If you are on top of updating your iPhone patches when a new operating system is released by Apple, you probably updated your iOS to version 14.5 when Apple released it last week. However, even if you did update last week, it is important to update again this week to iOS 14.5.1, which Apple released on Monday. If you didn’t upload 14.5 last week, that’s even more reason to update to 14.5.1 now.

iOS 14.5.1 specifically addresses security vulnerabilities that Apple has stated could give hackers the ability to execute arbitrary code on user’s phones. Apple says that because it is aware that the vulnerabilities are being exploited by hackers, it issued the patch. It is urging users to update to 14.5.1 as soon as possible to avoid becoming a victim.

It is always important to update software when a manufacturer releases a new version, so any vulnerabilities can be patched. That is the most important part of updating the software, even though you might also get some new features. Updating to iOS 14.5.1 is easy. Plug in your phone, go to settings, then to the General tab, then to the software update tab and select download and install. The same can be done for your iPad. I updated mine last night, and you may wish to consider doing the same.

Photo of Linn Foster Freedman Linn Foster Freedman

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her…

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her practice on compliance with all state and federal privacy and security laws and regulations. She counsels a range of public and private clients from industries such as construction, education, health care, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, utilities and critical infrastructure, marine and charitable organizations, on state and federal data privacy and security investigations, as well as emergency data breach response and mitigation. Linn is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice of Cybersecurity at Brown University and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law.  Prior to joining the firm, Linn served as assistant attorney general and deputy chief of the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Rhode Island. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, in American Studies from Newcomb College of Tulane University. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.