On Monday, Apple pushed out to some iPhones and Macs its first-ever quick security fix.
This type of patch is meant to be automatically and seamlessly downloaded and applied by the operating system to immediately protect devices from exploits, thus avoiding the usual system update cycle that users might delay or miss, thus leaving their stuff vulnerable to attack.
Thankfully, this first-of-its-kind patch didn’t go off without a hitch. Some Cupertino fans reported problems Get the update already.
“iOS 16.4.1 (a) security response failed because you are no longer connected to the Internet” was the most commonly reported failure message from the operating system, although users were usually able to apply the security update after trying or two.
Also: Apple hasn’t released any feedback along with the quick patch nor if the update patches a vulnerability that miscreants have already discovered and exploited. and as security analyst Will Dorman RequestedWill the CVE bug(s) finally be mapped out?
Those Apple Rapid Security Response updates…you’ll eventually get the CVEs and the descriptions, right? pic.twitter.com/IQqT6rALLo
– Will Dorman (@wdormann) May 1, 2023
Given that some of the recent iOS and macOS updates covered zero days that were already exploited by hackers to spread spyware on victims’ devices, it’s a good idea not to wait to install this latest fix, even if the installation process takes longer than it should.
Here’s what we know about iGiant’s first-ever “rapid security response,” according to Apple May 1 Advisory:
Note: The quotes around “In the Wild” are Apple tags, not ours.
Also, Apple only pushes these new hotfixes to the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS starting with iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1. Customers with more respectable software will have to wait for regular software updates.
These latest fixes are supposed to be applied automatically by default (assuming they work), and once an update is checked, they are indicated by a letter after the numbers, ex: macOS 13.3.1(a).
If you turn this default setting off (maybe a bad idea in the long run), your device will receive the fixes when they are included in the Operating system update. ®
