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Category: Security

Adam Engst 25 comments

Apple Relaunches Background Security Improvements with WebKit Patch

Remember Rapid Security Responses? Apple renamed and relaunched them as Background Security Improvements, and the first one patches a WebKit flaw in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26.3.1. Here's what you need to know.

Adam Engst 11 comments

Older iPhones and iPads Receive Critical Security Updates for Coruna Exploits

Apple has released critical security updates for older iPhones and iPads to address the Coruna exploit kit, a sophisticated collection of exploits. If you’re still using an older device stuck at iOS/iPadOS 15 or 16, update immediately.

Adam Engst 111 comments

Should 1Password’s Price Hike Push You to Apple’s Passwords?

1Password is raising prices for the first time in ten years. With Apple’s free Passwords app maturing into a capable alternative, is it finally time to consider switching—or do 1Password’s features still justify its cost?

Adam Engst 26 comments

OS 26.3 Updates Focus on Bug and Security Fixes

Don’t expect new features in Apple’s OS 26.3 updates, but be sure to install them soon. They patch dozens of security vulnerabilities and address an actively exploited flaw Apple says was used in sophisticated spyware attacks.

Adam Engst 41 comments

OS 26.2 Adds Reminder Alarms, Edge Light, Podcast Chapters, and Enhanced Safety Alerts

Adam Engst walks you through Apple’s OS 26.2 updates, highlighting new alarms in Reminders, auto-generated chapters in Podcasts, Enhanced Safety Alerts, and Edge Light for Mac video calls—along with urgent fixes for two actively exploited WebKit vulnerabilities.

Adam Engst 14 comments

A Suspicious Encounter Abroad Highlights iPhone Security Features

Was it a sophisticated iPhone hack, a pickpocketing distraction, or just a weird coincidence? After a TidBITS reader’s suspicious encounter with a lost tourist, we examine the security of modern iPhones and offer practical tips for travelers who want to help strangers without becoming targets.

Adam Engst 5 comments

Find My Saves Dave Barry’s iPad—Twice

Apparently, humor columnist Dave Barry’s brain is full, causing him to leave his iPad in public places—well, one public place—but Find My helped him recover it not just once, but twice. It’s a good reminder to turn on Find My and use Apple’s lost device options.

Adam Engst 37 comments

OS 26.1 Updates Bring Small Improvements

Update to OS 26.1 for incremental improvements and security fixes across Apple’s platforms. Highlights include Tinted Liquid Glass, AutoMix over AirPlay, Slide Over’s return to iPadOS, and dozens of patched vulnerabilities.

Adam Engst 4 comments

Be Cautious with Agentic Web Browsers

New AI-powered browsers from OpenAI, Perplexity, and others promise to automate Web tasks but are vulnerable to prompt injection attacks that could manipulate the browser or steal private information through hidden instructions. While they are intriguing for occasional experiments, stick with your current browser for everyday usage.

Adam Engst 20 comments

Juice Jacking Protection Setting Broken in iOS 26

Apple’s protection against juice jacking attacks—theoretical though they may be for everyday users—isn’t working as intended in iOS 26, with some users finding their security settings locked to Always Allow.

Adam Engst 12 comments

OS 26.0.1 Updates Fix Early Bugs

Apple has rolled out a series of updates across its operating systems to fix initial bugs, including installation issues on the M3 Ultra Mac Studio, iPhone networking and photo problems, and audio sync issues in tvOS. Many of the updates also address a FontParser security vulnerability.

Adam Engst 52 comments

macOS 26 Tahoe Pushes FileVault Use

In macOS 26 Tahoe, Apple automatically enables FileVault during setup when users sign in with an Apple Account, and it changes how Recovery Keys are stored to protect against government overreach. You can turn FileVault off, but we recommend using it.

Adam Engst 14 comments

Apple Updates Older Operating Systems with OS 26 Security Fixes

If you haven’t yet upgraded to OS 26 (and most people shouldn’t), you should instead install the other security updates that Apple released for older operating systems. Apple even fixed a zero-day exploit that could still impact iOS and iPadOS 15 and 16.

Adam Engst 3 comments

Memory Integrity Enforcement Bolsters iPhone Security

Apple’s new Memory Integrity Enforcement feature, available only on iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air, represents a significant advancement in preventing memory-based security exploits used by mercenary spyware.

Adam Engst 29 comments

Apple Updates Block Zero-Day Malicious Image Exploit

Apple has released emergency security updates for multiple operating systems to block a zero-day vulnerability exploited in sophisticated attacks targeting specific individuals.