NTP bug fix was Apple's first ever automated security update
On Monday December 22, Apple released a new security update fixing security issues affecting NTP (network time protocol) in OS X. While updates are a common occurrence for any computer user, Monday's update was a first for Apple -- it was the first time the company pushed out an automated security update to its users.
Apple introduced the technology for automatic security updates two years ago, but before Monday it had never actually used the option. However, due to the seriousness of this particular bug the company felt it was important to keep users secure and push it through.
In a statement to Reuters, Apple spokesman Bill Evans praised the unobtrusiveness of the update saying "the update is seamless. It doesn't even require a restart." We've officially entered a new era of Apple security.
How do you feel about automatic updates, even ones like this which keep you protected from outside access to your systems? Would you rather know what is being installed and fixed before it hits your computer when it's this critical, or is security more important than needing to greenlight each update?
