Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod users: Update your mobile operating system iOS now to patch a serious SSL encryption bug that opens you wide to a “man-in-the-middle-attack,” (MITM) especially when you use unsecured WiFi, for example at a cafe, hotel, or airport, even at your home. The flaw is “as bad as you could imagine” says one cryptography expert.
What is protected and what’s not
The 7.0.6 update is for all devices that can run iOS 7; iPhone (4 and later), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad (2nd generation).
The iOS 6.1.6 update is for the iPhone 3GS and fourth-generation iPod touch.
ATTENTION: The bug still exists in Apple’s Mac OS X 10.9.1 desktop operating system and there is no patch for it at this time.
How to update your iOS
- 1. Plug the device into your computer
- 2. Open iTunes
- 3. Click the device name
- 4. Click the button that says, “Check for update”
The best protection is VPN
This security flaw allows a cybercrook to use an insecure WiFi connection to put a man electronically “in the middle” of the transactions you make on your iPhone or iPad to intercept data.
“The flaw is in SSL, and the easiest way to exploit that is via unsecure/public WiFi,” said Ond?ej Vl?ek, AVAST’s COO told Apple users in San Francisco before the annual RSA conference begins. “avast! SecureLine VPN for iOS can protect against the Apple security bug.”
The MITM attack gives them access to the information you thought was secure like credit card numbers. The best protection is to plug that hole with a VPN product.
How to get avast! SecureLine
avast! SecureLine VPN is available as a monthly or yearly subscription for iOS in the Apple App Store.
Watch this video for more information on avast! SecureLine VPN
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