In the market for an iPhone? Here's a breakdown of all the currently shipping iPhones from Apple.
iOS 12.1.4 Now Available With Group FaceTime Bug Fix
Apple today released a new iOS 12.1.4 update for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, with the new software designed to fix an insidious privacy-invading Group FaceTime bug that could be exploited to eavesdrop on conversations.
The new iOS 12.1.4 software can be downloaded on all eligible devices over-the-air using the Settings app. To download it, go to Settings --> General --> Software update.
Though Apple's release notes for the update list "security updates" without going into specifics, the issue that's being fixed here is the Group FaceTime vulnerability. After the bug was widely publicized last week, Apple promised a fix, which was delayed to this week.
The FaceTime bug allowed someone to spy on you without your permission or knowledge. By exploiting the bug, a person could initiate a FaceTime call with you and then add themselves to the call again to force a Group FaceTime connection.
When this happened, the bug caused the person to be able to hear the audio on your end, despite the fact that the call was never answered and still looked like a standard FaceTime incoming call interface. In some situations, if you pressed the side button to silence a call, it would even give the person access to your video.
It was a serious bug, so serious that Apple took its entire Group FaceTime server offline as the company took the time to prepare the iOS 12.1.4 update. The Group FaceTime bug was publicized last Monday and Group FaceTime has been offline since then.
The Group FaceTime bug may have required some major under-the-hood changes to FaceTime given that it took Apple nearly two weeks to fix the issue. Following today's update, the Group FaceTime bug will no longer be able to be exploited and Apple will be able to bring its Group FaceTime server back online.
It continues to be unclear just how long the Group FaceTime bug was available for. Group FaceTime was introduced last October, and Apple has not let us know if the bug has been around since that launch date or if it was introduced in a later iOS 12 update.
The new iOS 12.1.4 software can be downloaded on all eligible devices over-the-air using the Settings app. To download it, go to Settings --> General --> Software update.
Though Apple's release notes for the update list "security updates" without going into specifics, the issue that's being fixed here is the Group FaceTime vulnerability. After the bug was widely publicized last week, Apple promised a fix, which was delayed to this week.
The FaceTime bug allowed someone to spy on you without your permission or knowledge. By exploiting the bug, a person could initiate a FaceTime call with you and then add themselves to the call again to force a Group FaceTime connection.
When this happened, the bug caused the person to be able to hear the audio on your end, despite the fact that the call was never answered and still looked like a standard FaceTime incoming call interface. In some situations, if you pressed the side button to silence a call, it would even give the person access to your video.
It was a serious bug, so serious that Apple took its entire Group FaceTime server offline as the company took the time to prepare the iOS 12.1.4 update. The Group FaceTime bug was publicized last Monday and Group FaceTime has been offline since then.
The Group FaceTime bug may have required some major under-the-hood changes to FaceTime given that it took Apple nearly two weeks to fix the issue. Following today's update, the Group FaceTime bug will no longer be able to be exploited and Apple will be able to bring its Group FaceTime server back online.
It continues to be unclear just how long the Group FaceTime bug was available for. Group FaceTime was introduced last October, and Apple has not let us know if the bug has been around since that launch date or if it was introduced in a later iOS 12 update.
Tags: FaceTime, FaceTime Listening Bug
[ 82 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
13 months ago
[MEDIA=youtube]lI2za9p95r0[/MEDIA]
Still really digging the all caps "MAJOR" in the title of the video, but I think the thumbnail needs more work to really grab people's attention.
Still really digging the all caps "MAJOR" in the title of the video, but I think the thumbnail needs more work to really grab people's attention.
So is Group FaceTime re enabled server side? Or do they wait for a certain percent to upgrade? Those on 12.1.3 will still be vulnerable correct?
I presume Group FaceTime is re-enabled server side for all those who make a FaceTime call with the newest version of iOS. It probably remains disabled for earlier versions.
13 months ago
Only Apple can do this.
Imagine if this problem was on Android, users would be waiting for years (probably forever) for an update fix it.
Imagine if this problem was on Android, users would be waiting for years (probably forever) for an update fix it.
13 months ago
It’s about time Apple. Only a week behind......but who even uses Group FaceTime anyways? Might as well update just in case
Should they have rushed out a fix to save a week? They disabled it on the server side.You people are priceless.
13 months ago
Just installed phone seems a lot more responsive.
I believe the canonical expression is "snappier."
13 months ago
but who even uses Group FaceTime anyways?
Really? Broaden your imagination. This is a _huge_ tool for companies for communicating when they can’t congregate together or if employees are spread about, or family members that are set apart that can’t can see each other regularly.
The Agency that I work for, is already planning on using group FaceTime for when we have a scheduled meeting, when not all the employees can attend because we work different shifts/hours. I would say this a nice advantage to have when I can be at home and talk to my supervisor/other fellow colleagues direct with this new feature.
13 months ago
What is the status with Group FaceTime on Macos?
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/07/apple-releases-macos-10-13-4-facetime-fix/There is an update that addresses it.
13 months ago
I haven't received one facetime call while this "bug" existed. I have, on the other hand, had so many older family and friends reach out to me DEATHLY CONCERNED about this bug. I suspect, however, that none of them received any facetime calls during this time period either. I just laughed each time and said if you get a FT call and you don't want to take it, just turn the phone off. You cant be spied on if your phone isn't on... or not that we know of (I left that last part out of course).
13 months ago
So is Group FaceTime re enabled server side? Or do they wait for a certain percent to upgrade? Those on 12.1.3 will still be vulnerable correct?
[ Read All Comments ]
Apple intends to donate money in support of groups fighting the outbreak of the Coronavirus in China, Tim Cook said on Saturday.
Electron micrograph of coronavirus virions
In a morning tweet...
This week saw an interesting variety of Apple news and rumors, ranging from rumors about upcoming iPhone and iPad releases to Apple TV+ announcements to news that Adobe Flash support will finally be...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Choetech to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a 61W USB-C power adapter and accompanying USB-C cable for charging a Mac or an iPad Pro.
...
Best Buy has kicked off a new 3-day sale as we head into the weekend, with discounts on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Beats products, and iPhone cases. This sale lasts through Sunday, January 26 at 11:59...
The App Store is experiencing a temporary outage that started at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time, according to Apple's System Status website. Apple's site says that there's an unspecified ongoing...
Throwboy, known for its Iconic Pillow Collection featuring a selection of plush pillows designed to look like Apple devices, today launched a new selection of mini pillows called the "Pocket...
The Powerbeats Pro have returned to their lowest-ever price of $199.95 on Amazon, down from $249.95. This sale is the same one we've been tracking for the Powerbeats Pro since last fall,...
Samsung is said to be working on its own answer to AirDrop, Apple's ad-hoc service that lets users transfer files among Macs and iOS devices over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
According to XDA...
