Apple’s on again/off again Rapid Security Response patches for iOS 16.5.1, macOS Ventura 13.4.1 and iPadOS 16.5.1 are once again available. These have been cleared of the bugs that caused Apple to withdraw them after the initial release.
The updated RSR patches are critical because they close a security hole that has been exploited by hackers.
Rapid Security Response patches rereleased
Apple developed Rapid Security Responses to enable it to quickly close vulnerabilities in its operating systems. These patches only fix security problems and make no other changes.
The Mac-maker introduced a trio of them on Monday, July 10 to fix a WebKit vulnerability, but was forced to withdraw them because they caused problems with some websites. Fortunately, RSR patches can be uninstalled as easily as they are installed.
But the problems are (theoretically) over, and the patches are back again. And despite the initial difficulties, it is recommended that iPhone, Mac and iPad users get them as the descriptions all say, “Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.”
A Rapid Security Response patch is installed the same way a full iOS, iPadOS or macOS update is. Read Cult of Mac’s guide for more details.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
