iOS 17.2 installation strongly recommended due to 11 serious security vulnerabilities

I don't usually talk about every iOS or macOS update on my blog, but every now and then there are exceptions that I care enough about to give them an article. Sometimes it's impressive new features and sometimes, as in the current case, it's important security updates that you should install.

What does iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 bring?

iOS 17.2 is here, and it's not just any update, but one that should be applied too early rather than too late. With 11 - some serious - security vulnerabilities fixed, it's still a spot update that's easy to install as usual, but it's still an urgent update for every iPhone and iPad user.

About the update you can read more here at Apple, but I would like to briefly highlight a few important points here.

Fixed security issues in iOS

One of the prominent issues was a memory error in ImageIO that could lead to arbitrary code execution when processing certain images. Without going into technical detail, an appropriately prepared image could be used by attackers to execute malware or similar on the iPhone or iPad.

Then there is the WebKit engine, the heart of your Safari browser. A bug in WebKit also meant that bad people could have executed arbitrary code on your device. Apple has addressed this problem with improved memory handling.

Another weak point concerned Siri, with whom I am already somewhat at loggerheads. Siri was vulnerable to attacks that allowed physical access to sensitive user data. This security hole will also be fixed with the new update.

But there are more reasons to update to iOS 17.2, as the update also includes improvements to Bluetooth security, Accounts, Find My, and more, each with its own set of threats that are now eliminated. From privacy issues to vulnerabilities that allow apps to break out of their sandboxes, Apple has worked on many fronts and mitigated some things.

If you still have an older iPhone that doesn't run iOS 17, you'll get it iOS 16.7.3 are also important security updates that you should install.

Install iOS updates – the quick guide

iOS updates usually install overnight when the device is connected to the power supply. But if you still want to trigger it manually, you can install the update using the following method:

1. Settings
2. General
3. software update

On this page you should actually see the update and be able to start it. Please note that the update will only start if your device has at least 50 percent charge and, ideally, is still connected to the power supply.