OS X El Capitan LogoApple today released Security Update 2016-001 for OS X El Capitan users, introducing important security fixes to the operating system. Apple has also also introduced Security Update 2016-005 for OS X Yosemite users.

The Security Updates are available to all OS X Yosemite and El Capitan users and can be downloaded from the Mac App Store. Apple recommends all users install the update, and a full list of what's fixed can be found in the accompanying support document.

Most security updates are generally built into OS X updates as they are released, with separate security-only updates only being introduced when standard updates to the operating system are not expected. The release of a Security Update for OS X El Capitan suggests we may not see any new versions of the operating system ahead of the launch of macOS Sierra.

Update: Today’s security update fixes a series of critical kernel vulnerabilities that were recently patched in iOS with the release of iOS 9.3.5. On iOS devices, the vulnerabilities were part of a sophisticated jailbreak and malware attack that gave access to all of the functionality of an iPhone or iPad.

Citizen Lab and Lookout, who discovered the vulnerabilities on OS X and iOS, are credited with the fix.

Update 2: There's also a Safari 9.1.3 update to fix vulnerabilities in the Safari browser.

Top Rated Comments

tywebb13 Avatar
121 months ago
400 MB. Serious ****.
There are three parts to it. If you want to install the El Capitan one manually do it in this order:

Full Bundle Update:
http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/50/35/031-75159/4vr88oyevm1r0p30oz6tx3ygo689whk1f4/FullBundleUpdate.pkg (18.8MB)

Firmware Update:
http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/50/35/031-75159/4vr88oyevm1r0p30oz6tx3ygo689whk1f4/FirmwareUpdate.pkg (130.1MB)

Security Update 2016-001 10.11.6: http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/50/35/031-75159/4vr88oyevm1r0p30oz6tx3ygo689whk1f4/SecUpd2016-001ElCapitan.pkg (265.2MB)

Last one requires a restart.

Here are the Yosemite ones:

Firmware Update http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/31/50/031-74572/d6rg3uuihx9tfvsavc7i4vk1ay6q15hvmt/FirmwareUpdate.pkg (115.5MB)

Security Update 2016-005 10.10.5 http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/31/50/031-74572/d6rg3uuihx9tfvsavc7i4vk1ay6q15hvmt/SecUpd2016-005Yosemite.pkg (352.1MB)

(no Full Bundle Update)

The Yosemite one is actually bigger than the El Capitan one.

Alternative links:

Security Update 2016-001 10.11.6: https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1891?locale=en_US

Security Update 2016-005 10.10.5 https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1890?locale=en_US

Notice that there ISN'T one for mavericks. So that's the end of mavericks as far as security is concerned. But they DID release a new safari for mavericks (and yosemite). Here they are respectively:

http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/47/05/031-75479/smgdhqybff3jofycbq8uuciu5td7co45am/Safari9.1.3Mavericks.pkg

http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/62/05/031-75481/c10gu5qoz8bbbk1jczzzvxm9ih4fupo0wz/Safari9.1.3Yosemite.pkg
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrfr Avatar
121 months ago
The actual release notes for this update are here: https://support.apple.com/HT207130
This patches the vulnerabilities just patched in iOS 9.3.5.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S.B.G Avatar
121 months ago
introducing important security fixes to the operating system
I wish Apple would give more details on the "important security fixes" they deploy.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KALLT Avatar
121 months ago
I wish Apple would give more details on the "important security fixes" they deploy.
They do in a separate note, always. It will appear here: https://support.apple.com/HT201222.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LogicalVue Avatar
121 months ago
Be wary if you're using a Mac Pro with the Nvidia web drivers. This broke the current Nvidia driver (346.03.15f02) so no more nice 4K retina display until the Nvidia update is posted.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Quu Avatar
121 months ago
I wish Apple would give more details on the "important security fixes" they deploy.
Here are the release notes for this specific update. [S]https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT205731[/S]

EDIT:// It would appear these are actually not the correct release notes, why Apple reuses the same name for different security updates is beyond me.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
Touchscreen MacBook Feature

Here Are the Four MacBooks Apple Is Expected to Launch Next Year

Monday December 1, 2025 5:00 am PST by
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop. Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
iphone 17 cyber

iPhone 17 Demand Is Breaking Apple's Sales Records

Tuesday December 2, 2025 9:44 am PST by
Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is selling well enough that Apple is on track to ship more than 247.4 million total iPhones in 2025, according to a new report from IDC. Total 2025 shipments are forecast to grow 6.1 percent year over year due to iPhone 17 demand and increased sales in China, a major market for Apple. Overall worldwide smartphone shipments across Android and iOS are forecast to...