From one of my computer and network security newsletters:

quote:

Apple Emergency Updates for iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watch
(March 26 & 27, 2021)

Apple has released emergency updates for iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. The updates address a vulnerability in the Apple WebKit browser engine that is reportedly being actively exploited. Users are urged to update to iOS 14.4.2, iPadOS 14.4.2, and watchOS 7.3.3.Apple also released an update for older iPhones, iOS 12.5.2.

I thought it odd there was another update after I'd done one just within the last couple weeks. Now I know why.

Did it yesterday

My wife updated her phone and iPads Sunday. She swears they are slower now but I seriously doubt it. She is of the opinion that updates always slow down her devices

Mine are current, but I have them do it automatically.

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:
She is of the opinion that updates always slow down her devices

Sometimes it does. My wife and I have each experienced it in the past, but not for a couple years or so.

Usually, when it does happen, a reboot and/or giving it 2-3 days clears it up.

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:
She is of the opinion that updates always slow down her devices

This is very common in software. We used (partially) joke about each new release, "Not only is it fatter and more bloated, but also buggier and slower."

There are sometimes speed improvements made, but typically it is all about adding features (or screwing up things that used to work just fine, depending on your point of view). The general thinking seems to be that Moore's Law will have faster hardware right around the corner, we might as well use it. Besides, it gives the users a reason to upgrade...

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

quote:

Originally posted by Bytes:
She is of the opinion that updates always slow down her devices

Sometimes it does.
Usually, when it does happen, a reboot and/or giving it 2-3 days clears it up.

Sometimes the problem is Apple thinks it knows better then you how your optional settings should be set. It's always a good idea to check they haven't turned on something you had disabled after an update.

Thanks. Phone is updating. Wife’s will when/if she ever stops talking in it.
iPads will be getting the same momentarily.

Thanks for the heads up, currently updating 2 iPhones and an iPad. Thought it was odd that we didn't receive any notification from Apple regarding this.

quote:

Originally posted by NOCkid:
Thought it was odd that we didn't receive any notification from Apple regarding this.

I imagine they roll out notifications using some kind of algorithm to avoid their servers getting slammed.

I noticed, about two days prior to the email I quoted, because I'd received a Watch update notification, but no phone or tablet. I found that strange, so I checked manually.

I think this is the one that 1 of the 2 zero day security teams in Google found.. zero day exploits that were being actively targeted by some state actors even (in iOS, Android and Windows I think).

Thanks for the heads up, guys. My iPhone was automatically updated, but my wife's and my iPad were not. Wife says "What would you do without the SigForum guys?"

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Thanks for the heads up, guys. My iPhone was automatically updated, but my wife's and my iPad were not.

As I noted: Apple rolls out update notices in chunks. She would have received them eventually.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Wife says "What would you do without the SigForum guys?"

I actually had my wife once ask me, not long ago, to ask the SF Oracle's opinion on something about which she wanted to know