Following the release of iOS 172 earlier this month, Apple released a rare incremental update for the iPhone

As Forbes reported, Apple did not include any information about the vulnerability, so it is not clear whether iOS 1721 fixes the specific security flaw affecting the best iPhones However, Apple stated in the update itself that it "provides important bug fixes" and is "recommended for all users"

At the bottom of the update is a link to Apple's support page, which, when clicked, indicates that iOS 1721 is either an Apple security update or one of the company's Rapid Security Responses

There is speculation online that the update fixes a battery life issue with certain iPhone models, but for those who are gifting an iPhone to a loved one, the update may be just in time for the holiday season

At the same time, however, the iPhone has been the target of many spyware attacks recently, and this update may fix a critical vulnerability in the background that Apple is not yet ready to disclose The company has been secretive about vulnerabilities in the past However, an Apple spokesperson said that there is nothing more than what is mentioned in the release notes and did not mention any security fixes [iOS 1721 is available for iPhone XS and later To check if the update is ready, go to Settings, tap General, and then head to Software Update

One reason I think this surprise update may be more serious than Apple is currently announcing is due to the fact that the best MacBooks also received incremental updates

Like iOS 172, macOS Sonoma 142 was released earlier this month However, in a separate support document from Apple, the company reveals that macOS 1421 fixes a critical vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-42940

The flaw itself is a session rendering issue and was discovered by Craig Hockenberry of Iconfactory The vulnerability is unlikely to be exploited by hackers, but could result in incorrect content being shared when Mac users share their screens

If you own a Mac and an iPhone, it would be best to update both devices simultaneously as soon as possible to avoid dealing with possible problems

The first and most important thing you can do to keep your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices secure is to install the latest updates as soon as they become available Hackers often target devices running outdated software

In addition to this, you should also consider installing the best Mac antivirus software on your Apple computer, as it can protect you from Mac malware and other cyber threats for antivirus software for iOS, There is no equivalent to antivirus software for Android, but Intego's Mac antivirus software can scan both the iPhone and iPad for malware when they are connected to the Mac via a USB cable

Apple devices are known to be more secure than Android and Windows devices, but as their popularity grows each year, they are increasingly targeted by hackers iOS 1721 and macOS 1421, from Apple down the road More information may be forthcoming, but since there was not much information in the advisory to begin with, it is likely that this will not be the case