MILLIONS of iPhone owners have been told to update their devices today to protect their iCloud data from falling into the hands of criminals.
The bug allowed cyber criminals to copy “extensive” amounts of user data “without leaving any trace”, a blog post from software firm Jamf has warned.
The Jamf team, who found a flaw, said it fails to notify iPhone owners when a dodgy app tries to access their photos, GPS location and contacts.
It means crooks could access an Apple customer’s “sensitive data” without their knowledge, the team wrote.
The vulnerability affects both iPhones and Mac PCs.
Jamf’s researchers notified Apple of the flaw, which the tech giant patched in iOS 18 and macOS 15 alongside 38 other security risks.
Users are now given a pop-up to accept or deny access to specific data from each app.
In their blog post, researchers called the discovery a “wake-up call” and expressed concern over attackers focus on iCloud data.
If you have not yet updated your iPhone to iOS 18, then it is strongly advised that you do so now.
iOS 18 was released on 16 September to dozens of devices.
Here’s the full list:
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
How to spot a dodgy app
Detecting a malicious app before you hit the ‘Download’ button is easy when you know the signs.
Follow this eight-point checklist when you’re downloading an app you’re unsure about:
- Check the reviews – be wary of both complaints and uniformly positive reviews by fake accounts.
- Look out for grammar mistakes – legitimate app developers won’t have typos or errors in their app descriptions.
- Check the number of downloads – avoid apps with only several thousand downloads, as it could be fake.
- Research the developer – do they have a good reputation? Or, are totally fake?
- Check the release date – a recent release date paired with a high number of downloads is usually bad news.
- Review the permission agreement – this agreement gives permission for the app to take bits of your data, and fake apps often ask for additional data that is not necessary.
- Check the update frequency – an app that is updated too frequently is usually indicative of security vulnerabilities.
- Check the icon – look closely, and don’t be deceived by distorted, lower-quality versions the icons from legitimate apps.
All of this information will available in both Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store.
Features that require Apple Intelligence were always forecast to arrive slightly later than the initial iOS 18 features[/caption]
Inside iOS 18.2
The warning comes as Apple prepares to roll out iOS 18.2 – the most anticipated iPhone update of the year.
The update is set to bring the second wave of Apple Intelligence features – which are new tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
It will introduce ChatGPT, the renowned chatbot that took the world by storm in November 2022.
It’s this extra AI power that is expected to inject more brainpower into Siri.
Genmoji and Image Playground will also be introduced.
Reports suggested iOS 18.2 might arrive yesterday (9 November), but it is still nowhere to be seen.
Apple has a track record of launching big software updates on a Monday.
Rumours have swirled for weeks that iOS 18.2 will land on iPhones in early December.
However, the tech company has not revealed the exact date.
APPLE INTELLIGENCE – WHERE CAN YOU GET IT?
Here’s the full list of devices that are compatible with Apple Intelligence…
iPhone:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
iPad:
- iPad Pro (M1 and later)
- iPad Air (M1 and later)
Mac:
- MacBook Air (M1 and later)
- MacBook Pro (M1 and later)
- iMac (M1 and later)
- Mac mini (M1 and later)
- Mac Studio (M1 Max and later)
- Mac Pro (M2 Ultra)
