While Apple's hardware and software was once seen as largely immune to the security issues affecting other companies, that belief was probably misplaced then and it's certainly wrong now.

In fact, Apple has demonstrated a worrying inability to secure its products. Of course, this does not make it unique - but some of the issues discovered recently appear to be remarkably fundamental. It has also been slow in reacting when notified of issues, particularly when those notifications come from ordinary users.

One conclusion to take from these incidents is that Apple's devices - including the iPhone - are less secure than people imagine. As Google researchers have tweeted, 2 vulnerabilities they found have been actively exploited in the wild. And it has been demonstrated that previous issues have been used as part of cyber esionage tools such as Pegasus.

This means it's essential to install updates when they are released. We know (from sometimes bitter) experience that the installation process is not always smooth and so, if pushed, we might admit that our own policy is to test the new software before rolling it out more widely. But we advise against delay, particularly when it's known that vulnerabilities are being exploited.

Updating iOS devices

Before installing any updates, do make sure you have an up-to-date copy of the information on your device. The easiest way to do this is to use iCloud - and we recommend setting backups to take place automatically. To check this, go to Settings | Your Name | iCloud. This will tell you when the last successful backup took place and tapping Back Up Now will initiate a new backup. Depending on the amount of data on your devicem, the process can take a while to complete. Do make sure it's finished before trying to install the new software. (Apple's guide).

If software is not set to download automatically, it's worth checking for the latest version because iPhones and iPads don't always pick up the new software. The easiest way to carry out the update is to use WiFi - but again do make sure the connection is secure.

Select Settings | General | Software Update
If new software is available, details will appear with a link to further information.
To install, select Download and Install
The device will begin downloading the software and then install it. Do give yourself plenty of time because it's essential you don't interrupt this process.

Apple's guide to updating iOS is here. It also has advice on what to do if you run out of space or you get an error message.

Updating macOS devices

As with iOS devices, make sure you have an up-to-date copy of your information. 

The update process for macOS depends on which version you're running. In Mojave, select System Preferences | Software Update. Even if automatic updates are selected, it's worth checking manually to see whether a new version is available. 

In versions prior to Mojave, open the App Store and select Updates in the toolbar.

Again, it's essential to ensure the update process completes - and, depending on the size of the update, this can take a considerable time. We have a golden rule which is never to try to install updates in a hurry.

Apple's guide to updating macOS is here.