Still on the fence about upgrading to iOS 14.4?
We’ll give you one good reason to run this update right now: better security!
That’s right – iOS 14.3 actually has a long list of vulnerabilities. And hackers apparently exploited them already, at least according to Apple. So every second you continue using 14.3 gives cybercriminals more time to find a way to steal your data.
We’ll tell you all about them in this article. We’ll also show you how to upgrade to iOS 14.4, what else to do to keep your data safe, and what other improvements the new iOS version has to offer.
Why iOS 14.3 Is No Longer Safe to Use
It’s mainly due to three security flaws: one that affects the system kernel (the main part of your iPhone’s operating system) and two that affect WebKit (the open-source browser engine that Safari and other apps use).
For starters, the system kernel issue is extremely serious. A hacker could abuse it by tricking you into installing and using a malicious app. Apple is pretty vigilant about the apps that end up on its iTunes store, but a few fake ones still manage to slip through the cracks from time to time. If you end up using one, a cybercriminal could abuse the iOS 14.3 system kernel vulnerability to gain elevated privileges. That means they could get access to sensitive data like your messages, photos, and more.
Next, the WebKit issues. They could allow a hacker to run arbitrary code on Safari (essentially, make it do whatever they want). They might have to trick you into interacting with malicious files and messages, but that’s easily achieved through phishing (no matter how careful you are, unfortunately). If they’re successful, they can force Safari to send your traffic to fake sites (like a phishing site that pretends to be PayPal).
That’s Just the Tip of the Iceberg!
Those three security flaws are bad, we know. However, like the amazing Billy Mays would say – but wait, there’s more!
Besides those three vulnerabilities, iOS 14.3 is plagued with many other issues. From Bluetooth flaws that let hackers run arbitrary code and DoS attacks to a FairPlay issue that could cause kernel memory disclosure (it could leak secret data like cryptographic keys) if a malicious app is used.
To see the full list, we recommend reading this very informative support article from Apple. Fair warning, though – it’s a lot to take in.
How to Upgrade to iOS 14.4 (Simple Step-By-Step Guide)
Okay, so you’re ready to ditch iOS 14.3 to avoid falling prey to hackers. But how do you do it?
It’s pretty simple, actually. Just follow these five steps:
- Head over to Settings.
- Select General.
- Pick Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install.
- Wait until the upgrade is finished.
Congrats! Your data is now safe and sound. While you’re at it, you might also want to enable automatic updates. You can easily do that by going to Automatic Updates and setting Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates to the On position.
Two More Ways to Keep Your iPhone Data Safe
Upgrading to iOS 14.4 is a great step, but that’s not enough if you want to avoid hackers’ sneaky attacks in the future. To enjoy that kind of peace of mind, you should also use an antivirus program. It can protect your iPhone from malware infections, and even block connections to shady sites which might host malicious content.
Besides that, you should also use a VPN. It’s software that encrypts your traffic and hides your IP address. Combined, those features protect your from traffic eavesdropping (cybercriminals can’t see what you do online) and DDoS/DoS attacks (hackers can’t target your network since they don’t know your IP). The best iPhone VPNs can be found if you click here. It’s a comprehensive overview of the most secure iPhone VPNs on the market.
What Else Is New in iOS 14.4?
Well, the bug fixes are a lifesaver. They make using iPhones so much more convenient. You can check the full list on Apple’s site. If you want to read about them here, we put this list together:
- Using the keyboard will be much more enjoyably now. Typing is no longer delayed, and word suggestions should appear as normal now (they didn’t show up all the time before).
- Speaking of the keyboard, you know how it could sometimes show up in a different language in Messages before? Well, now it works really well – you should see the right language all the time.
- You’re now able to answer phone calls from the Lock Screen even if Switch Control in Accessibility is enabled.
- Your Fitness widget will now display properly updated Activity data.
- The HDR photos you take with your iPhone 12 Pro won’t be ruined by random visual artifacts anymore.
- The audio stories you listen to in CarPlay’s News app will resume as usual after you pause them to give spoken commands or interact with Siri. Before, they’d sometimes not resume playing at all after pausing them to do that.
Sounds good, right?
Well, that’s not all. iOS 14.4 also comes with some cool new improvements. The highlight for us is the fact that your iPhone 12 will now notify you whenever it detects a non-genuine Apple camera. So if you ever have to get your device’s camera replaced, you never have to worry that the repair person will use a cheaper off-brand camera and charge you extra for it!
And yes, that feature is available for all iPhone 12 devices: the standard model, and the Mini, Pro, and Pro Max models.
What’s Stopping You from Upgrading to iOS 14.4?
If getting more security isn’t a good enough reason, than what would it take to convince you to do that?
Also, do you know other ways to secure your iPhone besides using a VPN and antivirus program? If yes, please mention them in the comments. If the solutions involve lengthy processes, don’t forget to include a step-by-step guide if you can.
