iOS 16.6.1 — update your iPhone now to prevent Pegasus from spying on you

iPhone 14 Pro colors lineup up at Apple event — (Image credit: Getty Images)

If you have one of the best iPhones and it's currently running the latest version of iOS (16.6), update it ASAP. Apple has issued emergency security updates to fix two zero-day vulnerabilities in its iPhones, Pads and Macs that enabled Pegasus spyware to tap into a victim's device to view, listen to and watch their every move.

These new zero-day vulnerabilities were found in the Image I/O and Wallet frameworks, as reported by Bleeping Computer. Security researchers at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab first sounded the alarm last week about hackers using malicious attachments to execute arbitrary code on Apple’s smartphones and tablets. The organization, which promptly alerted Apple about the discovery, said it found evidence this vulnerability was “being used to deliver NSO Group’s Pegasus mercenary spyware.”

Apple was quick to patch these zero-days with the release of iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1 and macOS Ventura 13.5.2, which added improved logic and memory handling. However, to prevent hackers from exploiting these vulnerabilities, you'll still need to install Apple's latest round of emergency security updates.

How to keep your Apple devices safe from hackers

Your best defense to keep your iPhone, iPad and Mac protected from cyberattacks is to keep all of your devices up to date and running the latest software. Apple’s incremental iOS, iPadOS and macOS updates do more than just add nifty new features — they also often include security patches to address the zero-day vulnerabilities described above and other security flaws.

For added protection, you'll want to use the best Mac antivirus software on your Mac as there's been a surge in Mac malware in recent years, a trend that isn’t likely going to slow down anytime soon.

To keep your iPhone or iPad safe, Apple’s own malware scanning restrictions are the reason there isn’t an iOS equivalent of the best Android antivirus apps. But there is a workaround available. Intego Mac Internet Security X9 and Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 can both scan an iPhone or iPad for malware when they’re plugged into a Mac using a USB cable.

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Alyse Stanley is a news editor at Tom’s Guide, overseeing weekend coverage and writing about the latest in tech, gaming, and entertainment. Before Tom’s Guide, Alyse worked as an editor for the Washington Post’s sunsetted video game section, Launcher. She previously led Gizmodo’s weekend news desk and has written game reviews and features for outlets like Polygon, Unwinnable, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun. She’s a big fan of horror movies, cartoons, and roller skating. She's also a puzzle fan and can often be found contributing to the NYT Connections coverage on Tom's Guide