Apple Releases Feature that Can Install Security Fixes without Full OS Update

Colin Thierry Colin Thierry

Apple announced a new Rapid Security Response feature in macOS Ventura and iOS 16 on Monday that installs security fixes without performing a full operating system (OS) version update.

The feature is designed to separate critical security patches from regular system updates in order to protect users from cyberattacks. Apple tested a similar version of this feature in iOS 14.5.

“macOS security gets even stronger with new tools that make the Mac more resistant to attack, including Rapid Security Response that works in between normal updates to easily keep security up to date without a reboot,” Apple said in its press release.

However, this separation between urgent security patches and regular software updates is not the only recent development Apple’s been working on. During its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, the tech giant also revealed that iOS would support third-party two-factor authentication (2FA) apps with its built-in Passwords feature.

iOS 16 users also will be able to edit Safari-suggested strong passwords in order to match site-specific requirements. Additionally, the company announced that apps will now request the user’s permission to access the clipboard in order to copy and paste text between apps.

Lastly, Apple disclosed passkey support in the Safari web browser. With passkeys, users provide unique digital keys and store them locally on devices.The keys are tied to Face ID or Touch ID, so users can quickly access them by using biometric verification.

“Passkeys never leave your device and are specific to the site you created them for, making it almost impossible for them to be phished,” Apple said in a macOS Ventura Preview announcement. “Passkeys are end-to-end encrypted and sync across your Apple devices through iCloud Keychain.”

About the Author

About the Author

Colin Thierry is a former cybersecurity researcher and journalist for SafetyDetectives who has written a wide variety of content for the web over the past 2 years. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, watching sports, and playing video games.