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Apple short film The Underdogs cleverly showcases Mac security and much more

Apple short film The Underdogs cleverly showcases Mac security and much more | Screengrab shown

A new Apple short film called The Underdogs: Blue Screen of Death has been posted to the company’s YouTube channel as part of an occasional series that was first launched back in 2019.

Eight minutes long, it’s a gentle comedy that highlights the built-in security features of Macs while also showing off a whole range of the company’s ecosystem features …

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Security Bite: So, what happened to cross-platform E2EE for RCS messaging?

imessage e2ee RCS messaging security privacy where the beef!

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.


Earlier this year, Apple announced that it was leading the charge on a cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to the RCS Universal Profile, which is published by the GSMA. Apple told 9to5Mac in March it would come to the iPhone in a future software update. Google soon after jumped in, stating it too was ‘committed to providing a secure messaging experience.’

I didn’t think it was completely unreasonable to assume we’d see this showcased at WWDC 2025…that didn’t happen. Then I thought maybe in one of the iOS 26 betas? Also nothing. So, what happened to cross-platform E2EE for RCS messaging? Is it still coming?

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Tile security flaws can let both the company and stalkers track your location

Tile security flaws can let both company and stalkers track your location | Tile tags shown

Researchers have discovered major Tile security flaws that could let both the company itself and a tech-savvy stalker track your location. These arise from two crucial differences between the security used for AirTags and Tile tags.

The flaw could even be exploited to allow a malicious actor to falsely frame a Tile owner for stalking, by making it appear as if one of your Tile tags is constantly in the vicinity of somebody else’s tag …

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Security Bite: Mac users are finally taking malware seriously, per new report

moonlock macpaw mac security apple macos malware

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.


Earlier this month, Moonlock, the cybersecurity division of MacPaw, released its Mac Security Survey 2025. It surveyed nearly 2,000 macOS users about their habits, concerns, and overall perceptions of cybersecurity on Mac. Most notably, the findings reveal an interesting shift in how Mac users perceive malware and the overall strength of Apple’s defenses.

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Do you need third-party anti-virus software on a Mac?

Do you need third-party anti-virus software on a Mac? | Close-up of older MacBook with illuminated Apple logo

For many years, it was accepted wisdom that Mac malware wasn’t really an issue. One of the reasons for that was that the market share was simply too low to make it a worthwhile target for attackers.

Today, of course, is a very different world. Macs are the fourth most popular brand of personal computers, and as owners of a premium brand, Mac owners make a juicy target. Does that mean you need third-party antivirus software on a Mac, or are the built-in security protections good enough? A very thorough test sought to find out …

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Apple looks set to make two iOS 26 security changes to make iPhones safer

Apple looks set to make two iOS 26 security changes to make iPhones safer | Code on monitors viewed through eyeglasses

A combination of new code spotted by Macworld and 9to5Mac suggests that Apple may be set to make two iOS 26 security changes which will make iPhones safer.

Historically, Apple has issued security patches as part of a new iOS build. This has two significant disadvantages which can leave many iPhones unprotected against the latest threats for longer than necessary …

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Security Bite: Apple quietly shipped one of its most practical security features yet

iphone security privacy wired accessories -arin security bite

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.


If you upgraded to iOS 26, you know the design changes and visual overhaul of Liquid Glass are undeniably impressive. But from a security perspective, one feature in particular has piqued my interest and seemingly gone under the radar: a new permission setting for wired accessories. This overlooked feature could be one of the most practical defenses Apple has shipped in years.

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Mosyle uncovers new cross-platform malware undetected by antivirus tools

Mac malware safari browser extension bitcoin

After warning 9to5Mac last month about undetectable Mac malware hidden in a fake PDF converter site, Mosyle, a leader in Apple device management and security, has now uncovered a new infostealer. Dubbed ModStealer, the malware has remained invisible to all major antivirus engines since first appearing on VirusTotal nearly a month ago.

In details shared exclusively with 9to5Mac, Mosyle says ModStealer doesn’t just target macOS systems, but is cross-platform and purpose-built for one thing: stealing data.

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Another Plex data breach sees company urge users to change their password

Another Plex data breach sees company urge users to change their password | A screen grab of the password reset page

A Plex data breach in 2022 exposed usernames, email addresses, and encrypted passwords. The company required all users to change their passwords as a precaution, and now history seems to be repeating itself.

The company is again emailing users, using virtually identical wording to describe to report a new data breach with the same data obtained …

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Security Bite: How browsers use a psychological trick to protect millions from phishing every day

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.


If you’re reading this week’s Security Bite on your desktop, look closely at your browser’s address bar. Notice how the main (root) domain is bolder, while the rest of the URL is a lighter grey? This is not an accident, it’s a purposly implemented psychological trick called salience bias. This little design choice has protected users from phishing attacks for over a decade.

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Hackers chained Apple and WhatsApp flaws in ‘advanced spyware campaign’

A few days ago, Apple fixed a vulnerability on iOS and macOS that “may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.” Now, new details have emerged, and it appears that the hacking campaign also leveraged a now-fixed WhatsApp flaw to target its victims. Here are the details.

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Security Bite: Why it’s mathematically impossible to stop malware

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.


Malware has been a persistent threat since the first virus appeared in 1982 as a prank on Apple II computers. And malware is here to stay, but not because cybercriminals and nation-states are clever (they are), but because it’s mathematically impossible to stop it.

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Mosyle identifies new Mac malware that evades detection through fake PDF conversion tool

google chrome malware virus security dino

Mosyle, a leader in Apple device management and security, has exclusively revealed to 9to5Mac details on a new Mac malware strain, dubbed “JSCoreRunner”. The zero-day threat evaded all detections on VirusTotal at the time of discovery, spreading through a malicious PDF conversion site called fileripple[.]com to trick users into downloading what appears to be a harmless utility.

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Most of your iCloud data isn’t fully protected – here’s how to change that

Most of your iCloud data isn’t fully protected – here’s how to change that | Low-key photo of security guard

9to5Mac is brought to you by Incogni: Protect your personal info from prying eyes. With Incogni, you can scrub your deeply sensitive information from data brokers across the web, including people search sites. Incogni limits your phone number, address, email, SSN, and more from circulating. Fight back against unwanted data brokers with a 30-day money back guarantee.

Apple uses two different forms of encryption for your iCloud data – a strong form for particularly sensitive data like the Health and Journal apps, but a weaker one for a lot of other data you still wouldn’t want falling into the wrong hands.

Fortunately the company gives you the option of switching to strong encryption for all your iCloud data, and while there are a few steps involved, it’s a worthwhile security and privacy safeguard …

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App Store safety again called into question by Tea app

App Store safety again called into question by Tea app | Image shows a mass of red flags

Apple has frequently argued that it is reasonable for it to have monopolistic control over the sale of iPhone apps because it vets them for safety and security. This has been called into question over scam apps accepted into the App Store, and the same questions are being asked regarding the Tea app.

The so-called dating advice app has been revealed to have major security vulnerabilities, which have exposed private chats and personal data of tens of thousands of women …

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Apple security bounties pay up to $2M, but it only paid $1k for a critical bug

Apple security bounties pay up to $2M, but it only paid $1k for a critical bug | Jar of coins shown

Apple encourages security researchers to seek out and report vulnerabilities in its devices and apps, in return for which it pays bug bounties of up to $2M.

However, one security researcher who reported a Safari vulnerability Apple graded as Critical, and gave a severity score of 9.8 out of 10, says they were paid only $1,000 …

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Tea app security breaches reveal private chats and photo ID, as it tops App Store

Tea app security breaches reveal private chats and photo ID as it tops App Store | Code on monitor as person looks on

Two major security vulnerabilities in the Tea app – which claims to make dating safer for women – have exposed the private chats and personal data of at least tens of thousands of users.

The app, designed to allow women to share “red flags” for men they had dated, claimed four million active users after it hit the top slot in the App Store last week …

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Here are the eight Apple security layers protecting your data

Here are the eight Apple security layers protecting your data | Partly-open MacBook with colorful reflections

9to5Mac is brought to you by Incogni: Protect your personal info from prying eyes. With Incogni, you can scrub your deeply sensitive information from data brokers across the web, including people search sites. Incogni limits your phone number, address, email, SSN, and more from circulating. Fight back against unwanted data brokers with a 30-day money back guarantee.

Apple has a reputation for prioritizing the privacy of its customers, and that commitment begins right at the chip design level.

Here’s a look at the eight layers of Apple security protecting the personal data stored on both your Apple devices and in iCloud …

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