NITDA alerts Nigerian on Apple Device privacy breach
…gives tips on wayout
…collaboration among agencies key to tackling risk- Former president ATCON
National Information Technology Development Agency(NITDA), has alert Nigerians Users of Apple Devices data privacy breach.
Citing Apple released security updates, the Apex Technology Regulatory Agency in Nigeria revealed that some products of the America tech giant are vulnerable to privacy breach.
This was contained in a statement made by NITDA’s Head Corporate Affairs and External Relations Unit, Mrs Hadiza Umar on Wednesday.
In the statement titled, “Apple Patches Security Flaw Affecting All Apple Devices”, she disclosed that a spyware called Pegasus gets deployed into targeted device, turns on the camera and microphone to record messages, texts, emails and calls, even if sent via encrypted messaging apps.
Accordingly she said, “Apple has released security updates for a newly discovered zero-day vulnerability that affects every iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. Research revealed that, the zero-click exploit, which targets iMessaging, is used to illegally spy on iOS devices.
“An attacker infects and exploits an Apple device without the victim’s knowledge or the need for the victim to carry out any action.
“Once the attacker has control of the device, the attacker compromises the user’s credentials, gains access to entire infrastructure, identify sensitive assets and move laterally within the network”.
She further said, “Users are strongly advised to immediately update their iOS devices with latest patches iOS 14.8. Updates are available for free from Apple.
How to update iOS devices with Patches iOS 14.8
Users are advised to follow these steps to update iOS:
First, Plug your device into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi; then Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update; Tap Install Now. If you see Download and Install instead, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, then tap Install Now; After the install process begins, a message that says “Verifying Update” appears; wait for it to finish; After verification is complete, your device will restart then the Apple logo and a small progress bar in the center of the screen; When installation is complete, you can unlock and use your iPhone again as usual.
Meanwhile install patches on Apple watch, the agency advised users to:
Begibg by Openning the Apple Watch app on your iPhone; then Tap My Watch, go to General > Software Update, then, if an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Also in the case of update on macOS, Users are advised to do the following:
From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, click System Preferences; First Click Software Update; then Click Update Now or Upgrade Now: Update Now installs the latest updates for the currently installed version; Upgrade Now installs a major new version with a new name and If Software Update says that your Mac is up to date, then macOS and all of the apps it installs are up to date.
Reacting to the development in a chat with NewsDirect, the Former President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) called for collaboration among the Office of The National Security Adviser(ONSA), Nigeria Customs Service and NITDA for proper testing of devices it enter the country to avert risk.
According to him, “there have to be an opportunity where NITDA will collaborate with the Office of National Security Adviser(ONSA), Nigerian Customs and other stakeholders to come up with system for proper testing of devices entering the country before it is released to the public”.
