Apple releases emergency security patch as users advised to update iPhone, Watch, Mac and iPads immediately

Apple has released an emergency update for its iPhone, Mac and other products.

The company said the security update fixes three security vulnerabilities. Users are therefore encouraged to install the update as soon as possible, which can be done via the Settings app.

Apple says all three bugs have already been exploited in the wild, though it has provided no information on how widely they have been exploited or against whom.

These three bugs meant that attackers would be able to penetrate various parts of the operating system to potentially steal information and take control of devices.

This is the latest in a string of serious security issues that have forced Apple to roll out updates this year. Earlier this month, Apple had to fix a massive security flaw that researchers say has already been exploited by attackers using the “Pegasus” spyware.

New updates are available for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. They can be installed via the appropriate setup apps by clicking “General” and then software update, and devices can ask owners to install them.

The update came just three days after the release of iOS 17, Apple’s major update to the iPhone. And it was released a few hours before the new iPhone 15 went on sale.

In addition to security issues, the updates address other bugs, Apple says.

Apple said all three new bugs were found by Bill Marczak of The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto’s Munk School and Maddie Stone of Google’s Threat Analysis Group. Researchers at The Citizen Lab were also responsible for finding similar problems earlier this month.