iPhone users urged to update 'as soon as you can' over security issues

iPhone users are being urged to update their phones as soon as possible amid security fears.

If you're an iPhone user - and let's face it, you probably wouldn't be reading this if you weren't - then you probably remember seeing the iOS 17.1.2 update appear at the end of November.

Just a couple of weeks later, however, there's a shiny new update available, and users are being encouraged to update as soon as possible.

Apple’s iOS 17.2 brings with it a range of new features, but the new Journal app and Action Button updates aren't the only reasons people are being encouraged to update.

The new update fixes a total of 12 security vulnerabilities, some of which are said to be serious.

Apple hasn't offered up much detail about what's been fixed to allow people as much time as possible to update their devices before attackers can take advantage of them, but WebKit, which underpins Safari, is among the areas which have been patched.

Apple

Two flaws were fixed in WebKit, including one which could allow an attacker to execute code.

Another issue fixed in the update is a Bluetooth-related vulnerability, which could allow an attacker with access to capture keystrokes.

Sean Wright, head of application security at Featurespace, said some of the issues could be 'be chained together to allow an attacker to be able to potentially have significant access to the device', Forbes reports.

Wright noted that there's currently no indication the flaws are being used in attacks, but not updating your phone could leave you open to exploitation.

With that in mind, he encouraged iPhone users to update 'as soon as you can'.

The latest update comes after iOS 17.1.2 was released as an emergency update to fix two flaws being used in real-life attacks.

Pixabay

However, as well as the security fixes that iOS 17.2 offers, the update also comes with a whole host of exciting new features for iPhone users.

The aforementioned Journal app is one feature that will make a lot of users happy, as it allows people to document moments from their lives.

The app comes with a variety of features to help inspire the entries, and users can schedule notifications to remind them to add an entry.

Other new features include the option to turn the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro into a translation tool, as well as improvements to Messages, Music and Weather.

The update isn't available to everyone, but can be downloaded on all iPhones released in 2018 or later.

To find the update, open Settings, then click 'General' before hitting 'Software Update'.