Apple sounds alarm: Update your Mac right now now or else

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Apple’s on high alert, and this time it’s serious.

Your laptop is under threat from some nasty vulnerabilities lurking in JavaScriptCore and WebKit, the engine powering Safari.

Think: malicious web content crafted to wreak havoc, potentially leading to cross-site scripting attacks or even arbitrary code execution (that’s fancy speak for “hackers could take over your device”).

What’s The Damage?

JavaScriptCore: A bug in how it processes web content could open the door to arbitrary code execution. Essentially, visiting a malicious site could let attackers run wild on your Mac. Apple Support

WebKit: A vulnerability in cookie management makes your device vulnerable to cross-site scripting attacks. That means bad actors could hijack your web sessions and steal sensitive info.

Who’s At Risk?

Anyone running macOS Sequoia, which means:

• Any Mac or MacBook running Apple Silicon (that’s the M-series chip)
• Intel-powered Macs with Xeon W or Coffee Lake (or later) chipsets, which translates to iMac Pros (2017+), iMacs (2019+), MacBook Pros (2018+), Mac Minis (2018+), and Mac Pros (2019+)

Update Already!

Don’t wait – jump on that update to macOS 15.1.1. Here’s how:

• Head to System Settings > General > Software Update
• Click “Update Now”

(Note: On older Macs, go to System Preferences > Software Update)

If you need a detailed guide that walks you step-by-step, check out our guide here: How to update your Mac.

What Else?

This wasn’t a solo move, reports MacRumors. Apple also dropped updates for iOS and iPadOS, so while you’re updating your Mac, don’t forget to update your iPhone and iPad too.

Your Mac is only as secure as the updates you install. Don’t gamble with your device’s security (and all that sweet, sweet personal data). Update now, and breathe easy knowing you’ve locked down those vulnerabilities.

Now that you’re aware of these critical vulnerabilities in JavaScriptCore and WebKit, we want to hear from you! Have you updated your Mac to macOS 15.1.1 yet? Do you have any concerns about web security or tips for staying safe online? Let us know in the comments below!

Kevin Raposo

Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at kevin@knowtechie.com or find him on Mastodon or Post.