If you have the best iPhone and it is currently running the latest version of iOS (16.6), update ASAP. Apple has released an emergency security update to fix two zero-day vulnerabilities in its iPhone, Pad, and Mac.

These new zero-day vulnerabilities were found in the Image I/O and Wallet frameworks, as reported by Bleeping Computer. Security researchers at the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto first raised the alarm last week about hackers using malicious attachments to execute arbitrary code on Apple smartphones and tablets. They found evidence that the vulnerability was "being used to distribute NSO Group's mercenary spyware Pegasus."

Spyware like Pegasus can be traced back to the Israeli cyber intelligence group company NSO. This spyware can track the location of target devices, monitor and record calls and messages, and access cameras and microphones.

The second zero-day vulnerability, discovered by Apple, is a buffer overflow vulnerability in macOS Ventura. In this case, arbitrary code could be executed on an unpatched device.

Apple was quick to patch these zero-day and improve logic and memory handling with the release of iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1, and macOS Ventura 13.5.2. However, to prevent hackers from exploiting these vulnerabilities, they must install Apple's latest emergency security update.

These zero-days affect both older iPhones, iPads, and Macs. iOS 16.6.1 upgrade is available for iPhone 8 and later, all iPad Pro models, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 5th generation and later It is.

The best defense to protect your iPhone, iPad, and Mac from cyber attacks is to keep all devices up to date and running the latest software. Incremental updates to Apple's iOS, iPadOS, and macOS not only add nifty new features, but often include security patches to address the zero-day vulnerabilities and other security flaws mentioned above.

Mac malware has surged in recent years, and this trend is unlikely to abate anytime soon.

Because of Apple's own malware scanning limitations for secure use of iPhones and iPads, iOS has no equivalent to Android's best antivirus apps. There is a workaround, however: Intego Mac Internet Security X9 and Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 scan for malware when the iPhone or iPad is connected to a Mac via a USB cable.