Apple’s iOS and iPadOS have been updated to new versions, and you should update your iPhone and iPad as soon as possible.
The new versions – iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1, respectively – have a security fix for a flaw that’s actively exploited in the wild.
The good news is that this isn’t one of those attacks that can be done remotely. Instead, the hacker would have to obtain physical access to your device. From Apple’s release notes for iOS 18.3.1: “A physical attack may disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device.” This means that someone with access to your iPhone or iPad could bypass Apple’s security and grab all your data.
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Apple didn’t share a lot of details about how the flaw is being exploited, but the company’s wording is interesting. “Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals,” the release notes say.
The new iOS version is available for iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.
To update, go to Settings – General – Software Update on your device and tap on “Update Now.”
