Apple releases emergency update for iPhone, iPad and Mac
Apple doesn’t typically release operating system updates over a weekend. When it does, you know it’s important. This week, the tech giant released emergency updates for iPhone, iPad and Mac computers that address zero-day flaws and other security concerns. That’s why you need to update your Apple devices ASAP!
Keep reading for details and how to get critical updates.
Apple updates address zero-day vulnerabilities
Apple never discloses, discusses, or confirms security issues until an assessment has occurred and patches are available. What we do know is that its latest updates patch zero-day flaws that cybercriminals have exploited.
If you have an iPhone, iPad or Mac computer, it’s time to update! The new releases are iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1 and macOS Ventura 13.3.1. Here’s how to get the updates.
How to update your iPhone and iPad
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap Install Now.
Instead of Install Now, you might see Download and Install. If so, select that option to download the update. Then, enter your passcode and select Install Now.
How to update macOS
- From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings or System Preferences.
- If you choose System Settings, click General on the left side of the window. Then click Software Update on the right.
- If you choose System Preferences, click Software Update in the window.
- Software Update then checks for new software.
- If Software Update finds new software, click the button to install it. For example, the button might be named Update Now, Upgrade Now, Install Now, or Restart Now. You might then be asked to enter your administrator password.
- If Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, no new software is available for your Mac model. Software Update shows only software that is compatible with your Mac.
If you don’t see an item named Software Update, choose View > Software Update from the menu bar in System Settings or System Preferences. Or use Search in the corner of the window to search for Software Update.
If your older Mac doesn’t include Software Update, open the App Store app instead. It’s in your Applications folder. Then click the Updates tab in the App Store to check for updates.
If you bought one of these defective laptops, Apple might owe you money
Consumer products and vehicles get recalled often, but it’s rare to get anything of value in return. When a car has a defective component, manufacturers usually repair it for free. Tap or click here for details on 160K vehicles recently recalled.
Use Google Chrome? This might be the best update of the year
A computer running slowly can be super frustrating. It can also make you late on turning in important work projects or school work. Fortunately, there are ways to speed things up. Tap or click here for a Google Chrome extension that can help.
Can't access Outlook? Here's the fix until Microsoft patches it
Google’s Gmail is one of the most popular email services in the world. But the tech giant is known for tracking your every move. If you want more privacy, there are options. Tap or click here for details on a Gmail alternative focused on privacy.
This mistake could make getting into your Google account almost impossible
Your devices and accounts should always be secured with strong, unique passwords. There’s no excuse to use credentials you can easily remember, as password managers can fill in the information for you.
Being locked out of your account is a frustrating experience, but it’s better than having one that’s easily hacked. If you find yourself locked out, be careful who you turn to for help. It’s just another opportunity for scammers to find a new victim. Tap or click here for more.
Confirmed - This handy iPhone feature is gone and apparently isn’t coming back
Apple’s latest iPhone 13 is packed with many new features to make our digital lives more manageable. But this often leads to standard features falling by the wayside, making room for advanced functions.
The most notorious feature to disappear was the headphone jack from iPhone 7 devices. A few years later, Apple again raised eyebrows by removing the Home button.
Safety tip: How to use Siri to call 911
Technology’s accessibility and assistance features can come in handy. Sometimes it can even be life-saving, as a hiker in 2019 found out. After falling off a cliff, his Apple Watch detected the incident and promptly dialed 911.
Microsoft is emailing out gift cards (No, it's not a scam)
Phishing scams usually try to entice victims to click on malicious links. Those links can lead to fake websites where scammers hope you will enter personal details or banking information for them to steal. Tap or click here to see a recent fake invoice from Microsoft scam.
If you use Chrome, you need to update your browser now
Protect yourself from cyberattacks and update your Google Chrome browser now. The tech giant pushed out another update last week, patching several security issues that can have devastating consequences.
This is the third browser update over the past few weeks, with the previous one fixing four high severity problems. Those unpatched issues left billions of browsers vulnerable to attacks from hackers. Through one flaw, hackers could give themselves access to secure buildings.
Windows 11: Users reporting printer issues and lagging performance
If you took a chance on Microsoft’s new Windows 11 operating system, you know all too well that it hasn’t been a smooth rollout. The system has only been out for a few weeks, and there have already been several updates to fix problems.
Apple's new Mac computers are faster than ever and you won't believe the battery life
When it comes to new product roll-outs, Apple tends to march to its own drum. The tech giant doesn’t usually participate in industry-wide yearly events like CES or E3 — it opts to announce new products and upgrades at its own special events instead.
Google reportedly snooping on how you use its rival apps
Is Google using an internal program to keep tabs on rivals’ popular social media apps? A recent report claims that’s precisely what it’s been doing — gathering data and other information from rival third-party apps — and then using that information to create its own competing apps.