Be Safe: Update Your iPhone to iOS 9.3.5
August 26 2016 - 1:17PM
Dow Jones News
By Brian R. Fitzgerald
Anyone using Apple Inc.'s iPhones should immediately update to
the latest version of iOS 9 to ward off a security flaw that
apparently can turn the device into a surveillance tool.
Apple updated its mobile operating system to version 9.3.5 after
security researchers said they discovered previously unknown iOS
bugs were being used to help foreign governments spy on their
citizens. The software was able to get past Apple's rule that only
approved software may run on the device by exploiting iOS flaws to
"jailbreak" the device.
The spyware can track movements, log messages and download
personal data. In a statement Thursday, Apple said it had been
"made aware of this vulnerability and immediately fixed it."
The discovery of sophisticated spyware called "Pegasus" running
on iPhones pierces the perception that Apple's flagship device is
immune from the troubles plaguing personal computers, Android
phones and other consumer electronics.
It's another reminder that keeping software up-to-date isn't
just good hygiene for hardware performance, but for keeping devices
safe from unsavory tools. Even for Apple users. (That's not to say
you should run "beta" software, as Joanna Stern points out, just
the latest version released to the public.) And even people who
have armored up with best practices such as two-factor
authentication still need to be mindful of the links and images
they click and tap.
Apple devices run more-current versions of their OS by far when
compared with Android counterparts. While that is due to Apple's
closer control of the devices running iOS, the Android camp --
hardware makers, carriers and Google -- needs to work harder to get
the latest versions of Android out sooner. Version 7.0, called
Nougat, is rolling out now, but only to Nexus- and Pixel-branded
Google Android devices.
Write to Brian R. Fitzgerald at brian-r.fitzgerald@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 26, 2016 13:02 ET (17:02 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024