Apple has warned of a serious security risk affecting iPhones, iPad and iMacs, allowing hackers to take complete control of the devices.
The tech giant acknowledged the issue in new security reports and admitted that it was aware ‘that this issue may have been actively exploited’.
The affected devices include the iPhone 6S and later models; 5th generation iPads and later, all iPad Pro models and the iPad Air 2.
The flaw also affects Apple’s Mac computers running MacOS Monterey and some iPod models.
‘Apple has disclosed some pretty serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow hackers to take complete control over these devices,’ Jake Moore, Global Cyber Security Advisor at ESET told Metro.co.uk.
‘If exploited, attackers would be able to see your location, read messages, view contacts lists and potentially even access the microphone and camera – all the things you don’t want to have out there,’
The bugs were reported by anonymous researchers, according to bleepingcomputer.com.
Apple has not disclosed any additional details about the attacks or who may have carried them out.
However, the tech giant has been quick to release a fix in its newest software update which has ‘important security updates and is recommended for all users’.
The company’s iOS 15.6.1 update comes just weeks after the release of iOS 15.6.
Security experts are asking Apple users to err on the side of caution by updating their devices.
‘Those in the public eye such as activists, politicians and journalists should act quicker due to previously becoming targets of nation state spying,’ said Moore.
‘It is better to be safe than sorry and so it is vital to update all devices immediately which doesn’t take long over Wi-Fi.’
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