We told you about Apple’s iOS update today and that it fixed some playback issues for AirPlay, but the big news here is that the company has fixed a pretty serious vulnerability that we told you about in March.

The affected devices were iPhone 4, 4S, iPad 2 and new iPad, and this is what was happening:

It was discovered by David Vieira-Kurz of MajorSecurity and the associated advisory details an error in how Safari handles the JavaScript window.open() method (which opens a new browser window). This could potentially be used to “trick users into supplying sensitive information to a malicious web site.”

The security issues that were fixed were outlined by Apple today along with its release of iOS 5.1.1:

Available for: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation) and later, iPad, iPad 2

Impact: A maliciously crafted website may be able to spoof the address in the location bar

Description: A URL spoofing issue existed in Safari. This could be used in a malicious web site to direct the user to a spoofed site that visually appeared to be a legitimate domain. This issue is addressed through improved URL handling. This issue does not affect OS X systems.

At that time we suggested that you be careful about tapping links from sources that you weren’t familiar with. It looks like Apple has fixed the problem, but always be cautious as you surf around the interwebs. Also, don’t skip updates.

Catch the latest Apple news right now at TNW Apple.

Remember that whole thing about how Google overrode Safari’s privacy settings to track your Internet browsing? Yep, that’s the one.

It seems like Google is going to get more than just a slap on the wrist from the FTC, according to Bloomberg. Its sources say that Google could face fines in the “tens of millions” for its sneaky actions.

At the time, Google said that it was performing this workaround on Safari browsers for those users who were signed in with their Google accounts, to make sure that they were seeing the appropriate personalized ads and had the ability to +1 things that they found interesting. Sounds like a big fat excuse to me.

Here’s how Google characterized the Safari override:

To enable these features, we created a temporary communication link between Safari browsers and Google’s servers, so that we could ascertain whether Safari users were also signed into Google, and had opted for this type of personalization. But we designed this so that the information passing between the user’s Safari browser and Google’s servers was anonymous–effectively creating a barrier between their personal information and the web content they browse.

However, the Safari browser contained functionality that then enabled other Google advertising cookies to be set on the browser. We didn’t anticipate that this would happen, and we have now started removing these advertising cookies from Safari browsers. It’s important to stress that, just as on other browsers, these advertising cookies do not collect personal information.

Apple wasn’t happy and moved quickly to patch its browser up. The Bloomberg report says that the FTC will file its claim, and fine, due to the fact that Google was deceitful:

The FTC is preparing to allege that Mountain View, California-based Google deceived consumers and violated terms of a consent decree signed with the commission last year when it planted so-called cookies on Safari, bypassing Apple software’s privacy settings, the person said

While “tens of millions” might be the equivalent of an accounting error for the ginormous company, it’s a warning from the FTC that it’s being watched and won’t be able to pull a fast one like this in the future.

What browser do you use in Windows? Apparently if you live in Europe, the answer is a resounding Safari. That is right folks, in the great ballot poll, Firefox lost out to the lowly webkit-based Safari.

Apple must be so proud, their baby is still not a great browser, but is all the rage.

Given the long term discomfort of the EU about the inclusion of Internet Explorer, notwithstanding their silence of the imperialism of Notepad, Microsoft has offered to include at the launch of Windows to provide options. When a user first fires up Windows, they will get to select a browser to install.

Here comes the problem, the browsers will be listed alphabetically. When you test the user selections, the votes come in: IE, Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and then Opera. This is a horror show for Firefox, a great bump for Chrome and Safari, and a free boost for the oft ignored Opera.

Problem is, when you put FireFox that far down on the list, it loses to Safari. Guess who is hating the EU tonight all of a sudden? Don’t expect this to stick.