Apple releases fix to High Sierra operating system vulnerability

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Do you have the newest Mac operating system? Anyone can hack you right now
Apple's High Sierra operating system is slick and fast -- but a flaw in its security is creating a huge problem that enables anyone, anywhere to hack you just by typing a single word.

CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Apple announced on their website Wednesday that the company has released an update to address the security flaw in their High Sierra operating system.

The latest operating system is slick and fast, but a flaw in its security created a huge problem allowing anyone to hack you by typing a single word.

Security researchers disclosed a bug Tuesday that facilitates instant hacking by typing the word "root" as a username with a blank password. Once you click the unlock button two times, the hack will give you instant access.

This bug is dangerous because it allows any user anywhere to gain entrance to your files and your saved information on your computer.

Apple released a statement before pushing out the fix on the issue, saying: "We are working on a software update to address this issue. In the meantime, setting a root password prevents unauthorized access to your Mac. To enable the Root User and set a password, please follow the instructions here. If a Root User is already enabled, to ensure a blank password is not set, please follow the instructions from the 'Change the root password' section."

Experts were concerned that malware could gain root access this way and screw up computers in quicker than ever before.

Cyber security expert Melody Moh, a professor at San Jose State University, called Apple's security flaw "mind blowing."

"You can do anything and everything. You can delete that legitimate user's account, you can lock his account. You can access his bank, his email, Twitter, Facebook. Anything," Moh said.

Apple unveiled the High Sierra operating system on Sept. 25 which came pre-installed on a handful of computer models.