Apple is continuing their push to deploy patches for their iOS and OS X operating systems to plug a hole in the way their devices handle SSL security.
Late on Friday evening, an update appeared on my third-generation Apple TVs presumably to address the same SSL patch. After applying the update, both of Apple TVs now show as having OS version 6.0.2 (6646.81.1) installed.
In a statement to the Reuters news agency yesterday, Apple indicated that there would also be an updated made available for desktop and laptop computers running Mac OS X software.
“We are aware of this issue,” said Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller, “and already have a software fix that will be released very soon.”
The defect in the security software could allow unauthorized access to documents, email, and other personal information stored on iOS devices and Mac OS X computers. The revelation that these publicly unscheduled software updates shows how serious the SSL software defect really is and how responsive Apple is to ensuring their customer’s safety.
Apple’s second and third-generation Apple TVs run a version of the company’s iOS software. As previously noted, Apple deployed over-the-air updates to iOS 7.0.6 to current model iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners, while iPhone 3GS and iPod touch fourth-generation owners received iOS 6.1.6.
There also has been talk that these security vulnerabilities and/or weaknesses had be intentionally left in iOS and Mac OS X as a kind of “back door” for government agencies to use to snoop on American citizens. I for one believe Apple CEO Tim Cook’s statements from earlier this year when he said that Apple has not worked with U.S. government to compromise the computer security of their customers. I think the speed at which Apple has made these patches and rolled them out to customers confirms that.
Apple’s latest security patch information can be found on the Apple support website.
[Via Reuters.com…]