macOS

Following release candidate versions of iOS and other operating systems this week, Apple has seeded out macOS 14.5 RC to testers. This version could be what ships when the final version reaches customers. Here are the release notes:

Following the release of new betas last week, Apple snuck out one of the most significant updates to XProtect I’ve ever seen. The macOS malware detection tool added 74 new Yara detection rules, all aimed at a single threat, Adload. So what is it exactly, and why does Apple see it as such an issue?

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During an analysis of various splinter samples of a noteworthy macOS stealer, security researchers at Moonlock discovered one with an alarming level of sophistication. Under the disguise of the unreleased video game GTA 6, once installed, the malware executes rather clever techniques to extract sensitive information, such as passwords from a user’s local Keychain.

In typical Security Bite fashion, here’s the breakdown: how it works and how to stay safe.

9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe is all we do. Our unique integrated approach to management and security combines state-of-the-art Apple-specific security solutions for fully automated Hardening & Compliance, Next Generation EDR, AI-powered Zero Trust, and exclusive Privilege Management with the most powerful and modern Apple MDM on the market. The result is a totally automated Apple Unified Platform currently trusted by over 45,000 organizations to make millions of Apple devices work-ready with no effort and at an affordable cost. Request your EXTENDED TRIAL today and understand why Mosyle is everything you need to work with Apple.

Following the release of iOS 17.4.1 last week, Apple is now rolling out a new update for the Mac. Today, Apple has released macOS 14.4.1 with bug fixes and security improvements for Mac users.

We learned with the public launch of iOS 17.4 that Apple included fixes for two exploited vulnerabilities and two other security issues. Now with the arrival of macOS 14.4, there are over 50 security patches and the list of security fixes for iOS 17.4 has been updated to over 40.

Malwarebytes has released its latest report digging into the state of malware to start 2024. The findings include which countries see the most ransomware attacks, the evolution of malware over the last year, how Mac threats are growing, which Mac threats to watch out for, and more.

Apple has updated the Mac to macOS Sonoma version 14.3. New features include Apple Music collaborative playlists like iOS 17.3 and more.

It’s about to get significantly easier to install Rogue Amoeba apps like Audio Hijack on your Mac. As spotted by Jason Snell at Six Colors, Rogue Amoeba CEO Paul Kafasis dropped this news in a blog post recapping 2023.

One macOS feature I really like is the ability to hide all the apps you’re not currently using with a single keystroke: CMD-Option-H.

I use this a lot when I’m writing and don’t need to reference materials in other windows. But there’s one significant issue with it …

Alongside iOS 17.2 arriving today, Apple has released macOS 14.2. As it happens, the new Mac release comes with double the amount of security fixes of iOS. Here are the 20 flaws fixed with the latest update.

Apple has officially released macOS Sonoma 14.2, introducing promised new enhancements to Autofill for PDFs. The update also adds new features to Messages, Clock, and more.

Apple has just seeded developer beta and public beta testers with the second macOS Sonoma 14.2 release candidate this week. The build increases from version 23C63 to version 23C64. Release notes follow:

Via its support webpage this week, Valve has announced that it will drop support for macOS High Sierra and macOS Mojave in early 2024. As explained by Ars Technica, this change essentially marks the end of the road for a number of 32-bit games for macOS.

A powerful new malware launched in early 2023 called Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS) targets Apple users and has become a growing threat. Now, with the latest iteration of the malware, malicious parties are planting AMOS inside fake Safari and Chrome browser updates for Mac. We’ll cover how it works and how to avoid this threat.

I am always on the lookout for tech accessories that are different, unique and serve multiple purposes. Recognizing this, JOURNEY has introduced two new products that redefine the concept of convenience and style in our tech-driven lives: the ALTI ULTRA Fast Wireless Charging Desk Mat and the TRIO ULTRA 3-in-1 Fast Wireless Charging Station. These Made for MagSafe products are not just about charging your devices; they’re about enhancing your experience.

Security researchers have identified an attempt by state-sponsored hackers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to infect blockchain engineers belonging to an undisclosed crypto exchange platform with a new form of macOS malware.

This year we’ve seen a powerful new malware launch called Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS) that specifically targets Apple users. Now in the latest development, AMOS has been found in malicious ads for Google searches. Here’s how to avoid this threat and help others do the same.

Designer and app icon connoisseur Michael Flarup is celebrating the Mac, desktop icons, and the designers who make them with a new project called The macOS App Icon Book.

Back in June, CrossOver announced a major update that added DirectX 12 support for running Windows games on the Mac with better performance. The new technology has been available since then to beta users via CrossOver 23, but now the update is finally being rolled out to all CrossOver users.

macOS has a number of built-in tools to detect Mac malware, with Background Task Manager added to the defenses last year. However, a security researcher says that this can be trivially bypassed, and that Apple failed to act on his recommendations to fix it.

Patrick Wardle presented his findings at the Defcon hacker conference, making the unusual decision to do so without advising Apple ahead of time …

We now live in a world that is all subscription-based. Whether it’s for a streaming service or a productivity suite, there seems to always be some sort of pricing attached to it. OnlyOffice, the team behind the popular open-source project, is trying to alleviate all of that. They have just launched a new solution – OnlyOffice DocSpace.