More bad news for Apple users – especially those who believe that Apple computers don’t need antivirus programs because they just don’t get viruses or other forms of malware. Just two weeks after we issued an alert about Apple iPhones, iPads, and iPods could be hijacked and effectively have the user and their machine spied on quite easily in their daily life – Apple Macintosh computers and Safari users are now affected by a similar issue.

Described as the “most sophisticated spyware package” ever seen, “Pegasus”  exploited three software vulnerabilities which lets a hacker take control over your compromised computing device in just one tap. Apple Mac and Safari users who are visiting a ‘maliciously crafted website’ could install similar spyware on the computer. It takes advantage of a known memory vulnerability that the Apple operating systems which further exploit two additional vulnerabilities. These two additional vulnerabilities locate the kernel which is the core of the operating system and gain access to it. Once the kernel has been reached, a cyber criminal could access your banking details, read all your emails, track your location, and more.

In some instances, Apple users were not prompted to update their software so if you have not please follow the below instructions:

If you are an Apple Macintosh user, please update your software immediately. To do this, go to the App Store –> Updates –> install Security Updates.

If you are yet to update the software on your iPhone or iPad, please update your software by going to Settings –> General –> Software Update.