Here’s how to update your Apple devices after Pegasus spyware detected
Security experts say that iPhone users should update their devices as soon as possible to deal with dangerous security flaws in its mobile operating system.
After the Pegasus spyware created by Israel-based NSO Group was found in iPads and iPhones, Apple Inc. released an emergency update late last week to patch the vulnerability. Researchers with the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab said in a post Thursday they found Pegasus on an Apple device of an employee of a Washington-based civil society group.
Citizen Lab did not provide further details on the affected individual or the organization.
How to Update and What to Do
To install the iOS 16.6.1 update, open Settings on your iPhone, then select “General” followed by “Software Update.” You should see the iOS 16.6.1 software update there; tap to begin the installation.
If you don’t see the update, go back to the General page, then tap “About” to check your iOS version number. If it’s 16.6.1, you already have the update installed.
If your phone is still using 16.6 or an earlier version, repeat the above steps. If you still don’t see an update, try restarting your phone. If that doesn’t make the update appear, double-check your internet connection and then wait a bit before trying again.
Apple’s update is available for the iPhone 8 and later, the iPad Pro, the iPad Air 3rd generation and later, the iPad 5th generation and later, and the iPad mini 5th generation and later versions.
While spyware can be difficult to detect, tools such as iVerify can be used to determine whether the malware is on your phone or device. Some researchers, meanwhile, have said that restarting an iPhone or another device—turning it off and turning it back on—can disrupt the spyware.
Citizen Lab noted that turning the Apple device’s Lockdown Mode on can potentially mitigate the threat posed by the malware—namely, if your device is at a greater risk of attack.
