We have noted before how important it is to update the operating system (OS) on your mobile phone as soon as you receive notice from the manufacturer. This week, Apple issued an update to the iOS that is considered urgent.

Apple released two patches this week to address two security vulnerabilities in iPhones, including to protect against Pegasus spyware and WebKit, which is related to how Safari is displayed on screens.

The first patch aims to prohibit a zero-click exploit that launches code in iMessage that allows spyware to be deployed and used against users. This vulnerability is concerning because it does not require the user to open a link for the malicious code to gain access to the mobile device and be deployed.

The second patch is designed to fix a vulnerability discovered by a security researcher, which allows threat actors to use malicious web content to exploit iPhones and iPads.

Message today: UPDATE YOUR iPHONE OPERATING SYSTEM ASAP. To do so, plug in your phone, go to Settings, click on General, then click on Software Settings and download iOS 14.8.

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.