Apple aware of Crash Safari code, looking into a fix

There's a web page out there called Crash Safari that uses JavaScript to put your browser into a loop, crash it, and potentially crash your device as well. Apple is aware of the page — and more importantly, the code — and is looking into a fix.

The internet being the internet, however, pranksters are already circulating the prank using URL shorteners and redirects through social networks, links, and email, to try and deliberately crash other people's browsers. So, until the fix is released, make sure you follow the same safety tips that apply to any form of phishing attack:

  1. On iOS, touch-and-hold (long press) on a text link to see the full URL. If you have an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus, don't press hard enough to open the 3D Touch preview, as that will execute the code and crash Safari.
  2. On OS X, hover over a text link to see the full URL.
  3. Avoid shortened links. You never know what might be behind them.
  4. Don't tap or click on any link that seems suspicious in any way — that's just good safety practice anyway.

As always, there's no need to worry, just be aware. Hopefully the fix will be out shortly. In the meantime, surf safe!

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.