World scrambles to update their iPhones, iPads and Macs after Apple revealed hackers could 'exploit' security flaw granting them access to EVERYTHING from bank accounts, social media, private photos, emails and personal contacts

• Apple has disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for certain models of iPhones, iPads and Macs 
• Security experts say issues could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of the devices 
• iPhone 6S and later models; and several models of the iPad from 5th generation all affected by issues
• Also affected are iPad Pros, iPad Mini 4 and later, iPad Air 2 and later and Macs on MacOS Monterey
• ** Has your Apple device been hacked in recent days? Please email: tips@dailymail.com ** 

Apple users were today urged to update their devices after the firm disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.

The US company said it is 'aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited' and released two security reports about the issue on Wednesday, but they have only now received more widespread attention.

Security experts told users to update affected devices – the iPhone 6S and later models; and several models of the iPad, including the 5th generation and later, all iPad Pros, the iPad Mini 4 and later and the iPad Air 2 and later.

The update, iOS 15.6.1, also applies to the iPod Touch 7th generation. In addition, Mac computers on MacOS Monterey are affected - with users urged to download '12.5.1'. The issues were found by an anonymous researcher in 'WebKit', the browser engine that powers Safari; and 'Kernel', which is the core of the operating system.

There have so far been no confirmed reports of specific cases where the security flaw had been used against people or devices, and Apple has made no official statement on the issue further to an update on its website.

In this update on its support page, Apple said one of the flaws means a malicious application 'may be able to execute arbitrary code with Kernel privileges' - which has been described as meaning full access to the device.

Andy Norton, chief cyber risk officer at Armis, told MailOnline today: 'This clearly has wide-reaching implications. Apple products have become a mainstay of everyday life, facial recognition, banking apps, health data.

'Pretty much everything we hold dear resides on our Apple products. Historically, many people have not updated their Apple products for fear of shortening the lifespan of their devices. That behaviour now must change.'

The update can be obtained by going to the 'Settings' section of a device, and choosing the 'Software Update' option. The iOS update is not required for older operating systems such as macOS Cataline and Big Sur.