Apple warns billions of iPhone users to update immediately or risk 'extremely sophisticated attack'

Apple has called on its users to ensure their devices are up to date or risk a cyberattack by criminals hoping to gain access to their phones.

Phone technology has come a long way in the last couple decades but as things have gotten more sophisticated so have the criminals looking to exploit users.

Apple is well aware of this and has called on iPhone users to download its latest iOS after the company identified a major security flaw.

The fix is expected to protect users from a 'extremely sophisticated attack' that is exploiting a critical zero-day vulnerability.

Releasing a statement earlier this week, Apple said: “This is a supplementary fix for an attack that was blocked in iOS 17.2.”

Apple released a statement calling for users to update their devices (Getty Stock Images)

The vulnerability was identified within Webkit, the browser engine used in Safari and all other internet browsers created for the iPhone or iPad.

Exploiting this, hackers can create malicious websites that allow them access to other smartphone areas outside of a victim's web browser if they visit these fake websites.

Speaking about this Apple also said the latest zero-day vulnerability was likely used in a cyber-attack on 'specific targeted individuals,' using Apple's software updates which were older than iOS 17.2.

Apple released iOS 17.2 way back in December 2023 so if you haven’t done so already, a quick update is more than justified.

Speaking to UNILAD, Sarunas Sereika, a senior product manager at cybersecurity company Surfshark, emphasized the importance of ensuring all of your tech products are updated.

He said failure to do this can open up a person to cyber attacks and malware, that the updates would otherwise address.

He said: ”You have to keep your software up to date.

“Sometimes that means you need a newer phone, but in this case, simply keep your software up to date to eliminate any back doors for hackers.”

Updating your phone can help protect you from cyber attacks and criminals (Getty Stock)

He also noted that criminals having access to your phone could prove more disastrous than you might imagine.

He added: “Personal data is being stolen and that includes not only name, but typically, your credentials, your emails, your financial data.

“That is actually identity theft which could lead to further fraudulent transactions, financial losses, or just simply emotional distress knowing that someone has just taken your data.”

So not only would a victim have to worry about someone pretending to be them over the internet, but this could also result in criminals using the identity to commit further attacks or scams on other unsuspecting individuals.