Govt issues high-risk alert for iPhone and iPad users in India: How to protect your devices

HIGHLIGHTS

The Indian government-backed Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high-severity warning for iPhone and iPad users.

he flaw allows attackers to bypass USB Restricted Mode, which is designed to prevent unauthorised data access via the Lightning port.

The security issue affects iPhones and iPads that are running iOS and iPadOS versions older than 18.3.1 or 17.7.5, depending on the model.

Govt issues high-risk alert for iPhone and iPad users in India: How to protect your devices

The Indian government-backed Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high-severity warning for iPhone and iPad users. This alert highlights a critical security flaw that affects devices running iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 18.3.1, leaving users at risk of data theft and unauthorised access. If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, it’s crucial to update your device immediately to stay protected.

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What’s the issue?

This vulnerability, discovered by cybersecurity researchers, impacts various Apple devices, including iPhones from the XS model onward and iPads from the 7th generation and later. The flaw allows attackers to bypass USB Restricted Mode, which is designed to prevent unauthorised data access via the Lightning port.

Which devices are affected?

The security issue affects iPhones and iPads that are running iOS and iPadOS versions older than 18.3.1 or 17.7.5, depending on the model. The affected devices include:

  • iPhone XS and later
  • iPad Pro 13-inch, 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
  • iPad mini 5th generation and later

Also read: iPhone 16 is available with over Rs 15,000 discount on Flipkart: How this deal works

How can you protect your device?

To safeguard your personal information, follow these simple steps to update your iPhone or iPad:

  • Back up your device: Use iCloud or your computer to back up your data before updating.
  • Connect to Wi-Fi and power: Make sure your device is plugged into a power source and connected to the internet via Wi-Fi.
  • Check for updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Also read: iPhone 16 Plus available with over Rs 16,000 discount on Flipkart: Check deal details here

To keep your device secure in the future, enable automatic updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update and turning on Automatic Updates.

Updating your device is the best way to ensure you’re protected from this risk.

Ayushi Jain

Ayushi Jain

Ayushi works as Chief Copy Editor at Digit, covering everything from breaking tech news to in-depth smartphone reviews. Prior to Digit, she was part of the editorial team at IANS. View Full Profile

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