2010
ProtectMac AntiVirus Version 1.1.4 Released
18/11/10 11:52
A new version of ProtectMac AntiVirus has been released, containing the following changes:
Version 1.1.4 will be downloaded automatically if users have ‘Checked for Updates’ enabled in the application’s Updating preferences, which is enabled by default. Or the new version can be downloaded manually via the ‘Check For Updates’ option in the menu bar icon. Users can view the version number of ProtectMac AntiVirus in the application’s About box. See Screenshots
- An initial update check is now performed immediately after running for the first time
- Improved checking for invalid Device scan locations.
- Resizing and display of the desktop progress window has been made more reliable.
- Graphical improvements to the user interface and installer window
- Updated scanning technology
Version 1.1.4 will be downloaded automatically if users have ‘Checked for Updates’ enabled in the application’s Updating preferences, which is enabled by default. Or the new version can be downloaded manually via the ‘Check For Updates’ option in the menu bar icon. Users can view the version number of ProtectMac AntiVirus in the application’s About box. See Screenshots
Security Update for Mac OS X 2010-007
11/11/10 11:35
Following the release of Mac OS X 10.6.5, Apple has also made available a security update for Mac OS X. This update contains a number of security fixes and is recommend for all Mac OS X users running 10.4 and above.
Further information on the improvements in Security Update 2010-007 can be found here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
The latest security fixes can be downloaded via Apple’s Software Update mechanism. For users with multiple computers who wish to download the update only once, the update can be found here http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1329
Note, Mac OS X users who have upgraded to Mac 10.6.5 will already have these fixes installed.
Avalanche of Snow Leopard improvements in 10.6.5
11/11/10 11:34
Apple have today released their latest version of Mac OS X, 10.6.5.
This update is considerably large, with over 100 bug fixes, enhancements and stability improvements. The release is recommended for all Snow Leopard users and is available via the normal Apple Software Update channel. The update includes the following
If you need to update multiple computers and would prefer to download the relevant update only once then this can be located on the following webpage http://support.apple.com/downloads/
This update is considerably large, with over 100 bug fixes, enhancements and stability improvements. The release is recommended for all Snow Leopard users and is available via the normal Apple Software Update channel. The update includes the following
- improve reliability with Microsoft Exchange servers
- address performance of some image-processing operations in iPhoto and Aperture
- address stability and performance of graphics applications and games
- resolve a delay between print jobs
- address a printing issue for some HP printers connected to an AirPort Extreme
- resolve an issue when dragging contacts from Address Book to iCal
- address an issue where dragging an item from a stack causes the Dock to not automatically hide
- resolve an issue with Wikipedia information not displaying correctly in Dictionary
- improve performance of MainStage on certain Mac systems
- resolve spacing issues with OpenType fonts
- improve reliability with some Bluetooth braille displays
- resolve a VoiceOver issue when browsing some web sites with Safari 5
If you need to update multiple computers and would prefer to download the relevant update only once then this can be located on the following webpage http://support.apple.com/downloads/
Full details of the new version are described in the following Apple knowledgebase article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4250
Information on the security features of the update can be viewed here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
Note: the security update can also be downloaded separately and contains fixes for 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6 systems
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1329
Apple recommends that you back up your system before upgrading to 10.6.5.
OSX.Boonana- Koobface variant discovered
01/11/10 11:33
A Mac version of the Koobface trojan has been discovered circulating the social network and internet sites targeting Mac users.
Using what's become known as' social engineering' the unwary user is encouraged to click on a link in Facebook, Twitter or Myspace that supposes to contain a video of the user.
The multi-platform Java threat is designed to run not only on Mac OS X, but Windows and Linux, too. If the user is persuaded to authorize the java applet, it has the potential to download a number of cross-platform files as well as an installer, which enables the threat to run automatically on each restart .
Infected computers have the potential to be accessed remotely, setup as host servers to spam users or spread the trojan, and contact a number of remote server sites with the intent of downloading further malicious software.
Using what's become known as' social engineering' the unwary user is encouraged to click on a link in Facebook, Twitter or Myspace that supposes to contain a video of the user.
The multi-platform Java threat is designed to run not only on Mac OS X, but Windows and Linux, too. If the user is persuaded to authorize the java applet, it has the potential to download a number of cross-platform files as well as an installer, which enables the threat to run automatically on each restart .
Infected computers have the potential to be accessed remotely, setup as host servers to spam users or spread the trojan, and contact a number of remote server sites with the intent of downloading further malicious software.
So, if you see a request to authorize a java applet whilst accessing your favorite social network or internet site, decline!!
Read more
Mac OS X 10.6.4 Now Available
18/06/10 11:14
The latest version of Mac OS X, 10.6.4, is now available via Software Update. This update is recommended for all users running Snow Leopard and includes the latest Safari web browser release, version 5.0. It also delivers fixes for several application issues and core hardware problems:
• resolve an issue that causes the keyboard or trackpad to become unresponsive
• resolve an issue that may prevent some Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications from opening
• address issues copying, renaming, or deleting files on SMB file servers
• improve reliability of VPN connections
• resolve a playback issue in DVD Player when using Good Quality deinterlacing
• resolve an issue editing photos with iPhoto or Aperture in full screen view
• improve compatibility with some braille displays
Full details of the update are described in the following Apple knowledge base article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4150
The Mac OS X release also includes a number of security updates, amongst which is an update to Apple’s own malware detection for the HellRTS threat - this is a malicious Trojan pretending to be an iPhoto posting on the internet.
Full details of the security update can be found here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
If you need to update multiple computers and would prefer to download the relevant update only once then this can be located on the following webpage http://support.apple.com/downloads/#macosx106
Apple recommends that you back up your system before upgrading to 10.6.4.
• resolve an issue that causes the keyboard or trackpad to become unresponsive
• resolve an issue that may prevent some Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications from opening
• address issues copying, renaming, or deleting files on SMB file servers
• improve reliability of VPN connections
• resolve a playback issue in DVD Player when using Good Quality deinterlacing
• resolve an issue editing photos with iPhoto or Aperture in full screen view
• improve compatibility with some braille displays
Full details of the update are described in the following Apple knowledge base article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4150
The Mac OS X release also includes a number of security updates, amongst which is an update to Apple’s own malware detection for the HellRTS threat - this is a malicious Trojan pretending to be an iPhoto posting on the internet.
Full details of the security update can be found here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
If you need to update multiple computers and would prefer to download the relevant update only once then this can be located on the following webpage http://support.apple.com/downloads/#macosx106
Apple recommends that you back up your system before upgrading to 10.6.4.
Premier Opinion, Spyware, Trojan or legitimate software?
02/06/10 16:15
With the much-heralded discovery of the latest Mac computer threat, OSX/opinionspy, on a variety of Mac software download sites, the question arises as to whether it is actually Spyware, a Trojan or legitimate software.
Clearly the makers of the 7art screensavers believe it is legitimate software, designed to allow you to download their screensavers freely, based on the understanding that you are participating in a market survey by providing details of your computer usage and online habits.
The integral component of the Premier Opinion software does ask you to accept (and presumably read) their conditions before continuing with the installation - there’s no opt-out choice just for this component.
Clearly the makers of the 7art screensavers believe it is legitimate software, designed to allow you to download their screensavers freely, based on the understanding that you are participating in a market survey by providing details of your computer usage and online habits.
The integral component of the Premier Opinion software does ask you to accept (and presumably read) their conditions before continuing with the installation - there’s no opt-out choice just for this component.
Admittedly, the software does not attempt to obfuscate itself so it should be quite easy to spot if you have installed it, there is a menu bar icon at the top of your screen and most of the software is located in the Applications folder - there’s also a launchd file in LaunchDaemons.
Arguably, this ‘threat’ could be classified as a Trojan rather than spyware i.e. you thought you were downloading just a screensaver but got more than you bargained for because it’s installed all these other components:
Once you install the screensaver there is a root process called PremierOpinion that does appear to be reasonably active; what exactly it is collecting from your computer and how that information is used will determine how nefarious this application is.
Uninstalling the screensaver does NOT remove the Premier Opinion software, for that you will need to run the Premier Opinion Uninstaller located in the /Application/Premier Opinion folder by default.
So the moral of this story is read the license agreement in installers and be fully aware of what you are signing up to. If in doubt, only download and install software that you actually need from websites that you absolutely trust - are your private details and computer usage profile worth the risk!
Apple go from strength to strength in the first Quarter of 2010
20/04/10 21:49
Apple today posted their financial results for its second fiscal quarter of the year, ending in March 2010. Revenue of $13.5 billion and profit of over $3 billion were attributed to sales of 8.75 million iPhones, 10.89 million iPods and almost 3 million Macs shipped in the first 3 months of 2010.
It was the best non-holiday quarter figures ever by Apple, with revenues up almost 50% and profit up 90%. With the recent release of the iPad and “...more extraordinary products in the pipeline for this year” the future is looking extremely interesting and healthy for the Cupertino-based company.
Read more... Apple Reports Second Quarter Results
It was the best non-holiday quarter figures ever by Apple, with revenues up almost 50% and profit up 90%. With the recent release of the iPad and “...more extraordinary products in the pipeline for this year” the future is looking extremely interesting and healthy for the Cupertino-based company.
Read more... Apple Reports Second Quarter Results
27- inch iMac EFI Firmware Update
15/04/10 14:15
If you are fortunate enough to own one of the new 27-inch quad-core iMacs then you’ll be pleased to know that Apple have released a firmware update for Mac OS X 10.6.3 to address a number of issues with high processor usage and display backlighting problems.
As usual the update is available through Software Update and will be downloaded automatically if you have ‘Check for Updates’ selected in your System Preferences.
As usual the update is available through Software Update and will be downloaded automatically if you have ‘Check for Updates’ selected in your System Preferences.
Mac OS X 10.6.3 and Security Update 2010-003 Released
14/04/10 16:16
Apple has released a security update for Snow Leopard and Leopard users. The upgrade covers a single vulnerability in Apple Type Services (ATS) when viewing or downloading documents that contain ‘maliciously crafted embedded fonts’ , which was recently reported in the media and credited to computer security researcher Charlie Miller. An Apple knowledgebase article describes the content of the update in more detail, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4131
The size of the Leopard update is considerably larger than the Snow Leopard download as it contains previous security patches. As well as being available via Software Updates, the updates can also be manually downloaded via the links below:
Snow Leopard Update (6.5MB)
Leopard Update - Client (218.6MB)
Leopard Update - Server (379.5 MB)
The size of the Leopard update is considerably larger than the Snow Leopard download as it contains previous security patches. As well as being available via Software Updates, the updates can also be manually downloaded via the links below:
Snow Leopard Update (6.5MB)
Leopard Update - Client (218.6MB)
Leopard Update - Server (379.5 MB)
Mac OS X 10.6.3 and Security Update 2010-002 Released
30/03/10 13:49
Apple has released a major update for Mac OS X. The upgrade to Snow Leopard, 10.6.3, is available through Software Update and will be downloaded automatically if you have ‘Check for Updates’ selected in your System Preferences.
You can also manually download the Update from here if you have multiple computers that need updating and only want to download the update once. Be aware that it is 720MB for the update and 784MB for the Combo Update.
Apple recommends that you back up your system before upgrading to 10.6.3.
The update covers general operating system fixes for a wide variety of applications and core technologies, ranging from Time Machine, Mail, iCal to MobileMe, Airport and Directory Services. Further information can be found on the Apple website About the Mac OS X v10.6.3 Update
In addition, the release includes a significant number of security fixes which are detailed in the following knowledgebase article Security Update 2010-002 Note, the Security Update applies to both 10.5.8 and 10.6
You can also manually download the Update from here if you have multiple computers that need updating and only want to download the update once. Be aware that it is 720MB for the update and 784MB for the Combo Update.
Apple recommends that you back up your system before upgrading to 10.6.3.
The update covers general operating system fixes for a wide variety of applications and core technologies, ranging from Time Machine, Mail, iCal to MobileMe, Airport and Directory Services. Further information can be found on the Apple website About the Mac OS X v10.6.3 Update
In addition, the release includes a significant number of security fixes which are detailed in the following knowledgebase article Security Update 2010-002 Note, the Security Update applies to both 10.5.8 and 10.6
Apple Security Update 2010-01
20/01/10 09:44
Apple has released Security Update 2010-01 to fix a number of vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player plug-in and to resolve potential problems with Image rendering. The update is available for Mac OS X 10.5.x and Mac OS X 10.6.x and can be downloaded via Software Update on your Mac.
Mac users can read a full description of the Security fixes on the Apple website http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4004
Mac users can read a full description of the Security fixes on the Apple website http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4004