Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - If you have an iPhone or Apple device, it's easy to postpone those pesky update notifications. However, tech experts are advising you update the latest update for the sake of security.
Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.
Apple released two security reports about the issue on Wednesday, although they didn't receive wide attention outside of tech publications.
Apple's explanation of the vulnerability means a hacker could get "full admin access" to the device. That would allow intruders to impersonate the device's owner and subsequently run any software in their name
In order to prevent hackers from controlling your iPhone, iPad or MacBook, it is advisable to download the latest 15.6.1 update so that none of your personal information can be seized on the device. Hackers can even control your phone and impersonate you if you've been running iOS 15 on your device without the update.
"After running iOS 15, you need to update to 15.6.1. because there is, what they call a "zero-day vulnerability", where someone can actually get access to your device and turn around your camera and read everything on the phone," said Garret Cleversley, President of MacSolutions Plus in Amherst.
Your iPhone is automatically set up to update for you, but it could take some time before the phone gets around to doing and iPhones do not trigger unless you are plugged into a power source. Experts say it is easier to update your phone manually to ensure that your phone is updated properly.
Apple devices affected include iPhones that can run iOS 15, iPhone 6s and later models, iPads 5th generation or later as well as iPad Pros and Mac computers running MacOS Monterey, 12.5.1.
Cleversley says if you should update Safari on your Mac, to avoid any vulnerability issues.
To update your devices, go to "Settings" and click on "General" and/or "System Preferences" then "Software Update."
How concerned should people be of your devices being compromised?
"It's tough to say. Apple said that the the attack was out in the wild. I mean, obviously, we see hundreds of phones a day and haven't seen it in the wild yet and it got squashed pretty quick as soon as Apple was notified about it. So I mean, the vulnerabilities there, but if you update to 15.6.1, you'll be okay," said Cleversley.
