Apple recently updated their iOS 6 iOS 7 mobile operating system to fix a security issue that was revealed on Friday, Feb. 21.
The security glitch gives hackers the opportunity to take and change data during transactions that were supposed to be secure, according to Sky News.
The glitch affects users' iPhones, iPads and iPods that contain the iOS systems, The New York Times reported. The security issue affects both mobile and desktop operating systems and can be invaded by hackers, whether the user is on a public Wi-Fi network or in any other location.
Apple stated the glitch is related to the way data passes between internet browsers and websites that use digital security certificates, Sky News reported. These websites include online retailers and banking websites.
Apple stated on Tuesday the security update to Mac computers also made an improvement to features, including its FaceTime videoconferencing service and email, according to Reuters.
Researchers claimed the bug that caused the glitch could have existed for months, Reuters reported. Apple has not yet stated how or when it found out about the issue in the way iOS holds its sessions. The technologies used are referred to as transport layer security (TLS) or secure sockets layer (SSL). Apple has also not stated if the glitch was exploited by anyone.
The SSL/TLS are supposed to encrypt conversations the browser and the server a user is attempting to access when he/she visits a website, according to The New York Times. These two technologies are represented by "https" in the browser URL bar, and are supposed to show that the browsing is secure.
Paul Ducklin, a security expert at internet security firm Sophos, said Mac users should not use Apple's Safari internet browser, Sky News reported. Ducklin said users should instead switch to Firefox, Chrome or other browsers until the problem is completely solved. Ducklin said users should also avoid Wi-Fi networks that are not secure.
