Cyber ​​experts warn of the dangers of using Apple AirPlay

Do you like using Apple AirPlay? Then it wouldn't hurt to quickly perform the latest software update or to turn off AirPlay. Researchers from the cybersecurity company Oligo Security have discovered quite a few vulnerabilities in AirPlay that increase the chance of hacking.

With Apple AirPlay, you can stream content from your iPhone , iPad, and iMac to another device. For example, if you're watching your favorite series on your phone and want to switch to a bigger screen, click the AirPlay logo, select your television, and the series will continue on your big screen. You can do this not only with images, but also if you're listening to music on your phone and want to switch to a speaker in your room.

According to Oligo , cybercriminals can exploit AirPlay bugs to execute malicious code, steal your personal data, crash your devices, and listen to your conversations. These vulnerabilities have also been reported to Apple, which has since rolled out a software update for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Vision Pro devices to fix the bugs. According to Apple, hackers can only do damage if they are on the same Wi-Fi network as the device they are targeting.

Still, Oligo estimates that tens of millions of devices are currently at risk. “Because AirPlay is supported by so many devices, it will take years to patch all of them. They may never be patched. And that’s all because of vulnerabilities in one piece of software that affects everything. So if you don’t update your devices, there’s a good chance they’ll get hacked ,” says Oligo co-founder Gal Elbaz.

By the way, do you charge your iPhone overnight? There’s a reason you shouldn’t .

To prevent hacking, it’s important to make sure all of your Apple devices are running the latest software. You can also turn off the AirPlay feature for added peace of mind. When AirPlay is turned on, it will constantly be broadcasting and listening for signals in the background, even when you’re not actively using it. Turning this off will prevent your device from doing this, and will also remove any entry points for hackers to take control of your device. Here’s how to turn off AirPlay:

• You go to settings
• Then click on 'AirPlay and Continuity'
• Then click on 'AirPlay' and check 'never'

Online crime on the rise: young people in particular are the victims

Gen Z'ers critical of their own phone use: 'This generation craves offline space'