Update Your iPhones, MacBooks, and Apple Devices Now to Prevent Hacking

Punjab CERT Issues Urgent Advisory to Update Your iPhones, MacBooks, and Apple Devices

The Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) of Punjab has issued a high-priority security advisory. It warns all Apple users, including individuals and government organizations, to immediately update iPhones, MacBooks, and other Apple devices.

This urgent call comes after experts discovered critical security flaws that hackers could exploit. If updates are ignored, devices may be exposed to cyberattacks, data theft, and even complete device takeover.

Why You Must Update Your Apple Devices Immediately

According to Punjab CERT, several major vulnerabilities have been detected in Apple’s software systems. If left unpatched, these flaws could allow attackers to:

• Gain unauthorized access to your device
• Execute harmful code remotely
• Take full control of your iPhone or MacBook
• Access sensitive personal or business data
• Disable important security features

This makes the updates not just optional, but absolutely necessary for your safety.

Security Flaws Fixed in Latest Apple Updates

Apple has already released security patches addressing multiple issues. Some of the most notable ones include:

• CVE-2025-31229 – A logic issue fixed with improved checks
• CVE-2025-43222 – A memory-related flaw fixed by removing risky code
• CVE-2025-43217 – Privacy indicator issue for camera and microphone
• CVE-2025-43186 – File parsing flaw that caused unexpected app crashes

These fixes protect users from high-risk threats like spyware, data leaks, and unauthorized camera or microphone access.

Which Devices Need the Latest Apple Security Update?

The latest security updates are available across all major Apple platforms, including:

• iOS 18.6 for iPhones
• iPadOS 18.6 for iPads
• macOS Sequoia 15.6
• macOS Sonoma 14.7.7
• macOS Ventura 13.7.7
• WatchOS 11.6
• tvOS 18.6
• VisionOS 2.6
• Safari 18.6

If you own any of these devices, Punjab CERT strongly urges you to install updates immediately.

Risks of Ignoring Apple Updates

Delaying or avoiding these updates can lead to:

• Hackers stealing personal and financial data
• Loss of organizational information in government or corporate systems
• Full device compromise where attackers control everything
• Privacy risks such as microphone and camera misuse

Punjab CERT has marked the severity of these vulnerabilities as “major”, stressing that inaction could put both national and personal digital security at risk.

How to Stay Protected

To protect yourself and your organization:

1. Install the latest Apple updates immediately
2. Regularly check for software updates on all Apple devices
3. Enable automatic updates wherever possible
4. Follow official Punjab CERT security advisories for future alerts
5. For queries, contact Punjab CERT at soc@punjab.gov.pk

By acting quickly, you can reduce the risk of becoming a target of cybercriminals.