As a class, we've talked a little bit about privacy, specifically our privacy online. Since you're already aware of the privacy issues that can potentially arise online and through other technologies, you should stop reading this post now and go update your iPhone. Seriously, if you have an iPhone, download and install iOS 7.0.6 as soon as possible. I'll tell you exactly why.
When I receive the iOS update pop-up on my phone, I usually close out of the box and forget about the update until I get tired of the little notification on my settings app, which is exactly what I did this time around until I read this article.
Upon releasing the update, Apple issued a press release saying the new iOS would fix a bug in which "an attacker with a privileged network position may capture or modify data in sessions protected by SSL/TLS." SSL and TLS are essentially protocols keeping user information private and secure. The Apple bug to be fixed by the iOS update leaves you vulnerable to attackers who can intercept information you send over the server. That means if you're on a public network, an attacker could be targeting you. Through this bug, they have access to whatever you send in Safari, as well as your mail accounts or any personal information you submit on your phone. To put the icing on the cake, this has been going on since September of 2012.
A year and a half later, consumers are finally offered an update to fix the problem. But what if a hacker has already intercepted your information? I guess it's just too late for you! It's scary to think these big companies that create products consuming a major part of our lives aren't fully informing us on important issues such as this one. Most people will upgrade and move on. Is that really the standard we're setting for corporations like Apple? Consumers threw a fit when they realized their personal information may have been compromised in a security breach in Target stores nationwide. So, why is it any different when it's our iPhones, a device so near and dear to our hearts?
iPhone users or not, most people (myself included) should stop being so naive when it comes to our privacy in the new technological era. Odds are, this recent Apple bug bug was not meant to be malicious or harmful; it was likely just a mistake in the coding. Nonetheless, it's a mistake that could cost users big time. We need to start questioning large corporations and small businesses alike to make sure they're doing everything they can to ensure our personal information is protected.
I can already hear Apple saying, "I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!"