- Apple has urged users to update their iOS devices as soon as possible
- This will protect your iPhone from web attacks and vulnerabilities.
- Devices running iOS 15 to iOS 26 are now protected
Apple has issued a rare public warning, stating that if you’re running an older version of iOS, you should update your device to “protect your iPhone from web attacks.”
The advisory has been published in a new security document on Apple’s website. While the company frequently releases security updates and patches to keep customer devices safe, it is unusual for Apple to make a public call in this way, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
In the support document, Apple said that “security researchers recently identified web-based attacks that target outdated versions of iOS through malicious web content. For example, if you are using an older version of iOS and click on a malicious link or visit a compromised website, your iPhone data could be at risk of being stolen.”
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It comes shortly after Google published details of an iOS exploit it had discovered called DarkSword, which is being used by both commercial spyware makers and state-sponsored hackers.
Regarding Apple’s warning, the company added that after learning of the hack, it “released software updates as quickly as possible for the most recent versions of the operating system to address the vulnerabilities and disrupt such attacks.” That means that if your iPhone is running iOS 15 through iOS 26, you’re already protected because Apple’s security updates have fixed the vulnerabilities in question.
However, if you have an older version of iOS on your device, you should update it as soon as possible to get the security patches and keep this exploit at bay.
How to protect yourself
Apple attempted to reassure users of the latest iOS operating systems by saying that “if you’ve kept your iPhone software up to date, then you’re already protected.” In fact, he noted that “keeping your software up to date is the most important thing you can do to keep your Apple products secure.”
Because the exploit runs on the web, Safari’s safe browsing mode, which is enabled by default, “blocks the malicious URL domains identified in these attacks,” Apple said.
While all the best iPhones can be updated to iOS 26, that’s not the case for much older products. But even if your iPhone is too outdated to run iOS 26, you might consider enabling Lock Mode (if available). While this restricts what you can do on your iPhone, it offers strong protection that could keep you safe if you can’t install the latest version of iOS. However, Apple warned that older devices should be updated to newer versions of the operating system as soon as possible.
Apple also says it released a patch for iOS 15 and iOS 16 that specifically addresses the vulnerability mentioned in the support document. Meanwhile, devices running iOS 13 or iOS 14 should be updated to iOS 15, Apple says, to be protected. The company added that devices with these operating system versions will also receive an alert to install a Critical Security Update in the coming days.
To update your iPhone to the latest edition of iOS, open the Settings app and navigate to General > Software Update. Wait for your iPhone to find the update and then tap Update now. Your iPhone may restart several times and the process may take a while. Also, be sure to back up your iPhone before you start, in case something goes wrong.
The situation highlights how important it is to keep your iPhone updated as often as possible. Software updates don’t just contain shiny new features: They could also help keep you secure and ensure your vital information, from credit card numbers to your health data, stays out of the reach of hackers and criminals.
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