Pakistan’s cyber security teams have issued urgent warnings asking all citizens to immediately update their Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs to protect their personal information from hackers.

Both the National Cyber Emergency Response Team and Punjab’s cyber security team released alerts warning that hackers can easily break into Apple devices that haven’t been updated with the latest security patches.

What’s the Danger?

According to Punjab’s cyber security team, hackers can now:

• Take complete control of your device just by making you view a suspicious photo
• Access your device through a normal-looking email
• Turn on your camera and microphone without your knowledge
• Crash your apps and steal your personal information
• Bypass all security protections on your phone

The government warns that something as simple as opening the wrong email or viewing a suspicious image could give hackers full access to everything on your device.

Which Devices Need Updates?

Apple has released security updates for:

• iPhones running iOS 18.6
• Mac computers running macOS 15.6
• Apple Watches running watchOS 11.6
• iPads and other Apple devices

Users should go to their device settings and install these updates immediately.

National Security Concern

The National Cyber Security team says protecting citizen data is now a matter of national security. They’re worried about:

• Weak security systems in government offices and companies
• Old computer systems that are easy to hack
• Personal information being sent without proper protection
• Dangerous apps being installed on devices
• Poor cyber security habits among users

When hackers steal information like CNIC numbers, health records, or bank details, it doesn’t just hurt individuals – it can be used against Pakistan by criminal groups or hostile countries.

What Citizens Should Do

Immediately:

1. Update all Apple devices to the latest software version
2. Don’t open suspicious emails or photos from unknown sources
3. Only download apps from official app stores
4. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication

Organizations should:

• Update their computer systems regularly
• Train employees about cyber security
• Encrypt sensitive data
• Follow proper data protection rules

The government says this warning is especially important now as Pakistan is building new institutions like the National Commission for Personal Data Protection to better protect citizens’ personal information.

India’s cyber security team has also issued similar warnings about Apple device security, showing this is a global threat that Pakistan is taking seriously.

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