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Apple products are considered to be a status symbol in India. The advanced features of the iPhone along with a blend of its elegant look make it a reason for its hype. The introduction of larger display sizes and spectacular camera features have captivated the attraction of tech enthusiasts.
In the first half of 2024, the share of Apple in the Indian smartphone market was 25.9%, up from 23% in 2023. On the other hand, Android has a share of 95.17% of India's mobile operating system market while Apple's iOS has 3.98%.
In 2023, Apple shipped more than 10 million smartphones to India, considered the best year for Apple products in the country.
The iPhone 16 Pro hit Indian stores in Mumbai and New Delhi on September 20. On the opening day of the sale, sellers noted a 25% increase in sales on the first day for the iPhone 16 Pro models compared to the previous year.
Apart from that, the e-commerce platforms, Blinkit and BigBasket delivered iPhone 16 to the doorsteps of the customers in just 10 mins. This led to stocks accelerating within a few minutes in both Blinkit and BigBasket.
According to Counterpoint Research's early estimates, the first-day sales of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were 20% higher than the previous year. The iPhone Pro model has experienced a 25% increase in sales as compared to the previous year.
The Apple iPhone 16 is launched with Apple Intelligence. Since June, Apple has been aggressively promoting its AI capabilities, Apple Intelligence.
There is a catch regarding the safety concerns of Apple. One of the significant reports by Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-In) issued an alert to Apple users on September 19. The warning is regarding the security vulnerabilities detected in Apple products. The vulnerabilities are detected in devices including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS.
The CERT-In has alerted that if vulnerabilities are not addressed then it may lead the attackers to gain access to sensitive information on devices. The cyber attackers can gain access to the device to execute arbitrary code on the device and bypass critical security restrictions. The cyber attackers can also increase access to take over the system and perform spoofing attacks.
CERT-In’s alert pinpoints several Apple products and software versions that are especially vulnerable. According to the agency, users running older software versions are at higher risk of falling victim to cyberattacks. Here's a breakdown of the affected software and versions:
1. iOS: Versions before 18 and 17.7
2. iPadOS: Versions before 18 and 17.7
3. macOS Sonoma: Versions before 14.7
4. macOS Ventura: Versions before 13.7
5. macOS Sequoia: Versions before 15
6. tvOS: Versions before 18
7. watchOS: Versions before 11
8. Safari: Versions before 18
9. Xcode: Versions before 16
10. visionOS: Versions before 2
The CERT-In advisory outlines the nature of vulnerabilities that affect Apple’s products. These security flaws, if left unresolved, could potentially allow attackers to gain access to sensitive data. They can also execute arbitrary code, bypass critical security restrictions, and even cause denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
1. iOS and iPadOS: iOS versions before 18 or 17.7 are susceptible to various threats, including DoS attacks, information leakage, and bypassing security restrictions.
2. macOS (Sonoma, Ventura, Sequoia): Older versions of macOS also face significant risks, such as data manipulation, DoS attacks, privilege escalation, and cross-site scripting (XSS).
3. Safari and Xcode: Older versions of Safari are susceptible to spoofing attacks, where attackers could deceive users into visiting malicious sites.
4. visionOS: Users of visionOS, particularly versions before 2, may be at risk of data manipulation, DoS, and information disclosure.
The CERT-In warning comes at a critical time when Apple's latest iPhone 16 series is making headlines. These security loopholes could provide attackers with a gateway to steal personal data, manipulate device functions, and even control entire systems.
Indian Apple users, in particular, need to take heed of this warning. India has seen a rapid increase in smartphone usage, with millions of users relying on their devices for everything from online banking to personal communications. The interconnected nature of Apple's devices means that a single unpatched vulnerability could have cascading effects across multiple platforms and devices.
CERT-In has strongly advised users to update their devices immediately to the latest software versions available. Apple regularly releases software updates that include security patches to address known vulnerabilities. By staying up-to-date, users can mitigate the risks of cyberattacks and safeguard their data.
In addition to updating their devices, users should also be vigilant about any unusual activity on their systems. Unauthorized logins, unusual network traffic, or unrecognized applications could be signs of a compromised system. Implementing strong security measures such as two-factor authentication (2FA), password managers, and encrypted backups can add additional layers of protection.
The introduction of the iPhone 16 has captivated the users but the vulnerabilities detected on Apple products have posed significant risks. By staying proactive and staying updated, individuals can safeguard against possible intrusions. With the emergence of new technology, cyber threats have increased. So, it is necessary to remain vigilant in protecting personal and sensitive data.
