Apple Update: Apple has alerted 1.8 billion users: your iPhone is at risk, follow these tips to stay safe..

Apple has issued a warning to iPhone and iPad users worldwide, urging them to update their devices immediately. The company says a serious security vulnerability has been discovered in its systems, which hackers could exploit to target users.

According to Apple, the vulnerability was found in WebKit, the engine that powers Safari and all other browsers running on iOS. The company stated that these vulnerabilities are being used in a "highly sophisticated and targeted cyberattack" aimed at specific individuals.

The biggest threat comes from malicious websites. If a user accidentally opens such a website, their iPhone or iPad could execute harmful code without permission. This could allow hackers to gain control of the device.

Apple said that users with Automatic Updates enabled on their phones will likely already be protected. However, those who have disabled this setting should immediately download iOS 16.2 or iPadOS 16.2 manually.

Which devices are most at risk?
These devices are particularly vulnerable to this security threat:
iPhone 11 and all subsequent models
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later models)
iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later models)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later models)
iPad (8th generation and later models)
iPad mini (5th generation and later models)

Apple stated that these vulnerabilities are zero-day vulnerabilities, meaning they were previously unknown and hackers could exploit them before a patch was available.
Apple and Google's Threat Analysis Group collaborated to discover these vulnerabilities. In addition to iOS and iPadOS, the company has also released new security updates for macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and Safari.

How to stay safe?
According to cybersecurity expert Kurt Knutsson:
Keep Automatic Updates enabled on all your Apple devices.
Do not click on unknown links in SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, or emails. When visiting a website, type the address yourself instead of tapping on a link.
Use reliable antivirus or security software.
Limit the amount of personal information you share on social media.
Apple clearly states that it does not discuss security vulnerabilities until a solution has been released to protect its users. Therefore, updating your device is the safest course of action.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.