimes it's OK to dawdle when it comes to installing them.

“Typically, when vulnerabilities in, say, phones and iPhones, for instance, are exploited, they tend to be pretty targeted, pretty focused on a small subset of individuals. The reality is that hackers are constantly looking for ways to gain unauthorized access to phones, tablets, computers, and other internet-connected devices for a wide range of malicious and illegal purposes. “Apple is no different to any technology company in that they’re constantly dealing with vulnerabilities," said Jamie Collier, senior threat intelligence advisor for the cybersecurity firm Mandiant and an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies. “This is really a function of the fact that they’re innovating. The company also issued fixes to block the security threat on iPads and Macs. Updates also don't usually trigger unless can be done and it usually won't happen unless the iPhone is plugged into a power outlet at the time.

The new updates patch security flaws in iOS/iPadOS, macOS and Safari that could be exploited by hackers to gain remote control of an affected device.

And [with Safari](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213414), users of macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina should update to version 15.6.1. “While the vulnerability could allow threat actors to take full control of a device, stay calm and simply get control of your devices and download the software updates available from Apple. You’ll be informed that your Mac is up to date or asked to download and install the latest update. On Wednesday and Thursday, Apple [pushed out operating system updates](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222) to the affected devices to patch the vulnerabilities. You’ll be told that your OS is up to date or prompted to install the latest update. To patch the vulnerabilities, users should update their OS to iOS/iPadOS 15.6.1.

The latest Apple security update contains some fixes that you should apply to your devices, but they are nowhere near warranting the amount of ill-informed ...

[this story](https://appleinsider.com/articles/15/08/05/apple-to-patch-actively-exploited-privilege-escalation-bug-in-os-x-10105---report) from 2015 about Apple addressing a bug in OS X that could have led to attacks with escalated privileges. And here, again, there's Apple's multilayer approach to security that stands in the way of full data exfiltration by the exploit. The company's security team spends a lot of time, effort, and money into finding and fixing flaws. To us at AppleInsider, and we presume just about every other regular reader, there's nothing particularly significant about it that makes it stand out among Apple's hundreds of other critical security fixes. It's not like the entire system and all of your data could be laid bare and instantaneously uploaded by the exploit and any payload that may be delivered. Worryingly, that spyware was used by authoritarian governments to surveil activists, journalists, and opposition candidates. More specifically, the patch addresses a WebKit vulnerability that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. For those of us that do it for a living, or are even just generally aware of Apple hardware and how to use it, it's just Friday. Apple on Wednesday released iOS 15.6.1 and a range of other software updates. And, delivery of that payload is non-trivial. However, despite what the headlines may have you think, there's nothing all that greatly more significant about this update than nearly every other. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content.

Apple iOS 15.6.1 brings critical fixes and all iPhone owners should update right now...

At this stage, a lot of bugs are still being reported after five beta releases, notably with the user interface — many of which you can find If you are running newer beta software (see ‘The Road Ahead’ section at the end), Both flaws allow hackers to remotely execute malicious code on your iPhone, iPad or Mac and potentially take over your device. [CVE-2022-32894](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-32894)) and WebKit, the engine that powers the Safari web browser ( [CVE-2022-32893](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-32893)). Should you upgrade, or does the release bring any significant problems? [chronicled here](https://twitter.com/nikitonsky/status/1557357661171204098). Here’s everything you need to know. [iOS 15.6.1 and iPadOS 15.6.1](https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2022/08/18/apple-ios-15-6-1-release-new-iphone-ipad-update/) to combat two major new security threats. The flaws were found in the kernel, a program at the core of the OS ( [here](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212551). [unenroll your device](https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/unenroll) beforehand. MacOS 12.5.1 is supported by all Monterey-compatible devices, which means the MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, early 2015) and newer.