Now is a very good time to check your iPhone settings and make sure your device is running the very latest iOS software from Apple. The US technology giant has just pushed out an urgent upgrade to millions of its smartphones which fixes two highly serious glitches.
The reason it's so important to check your iPhone immediately is that Apple has confirmed the bugs may have already been "actively exploited" which means it's possible cyber crooks are fully aware and using them to attack devices.
In its release notes, Apple says that both glitches allow the execution of arbitrary code which basically means hackers can perform tasks on devices without the owner's permission.
The first bug uses apps as a way of performing the attack whilst the second flaw could be initiated via maliciously crafted web content.
Although it sounds pretty scary, once the latest iOS 16.5.1 download has been installed no future attacks will be able to take place which is why it's so important to keep things updated.
Along with sorting the duo of security bugs, Apple also says this release fixes an issue that prevents charging with Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.
To check your device is fully up to date, head to Settings > General > Software Update . If your iPhone is already running iOS 16.5.1 then you can rest easy. If it's showing anything lower than that then it's time to hit the download and install button.
News of the iOS 16.5.1 update comes as Apple is about to launch iOS 17. This blockbuster update includes a swathe of changes such as new contact cards, improved messaging, StandBy Mode and a Journal app. There's also the option to share numbers more easily with new contacts via an update called NameDrop which swaps details when two devices are held near one another.
No official release date has been announced but we expect it to land on devices this September.
“With iOS 17, we’ve made iPhone more personal and intuitive by deeply considering the features we all rely on every day,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
