Apple releases important iPhone, iPad, Mac and Watch security patches

[OneMoreThing...]

Apple has released a set of security updates for iPhones, iPads, Macs and Watches. There are no new features — but these are updates you will still want to install.

As part of these security fixes, iPhones and iPads will update to iOS and iPadOS 14.4.1, watchOS users will update to 7.3.2 and macOS Big Sur will update to 11.2.3. Those on older versions of macOS can install the latest version of Safari, bumping the version to 14.0.3.

Apple says these are “important” security updates and are “recommended for all users.”

These patches fix the same vulnerability — a memory corruption bug in WebKit, the engine that powers Apple’s Safari browser. The bug can be triggered by visiting a malicious web page containing code that can exploit the vulnerability. Once exploited, an attacker can run malicious code on the affected Apple device.

The bugs were reported by Google and Microsoft, but are not believed to be actively exploited by malicious hackers unlike recent security flaws.

Last month, Apple pushed out iOS 14.4 to fix three WebKit vulnerabilities that were being “actively exploited.” The vulnerabilities were chained together to break into the underlying iPhone software.

If you haven’t already, update today.

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[M_Six]

Updating now. Slow download.

 

[Rod]

Yes, the servers are probably pretty busy, mine says 30min at 1.6MB/s. This is slightly larger than the previous update.

 

[M_Six]

Mine did complete after a bit. The install went smoothly.

 

[Rod]

I have learned one handy tip. If you wish to update macOS on your CCC backup try booting the clone in safe mode. I did this yesterday and it saved a lot of time. Typically when I boot my CCC clone it asks me to enter my email password for this account or login to that or update this etc. Yes, eventually after the restarts it reverts to standard mode but by then the update is complete.
This is in my mind a better way to update the clone than erasing it and creating a new clone of the internal HD complete with update and much faster.