Apple Offering Security Patch

Apple Computer Inc. on Friday began offering a free update for its OS X operating system to protect users from a recently discovered security flaw.

Users who don’t apply the patch available at Apple’s website could have data deleted or stolen if they follow e-mailed links to websites built by hackers.

Once at the sites, their computers could be compromised by malicious code.

“Apple takes security very seriously and works quickly to address potential threats as we learn of them,” said Apple Senior Vice President Philip Schiller.

Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple had been criticized by users and independent security researchers for failing to warn customers about the problem, which had been discussed on websites devoted to Apple topics and in an article in The Times on Friday.

-- Joseph Menn