Apple’s security bug: What to know about it and what to do about it

Apple users, it’s time for some updates.

The tech giant took the unusual step of releasing an update for its mobile operating system, iOS, to fix one bug -- one that left Apple devices wide open to hackers and spies looking to grab users’ most sensitive information. The bug affects iOS devices and Mac computers; Apple has yet to release a patch for its laptops and desktops. Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller said that Apple is “aware of this issue and already have a software fix that will be released very soon” for Mac OS X devices. The security firm CrowdStrike, one of the first to release information on the patch, said that the bug in Apple’s system leaves devices open to hackers by letting them bypass the verification that Web sites use to encrypt sensitive information, called SSL/TLS. Go to your Settings menu to update your system through the “General” submenu. Right now. I’ll wait. This is the kind of update that should not be ignored, and it doesn’t take long to install. Apple has pushed out updates for iOS 7 users, as well as for iOS 6 users who’ve been wary to make the jump to the firm’s newest system.