Apple releases critical security updates for all products

If you put off installing the latest Apple security updates, now is the time to do it, according to Australian security watchdogs Stay Smart Online.

"Last week Apple released security updates to address vulnerabilities in a number of their products including computers, AppleTV, watches, smartphones and tablets. If these updates haven't been installed automatically on your Apple devices already, or if you postponed the installation when prompted, install them now," a statement says.

Apple recently released a range of updates for macOS, watchOS, iPhones, iPads and AppleTV. Stay Smart Online says that the updates are a precautionary measure and also fix vulnerabilities in the platforms.

Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities to access or take control of devices - opening them up to malware, credential theft or information corruption. Those vulnerabilities are often unintended and part of the design or configuration process, Stay Smart Online explains.

Some of the latest updates to macOS include 802.1X updates for certificate authentication, CoreAudio, CoreText, iBooks and both the Intel and NVIDIA Graphics Drivers. Security has also been tightened up.

Similar updates for iOS include AVEVideoEncoder, CoreAudio, iBooks, Safari and other security updates.

Stay Smart Online warns that if users put off installing the updates, they should do so immediately.

The company also recommends activating automatic updates when possible so that security updates are applied as soon as they become available.

If users choose not to use automatic updates, they should be vigilant about threats, update schedules and making sure any products in use are protected against threats.

"If they are affected install the updates as soon as possible to minimise the risk of being attacked."