Apple released iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 and visionOS 2.1.1 on Tuesday. The updates deal with serious security threats that bad actors apparently already exploited on older Macs.
Apple recommends the updates for all users.
Fix iPhone and Mac security threats
Apple struggles endlessly with hackers. Our iPhones and Macs are full of credit card numbers, passwords and other valuable data that criminals could turn into cash … if they can gain access to the info. Apple works hard to make the software on its devices safe from hackers. When new security problems arise, Apple issues patches for its operating systems to close them.
When recent problems with WebKit and JavaScriptCore turned up, Apple prepared the software updates released today. And the risk from these isn’t theoretical. The description for each notes, “Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems.”
The necessary fixes are included in iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 and visionOS 2.1.1.
“The fixes provided by Apple introduce stronger checks to detect and prevent malicious activity, as well as improve how devices manage and track data during web browsing,” said Michael Covington, VP of Portfolio Strategy at the security company Jamf. “With attackers potentially exploiting both vulnerabilities, it is critical that users and mobile-first organizations apply the latest patches as soon as they are able.”
The release notes for the OS patches say simply, “This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.” Their brevity indicates the new updates contain no other features. They’re pure security patches. The next Apple operating systems with additional capabilities — iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 — should arrive in early December.
How to install these patches
iPhone and iPad users can install iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS iOS 18.1.1 directly by opening the Settings app and going to General > Software Update. Alternatively, you can update your devices by connecting them to a Mac (or to a PC running iTunes).
To download the macOS Sequoia update, go to the Apple menu > About This Mac. Then click Software Update. Alternatively, you can install the new version from the App Store. (Note: At the time of this writing, Apple had not yet updated the version of macOS in the App Store. But it should happen soon.)
