First Security Update for 2010

Posted on 20 January 2010 in Snow Leopard | Comments


Get it from your software update menu.

Safari updated to Version 3.2

Posted on 13 November 2008 in Safari | Comments

Apple just released this update for Safari through the Mac OS X Software Update. The latest version of Safari provides improved security as well as protection from phishing websites

Office 2004 and 2008 Updates for OS X

Posted on 13 August 2008 in Microsoft | Comments

Microsoft is “silent” on the content of these updates..
Office 2008 12.1.2. According to notes provided by the company, “this update contains several improvements to enhance stability and performance.”
Office 2004 11.5.1 does offer a bit more information for users: “several improvements to enhance stability and performance,” the update also includes fixes for vulnerabilities that an attacker can use to overwrite the contents of your computer’s memory with malicious code.

Both updates are available from Microsoft’s Mac Web site.

iTunes 7.7.1 and a Security Update are Available now

Posted on 31 July 2008 in Mac OS X, iTunes | Comments


Apple has released iTunes 7.7.1, a minor update to the media playback/purchase and iPhone/iPod sync tool, through Software Update. Apple’s release notes state only that the update ” includes fixes to improve stability and performance.”

Typical problems after iTunes updates include:

  • iTunes cannot locate music files, fixes When the issue manifests, any attempts to play some songs are met with error messages indicating that iTunes cannot find a specified file.
  • Freezes when connecting an iPod/iPhone If this problem manifests, try deleting the following files from ~~/Library/Preferences/ (your user library preferences folder):

com.apple.iTunes.eq.plist
com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist
com.apple.iTunes.plist

Camino Updated to 1.6.1

Posted on 21 May 2008 in 3rd Party Software | Comments

It’s a security update, good news for all Camino users (like myself as a 2nd browser).
Get the update here.

How to Configure Leopard’s Firewall?

Posted on 13 April 2008 in Leopard, Macintosh Tips & Help | Comments

 

Leopard’s Allow All Incoming Connections option is the functional equivalent of the old Stop button: it turns your firewall off. I wouldn’t recommend this setting to anyone.

The Allow Only Essential Services option will block anything except a few default networking services, such as Bonjour. It prevents file sharing, remote access, and other optional services. You should use this option only if you really want to block everything. I use this option when I’m on potentially hostile networks, such as those in hotels or public hotspots, and don’t want to bother with manually turning off all my shared services (see “Firewalls on the Road”).

The third option, Set Access For Specific Services And Applications, is the one I recommend for everyday use. It’s actually a new kind of firewall for OS X. It’s what’s known as an applicationfirewall. Previous versions of OS X used a technology known as stateful packet inspection—a fancy way of saying the firewall blocked ports that weren’t being held open for use by approved applications. An application firewall like the one in Leopard blocks traffic targeting specific applications, not specific ports.

 

Read More >

A Bunch Of Updates

Posted on 3 April 2008 in Apple Software, Security & Maintenance | Comments


iTunes 7.6.2, QuickTime 7.4.5, FrontRow 2.1.3, Keynote 4.0.3 and AirPort Utility 4.2.5 are available from the Software Update.
It seems Apple is fixing some security issues with QuickTime:

Apple is quietly adding several key anti-hacker security features into its flagship QuickTime media player as part of a deliberate plan to reduce the effectiveness of malicious exploits

eWeek writes.

All of these updates fix security, performance and stability issues.

I guess, we are getting used to have a FrontRow update with every iTunes & QT update.

RTSP Security Issue on QT

Posted on 13 January 2008 in Quicktime Player, Security & Maintenance | Comments

This security issue was detected first on Windows versions of the QuickTime Player, now it has been confirmed on OS X.

It is highly advised not to use the RTSP protocol unless you’re sure about the source.