Apple fixes exploitable Safari bug

This is an important message for iOS users if they haven’t already updated their devices to iOS 10.3, it is imperative that they do it as soon as possible.

While there are very less noticeable features other than “Find my Airpods”, it however does include one major security patch for an intimidating Safari exploit.

According to Lookout, the scammers exploited the handling of pop up dialogs in Mobile Safari in such a way so that it would lock out the victim using the browser. The attack would block use of Safari browser on iOS until the victim relents and pays the ransom in the form of an iTunes Gift Card. During the lockout, the criminals display threatening messages so as to scare and bully the victims into paying.

Photo credit: Lookout Blog

While Lookout outlines a method to clear the Safari’s cache and make it functional again, it states the goal of the threatening message is mainly to “scare the victim into paying to unlock the browser before thee victims realize they don’t actually have to pay the ransom to recover data or access the browser.”

The security patch is yet another reminder that it doesn’t matter how secure a platform is, no platform is truly secure. So moral of the story is: GO UPDATE YOUR iPHONE!