The big tech giants were busy little elves in December, scrambling to deliver security patches for major vulnerabilities. Google, Microsoft, and Apple all released significant updates to fix bugs and keep users safe across their platforms.
Google led the charge by patching nearly 100 flaws in Android. The most severe could have let hackers gain complete control of devices without needing extra permissions – yikes! Google warned Android users to get the update ASAP before any attacks could happen.
Microsoft also unveiled a big patch bundle with over 30 fixes, including several dangerous remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities. One of these bugs could have tricked users into clicking malicious links or downloading infected files, potentially handing over access to attackers. Not ideal!
Meanwhile, Apple dropped iOS 17.2 to address 12 iPhone vulnerabilities. One flaw in the WebKit browser could have allowed bad actors to run malicious code on iPhones. Another bug could have let apps bypass security sandboxes on iPhones and get elevated privileges. Apple told users to get the update pronto.
The huge number of critical flaws patched in December shows why keeping devices updated is so important. It prevents attackers from exploiting known bugs and wreaking havoc. This is especially true for widely used platforms like Windows, Android and iOS where holes impact tons of people.
So pat yourselves on the back tech companies for these security gifts, and users make sure to unwrap those updates quickly! It may not be as fun as a new iPhone under the tree, but a secure device is the best present of all.
