Apple recently released a critical software update for all Apple devices designated iOS 14.8, macOS Big Sur 11.6, and watchOS 7.6.2. Apple issued these emergency updates in response to reports that “zero-click” spyware has been discovered on their devices.
Users can update their own devices using the following steps (please note that download times may be increased due to a large number of users seeking these updates):
- iPhone/iPad: Open the “Settings” app, then select General>Software Update to be sure that their device is running the newest version of iOS (14.8).
- macOS: Open “System Preferences”, then navigate to “Software Update”, then follow the directions on the next screen to update to macOS Big Sur 11.6.
- watchOS: Open the “Watch” app, then select General>Software Update to be sure that their device is running the newest version of watchOS (7.6.2).
This threat is particularly dangerous because it doesn’t require the user to click on anything to install spyware and take control of key capabilities of the device like the camera and the microphone. In the past, threats like these required users to take some action like clicking on a link in an email or text. As such, they should be taken seriously, and all users should update their devices to the latest versions immediately to avoid data loss and additional vulnerabilities.
If you have questions or concerns about this update, please reach out to the Office of Information Security by emailing infosec@wustl.edu. As always, we appreciate your vigilance as we work together to keep WashU secure.