Virus fears force Apple into sending out first ever auto Mac security update

Apple has sent out its first automatic security update for Mac computers as researchers warn about new bugs. Experts claim the bugs could mean hackers are able to gain remote control of machines. Previously, Apple has released its security patches through its regular software update system which requires user approval. The technology company has pushed out the software to fix critical security vulnerabilities in a component of its OS X operating system called the network time protocol (NTP). NTP is used for synchronising clocks on computer systems.

The update is seamless. It doesn’t even require a restart.

Apple spokesman Bill Evans

The bugs were mentioned in security bulletins on Friday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute. Carnegie Mellon identified dozens of technology companies, including Apple, whose products might be vulnerable. Mr Evans said Apple decided to deliver the NTP bug fixes because it wanted to protect customers as quickly as possible due to the severity of the vulnerabilities. Apple developed technology for automatically pushing out security updates two years ago but has never previously used it.

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