Apple has just issued iOS 17.6, and if you’re an iPhone user, you’ll want to update now. This update is no joke – it comes with a hefty 35 security fixes to address serious vulnerabilities in Apple’s operating system.
Although Apple is tight-lipped about the specifics of the fixes to prevent attackers from exploiting them, a quick look at their support page reveals that iOS 17.6 addresses bugs in the Kernel and WebKit, which powers the Safari browser.
It’s been a long time coming for this update, as the last major security patch, iOS 17.5, was released in mid-May. Among the notable fixes in iOS 17.6 are patches for two Kernel flaws that could allow attackers to access your iPhone’s memory layout and cause unexpected system shutdowns if they have physical access to your device.
Additionally, the update addresses eight issues in WebKit, one of which could lead to a cross-site scripting attack if you interact with malicious web content. Apple has also released iOS 16.7.9 for older iPhone models, fixing a smaller list of security issues.
While there haven’t been any reported real-life attacks yet, it’s crucial to update to iOS 17.6 now. Taking control of the Kernel could give attackers complete access to your iPhone. Plus, this might be the last update before iOS 18 is released in September, so don’t wait. Update your iPhone to iOS 17.6 by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Your device will thank you later!
