The Apple SSL happens to be one of the worst and most frightening that we have ever seen on iOS and OSX. The issue which came about on Friday does pose a serious threat to security and anyone who owns a device with iOS should be alarmed. There is a solution to the problem but those who own a Mac computer will be vulnerable to attacks that could mean their sensitive data is at risk.
It doesn’t matter whether you own an iPhone 3GS on 6.1.3 or the MacBook Pro, you could be at risk if you have not patched your iOS device.
Last Friday Apple sent out an update to iOS 6.x and 7 to patch the issue which had been found on the Apple SSL/TLS browser. If you patch the problem with the latest version owners of iOS devices will be ok, but at the moment there isn’t a fix for those using Mac computers. However there are steps that people can take to secure themselves until Apple sends out an update. An Apple spokesperson said that a fix would become available soon.
Anyone who has a Mac computer should not connect to a Wi-Fi location in public as this would put you at risk. When at home make sure that your connection is password protected as the same risks would apply. When the update is sent out by Apple owners should update straight away.
While there is a fix for users of iOS, some people don’t want to update, more so those who like a jailbroken iPhone. Some people have been complaining about lack of free memory for the update or the fact that they need to back-up first as their data is lost. However this is better than being hacked.
When the SSL/TLS is working properly the sensitive data on your handset cannot be hacked. But when there is a flaw in it your data is at risk.
TLS/SSL is able to encrypt your data so that only those authorised can read it. While encryption doesn’t stop people hacking it, it does reduce the chances.
Up to now no one was aware of the error with the SSL on iOS as the private security researcher who found it didn’t report it, however now Apple have discovered it in-house. But the issue is that the SSL bug has become known to the media and explained and now low level hackers could get to your information when you are using a public Wi-Fi network.
So anyone with an iOS device should update as soon as they can to avoid hackers getting hold of their private data.
