MacOS 11.2 fixes major security bugs — update now

(Image credit: Apple)

You're going to want to download macOS Big Sur 11.ii now. Trust united states of america.

The update, released Monday (Feb. 1), looks like a small update on paper, but it includes fixes to a ton of security flaws.

Apple tree's security notes documentation for the update lists 57 different CVE (common vulnerabilities and exposures) bug that are addressed by the update. While you don't need to know about all of them, a couple are important enough to get you to hit download.

How to download and install macOS Big Sur
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The most dangerous issues at hand are v different flaws that could let a malicious assaulter wreak havoc by elevating their system privileges to cause chaos.

As is standard Apple policy, these fixes are also being released for systems running the 2 previous macOS versions, where applicable. Those are macOS Catalina 10.15.7 and Mojave 10.fourteen.vi, for those who didn't update to macOS Big Sur.

The bottom of these flaws, in which a local attacker could mess with your arrangement, were patched in Crash Reporter, Endpoint Security and IOSkywalkFamily.

The more unsafe elevated privileges flaws were found in Kernel and Power Management, and while both were patched, Apple notes information technology is aware of reports claiming the quondam issue "may have been actively exploited."

Multiple other Kernel fixes hither requite you more than reason to update now. Two cases where a malicious application could execute arbitrary lawmaking with kernel-level (i.e., the core of macOS) privileges were patched.

The other big call-out from Apple'due south security notes comes in Messages. This is more nearly privacy, technically, just Apple notes that a user "removed from an iMessage group could rejoin the group," which is exactly the wrong thing you want to hear later y'all kicked someone out of a text so gossiped behind their back. Nosotros didn't exercise such a thing — that's just a hypothetical.

However, Large Sur 11.two doesn't address a serious flaw that was uncovered a twenty-four hours subsequently the update was released. The vulnerability, first constitute on Linux systems, lets express-user accounts gain full control of a Mac, and could be exploited by malware or remote attackers.

How to update to macOS 11.2

Fortunately, it's really like shooting fish in a barrel to update your Mac to BigSur eleven.ii. The one slice of optional communication I have is to back upwards your system regularly and to check to make sure yous have a backup earlier you update. This is more than of an issue for bigger updates, merely it's a good habit to form.

Open Organization Preferences (Apple tree Logo > System Preferences)
Click Software Update
Click Update Now

Other macOS 11.ii features

The full release notes for macOS xi.two note that Apple solved five other bug, including resolutions for external brandish issues and ProRaw photos and one annoying glitch where an admin password would not unlock System Preferences.

External displays may show a blackness screen when connected to a Mac mini (M1, 2020) using an HDMI to DVI converter
Edits to Apple ProRAW photos in the Photos app may not salvage
iCloud Bulldoze could turn off after disabling the iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents Folders option
Organisation Preferences may not unlock when inbound your administrator password
Globe central may not display the Emoji & Symbols pane when pressed

Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Guide roofing streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past six-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He'south also covered the wild earth of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.