Apple Will Enable iOS 18 Security Updates for iOS 26-Capable Devices
8 hours ago
- #DarkSword Exploit
- #iOS Security
- #Apple Updates
- Apple is changing its policy to provide security patches for older iOS versions, specifically iOS 18, to protect against the DarkSword hacking tool, marking a shift from its usual approach of requiring updates to the latest OS.
- DarkSword is a sophisticated hacking technique that silently compromises iPhones running iOS 18 via malicious websites, with widespread use in espionage and theft across multiple countries, and its code has been publicly shared, increasing accessibility.
- Many users resisted updating to iOS 26 due to dislike of features like the 'liquid glass' interface, app incompatibility, storage issues, or age verification concerns, leaving millions vulnerable until Apple's backported patches.
- Apple's move to backport fixes for DarkSword follows similar action for the Coruna hacking toolkit earlier in March, highlighting a growing need to protect users on older iOS versions as hacking techniques become more pervasive.
- Cybersecurity experts criticize Apple's delay in backporting critical fixes, arguing it should be standard practice to protect users, especially given the severity and public spread of threats like DarkSword and Coruna.