Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Mac. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Mac. Sort by date Show all posts

Now Mac OS X 10.7 Lion can be Installed in a Virtualized Environment

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 7/03/2011 03:04:00 pm


Mac OS X 10.7 Lion will bring quite a few new features from a user interface stand point. However, it looks like Lion will also bring a long awaited capability for the more advanced users. Apple will allow users to install Mac OS Lion client in a virtual environment. In 2007 Apple allowed Mac OS X Server to be installed in a virtualized environment, like VMWare Fusion and Parallels, but now Mac OS X Lion client will be possible to install in a virtual machine.
According to the end-user licensing agreement for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, users can install up to two additional copies or instances within virtual operating system environments on each Mac Computer they own.
Why is this important? As we mentioned, this might not affect the everyday user but if you are a developer, you will be able to test your application in a virtualized environment without affecting your base installation. Or, if you like to test new software, you will be able to do so in a virtualized environment and then decide if you want to move that new software in your base, everyday desktop. And, if you buy/try an app from the Mac App Store, following the Mac App Store rules, you are entitled to install that app on all your Mac OS X installations, including the virtualized ones.
What makes this possible? We believe Apple is realizing that Mac OS X it self is not a huge stream of money. This explains the price of Mac OS X Lion at just $29.99 (Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard was priced at $129 in 2007). Where is Apple making its money? This is from the Mac App Store. The more Mac OS X environments out there, more potential customers for developers, more money for Apple (Apple is getting 30% of the app revenue).
The licensing agreement specifically mentions that users are entitled to install Mac OS X 10.7 Lion on virtual environments running on a Mac. So, if you are a Windows user, or have Windows computers at home, you are not allowed to run a virtual machine with Lion on these machines. However it will be interesting to see if users can easily port such a virtual machine on a Windows environment running VMWare Workstation or Parallels for Windows.

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Apple Will Release new MacBook Airs & Mac OS X 10.7 Lion on Wednesday

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 7/19/2011 01:42:00 pm

Apple as early as Wednesday will launch two highly anticipated products: Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and new Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Airs, AppleInsider has learned.
According to people with proven track records who would be in a position to know, the new product launches are set to occur later this week. Specifically, one person said the products would be released on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
The latest details align with what AppleInsider was told earlier this month, when it reported that new MacBook Air models with backlit keyboards and Thunderbolt ports would launch the week of July 21.
Those details were reaffirmed late last week in a separate report that corroborated other details, including the fact that Apple is expected to do away with the entry-level 64GB solid-state flash hard drive option. Instead, the new MacBook Airs are expected to have a minimum of 128GB in capacity.
he new notebooks, according to Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, are also expected to come with 4GB of RAM as the standard. That extra memory will allow the systems to better run Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, Apple's next-generation operating system, also said to become available this week.
Apple has been holding off on the introduction of new Mac hardware until it finally releases Lion. Apple has not offered a specific launch date for the operating system, only promising that it will become available on the Mac App Store for $29.99 at some point in July.
A few weeks ago, Apple began undertaking preparatory measures to unveil Lion. While it was initially believed that the operating system could have gone on sale as soon as last week, there have been rumors of last-minute holdups associated with the logistics and infrastructure related to Apple's switch to a digital distribution method through the Mac App Store.
The Golden Master of Lion was seeded to developers on July 1. The term "Golden Master" means that the software is viewed as a final build that will be identical to the software released to the general public.
While Lion and the new MacBook Air models are said to be set to launch this week, there has been no specific indication given regarding any other hardware. However, Apple provided its own evidence of a forthcoming refresh to its LED Cinema Display last week, when it posted images on its site showing a Thunderbolt-equipped display with the new part number "MC914."
Supply of Apple's white MacBook has also been severely constrained since late June, suggesting a change to the product could be forthcoming. However, AppleInsider has received no indication of an imminent hardware refresh.
That would leave just the Mac mini and Mac Pro as the only Mac hardware not updated in 2011. In June, CNet reported that Apple planned to update both the Mac Pro and Mac mini either at the end of July or the first week of August. The Mac mini was last refreshed in June 2010, while the Mac Pro was last updated a month later, in July.

-News Source (AppleInsider)

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Mac OS X Lion Login Password Vulnerability

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 7/29/2011 05:00:00 pm



A password recovery company has advised users of the Mac OS X Lion to disable the ‘automatic login’ feature of the operating system from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) due to a vulnerability that was discovered recently.
The vulnerability of the recently released Mac OS X Lion reportedly exposed the login passwords whenever the Mac is in sleep mode or is locked according to Passware, which provides password recovery software applications to law enforcement organizations. The same issue also affects the earlier version of the OS from Apple, the Snow Leopard.
The company indicated that it was necessary for users of the Mac OS X Lion to connect with the FireWire port of the Mac for them to retrieve the password through direct memory access. Sales of the latest OS from Apple started a week ago at the App Store with a price tag of $30. Apple has pointed out that the Mac OS X Lion provides numerous new features.

Fortunately this issue can be easily resolved by users when they disable the automatic login feature on the Mac OS X Lion. The users can also opt to shut down the computers since the passwords will not be saved in the memory once the computers are turned off. The FireWire port can also be disabled by the users to guard against this vulnerability on the Mac OS X Lion.
The company also indicated that its newest offering, the Passware Kit Forensic will be able to deal with the vulnerability on the Mac OS X Lion since the software will reportedly recover the login password.
When the automatic login feature is disabled, the computer will be secured even if the passwords are recoverable while the Mac is in sleep mode. With the automatic login feature in the Mac OS X Lion, anyone who works on the computer can access the device.
Users will have to type in their password into the computer using their profile in order to disable the automatic login feature of the Mac OS X Lion. Passware has indicated that it has already used the same system of accessing apparently secured data as ut was able to decrypt some hard drives that were encrypted using TrueCrypt and BitLocker.

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Flashback.G Trojan Targeting Mac Users While Stealing Passwords

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 2/26/2012 10:44:00 pm

 Flashback.G Trojan Targeting Mac Users While Stealing Passwords
Remember earlier MAC Security Blog reported that the latest version, Flashback.D, has gotten a bit sneakier. First, it checks to see if the user is running Mac OS X in VMware Fusion. If so, it does not execute. It does this because many malware researchers test malware in virtual machines, rather than infect full installations, as it is easier to delete them and start over with clean copies. This means that security researchers analyzing and looking for this malware need to be running regular Macs.
 Yet again Mac users became the victim of another trojan. This new Trojan virus is capable of infecting their computers and stealing passwords to services such as Google, PayPal, online banking & so on. This virus is using a new installation method When a user visits a crafted web page, the new variant either tries to exploit two old security vulnerabilities or deploys a Java Applet which tries to trick the user into believing it has been certified by Apple. According to Mac Security Blog (Intego):- This new variant of the Flashback Trojan horse uses three methods to infect Macs. The malware first tries to install itself using one of two Java vulnerabilities. If this is successful, users will be infected with no intervention. If these vulnerabilities are not available – if the Macs have Java up to date – then it attempts a third method of installation, trying to fool users through a social engineering trick. The applet displays a self-signed certificate, claiming to be issued by Apple. Most users won’t understand what this means, and click on Continue to allow the installation to continue.
It is worth noting that Flashback.G will not install if VirusBarrier X6 is present, or if a number of other security programs are installed on the Mac in question. It does this to avoid detection. It seems that the malware writers feel it is best to avoid Macs where the malware might be detected, and focus on the many that aren’t protected.
Earlier also Mac users faced such attacks where OSX/Revir-B trojan was installed behind a PDF, and giving hackers remote access to MAC computers, not only Revier-B also Linux Tsunami trojan Called "Kaiten" targeted Mac OS users in 2011. Also another malware named "Devil Robber" which was also make MAC users victim while stealing their personal informations.



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New MacGuard Phishing Attack Bypasses Mac OS X Password Requirement

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 5/27/2011 09:07:00 pm


A new MacDefender variant targeting Apple (NSDQ:AAPL)'s Mac OS X platform now can circumvent the password requirement to install fake antivirus software onto victims' computers.
The latest version of the fake antivirus MacDefender, known as MacGuard, was first detected by researchers at Mac security firm Intego. Unlike other versions of Mac Defender, MacGuard bypasses password requirements, and automatically installs without any user intervention.
Intego researchers first detected a fake antivirus attack with Mac Defender targeting the Mac OS X platform May 2. Like other fake antivirus schemes, known as scareware, the virus appeared on users' Macs via a pop-up or an infected link, offering a phony virus scan. The fake scan would inevitably claim to find a virus, and then would trick the user into submitting credit card numbers in exchange for bogus antivirus software.
Since it was first discovered earlier this month, alternately named versions of the MacDefender virus have emerged, such as MacProtector, and MacSecurity. Up until now, the different version have been the same application but with different names.
However, the new MacGuard, which is spread via SEO poisoning attacks, functions slightly differently. Initially, the installation package, known as avSetup.pkg, is downloaded automatically when a user visits a malicious or infected site, typically via an SEO poisoning attack.
If Safari's "Open safe files after downloading" feature is checked, the payload will open Apple's Installer and the user will see a standard installation screen, Intego researchers said. If not, users could see a downloaded ZIP archive and feel inclined to double click, which would also launch the Mac OS Installer.
The package then installs a downloader, dubbed avRunner, which then launches automatically while the installation package deletes itself from the user's Mac, essentially erasing its tracks.
"Unlike the previous variants of this fake antivirus, no administrator's password is required to install this program," Intego researchers said in an advisory. "Since any user with an administrator's account -- the default if there is just one user on a Mac -- can install software in the Applications folder, a password is not needed."
The downloader then installs the new MacDefener version, MacGuard, downloaded by the avRunner application from an IP address hidden in an image file.
Intego researchers say that users should be wary of Web pages that appear to be a Finder window.
"Leave the page, and quit your Web browser. If anything has downloaded, and the Installer application has opened, quit it right away; look in your Downloads folder for the file, then delete it," Intego said.
Apple issued an advisory earlier this week warning users of the MacDefender virus , saying that "In the coming days, Apple will deliver a Mac OS X software update that will automatically find and remove Mac Defender malware and its known variants."
Security experts question how Apple will keep up with what appears to be a constant stream of MacDefender variants -- a tactic which emulates the myriad of fake antivirus attacks on the Windows platform.  

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Photoshop Elements 9 Elements for MAC is Now Available

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 7/23/2011 02:31:00 pm


Adobe's Photoshop Elements 9 Editor is now available through Apple's Mac App Store for $79.99. Not only does that mean you'll pay less than retail price for the photo-editing app, but it also gives us hope that greater things could be coming to the Mac App Store soon.
As 9to5 Mac points out, Elements 9 is the first Adobe app to become available in the Mac App Store and this is significant because it suggests that the digital media software maker might consider expanding its offerings there.
Of course, this particular app could merely be an experiment on Adobe's part, too. After all, the company makes a significant profit from the sales of traditionally boxed software — and doesn't have to give Apple a cut when it takes that route. (Apple gets about 30% from software sales made through the Mac App Store.)
Either way, we're pretty excited to see a major software maker such as Adobe dip its toes into the Mac App Store at least a little bit.
If you purchase Photoshop Element 9 via the Mac App Store, you will get all the features — such as the content aware-fill, Group Shot, Panorama, and Style Match Photomerge tools — found in the plain ol' boxed version you can get from a retail store. But  as Macworld noticed, you will not get the extra application normally bundled with the software:

The Mac App Store version of the application costs $80 and includes all the same editing tools as the full boxed version. However, unlike the full $100 version, it does not come bundled with the Adobe Elements Organizer application. This version is available only in English, and cannot be purchased anywhere outside of Apple's Mac App Store.

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Apple Fixes OSX Revir-B Trojan Vulnerability

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 9/29/2011 07:07:00 pm


Apple has updated the bare-bones antivirus protection included with Mac OS X to detect a Trojan horse that poses as a PDF document. That Trojan, named "Revir.A" by Finnish security company F-Secure but "Revir.B" by others, masquerades as a PDF file . Unwary users who download and open the fake PDF actually start a malware chain reaction that infects a Mac with multiple pieces of attack code, including a "backdoor" designed to listen to a hacker-controlled server for further instructions. 
Apple added a signature for Revir on Friday to the detection engine called XProtect included with Mac OS X 10.6, aka Snow Leopard, and Mac OS X 10.7, better known as Lion. Since May, when Apple fought a weeks-long battle with makers of phony Mac security software -- usually called "scareware" or "rogueware" -- XProtect checks daily for new signature updates.
The new signature will detect Revir if a user downloads the fake PDF document using Safari, iChat or Mail -- Mac OS X's native email client -- and then displays a warning urging the user to toss the file into the Trash. On Monday, however, Mac-centric security company Intego said it had spotted a new piece of Mac malware disguised as an Adobe Flash installer.
Tagged "Flashback" by Intego, the Trojan installs itself when the fake Flash file is run, then deactivates the Mac outbound firewall Little Snitch , likely as an attempt to hide communication between the malware and its remote command-and-control server.
Flashback uses the same phony Flash distribution tactic as a Trojan horse named "QHost.WB" found by F-Secure in early August. Apple updated XProtect to detect QHost on Aug. Intego speculated that hackers may think the Flash installer trick will be effective because Lion, unlike earlier Mac OS X editions, does not come with the Adobe software pre-installed.
The French antivirus firm recommended that users download Flash Player only from Adobe's website, and if they're using Safari, to uncheck the box marked "Open 'safe' files after downloading" under the General tab to prevent fake installers like Flashback from running automatically. 


-News Source (Network World)


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Is upgrading to Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard still sensible??

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 4/29/2011 09:53:00 pm


While it might seem to some like buying a ticket to the ball game after the seventh-inning stretch, in a helpful article this week, MacFixIt's Topher Kessler advises a qualified "affirmative" to a number of readers still running older Intel Macs that came with OS X 10.5 Leopard or even 10.4 Tiger and are wondering whether they should upgrade to version 10.6 Snow Leopard. Kessler thinks that even with Apple's release of Mac OS X v10.7 Lion not far off, the OS 10.6 Snow Leopard upgrade—available on DVD for upgrading from Leopard or Tiger installations at a modest $29—is still a good idea. I agree unreservedly.

Kessler presents several good reasons why one should still upgrade to v10.6, not least of which that Snow Leopard may be the earliest OS version supporting a direct upgrade to the new OS. He also notes that for MobileMe users, it's a no-brainer. A couple of points in favor he didn't mention are that upgrading to OS v10.6.6 and later will also give you immediate access to the Apple Mac App Store, if that appeals. Also, compatibility with a number of newer software applications for which Snow Leopard is a minimum system requirement already, and there will be even more in the future.

Another point is that Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard upgrade DVDs will likely not continue to be available from Apple for long, if at all, after the v10.7 Lion release, at least if past history is any reliable guide. Therefore, it might be a good idea to snag an uprade disk for possible future reference even if you don't install it right away.

The minimum Mac hardware for installing Lion has not been announced by Apple yet, but it's pretty safe to surmise that some early Intel Macs—possibly models with single-core processor silicon—will be bumped off the bottom rungs of the ladder of Mac OS X v10.7 support. So, for some, Snow Leopard will be the end of the Mac OS upgrade road and a requirement for future-proofing for at least a few more years.

Consequently, for $29, the Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard upgrade is a pretty sweet deal if you have a Mac that will support it; especially an older model. The only downsides I've noticed compared with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard is that Snow Leopard makes my 2.0GHz unibody MacBook run somewhat hotter, resulting in more cooling fan cycling.

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Apple Releases 3rd Developer Build of Mac OS X 10.6.8

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 5/30/2011 09:59:00 pm


Apple released the third build of Mac OS X 10.6.8 to developers, who can now download the 1GB file named 10K531. The areas that would be tested in this build are Airport, Mac App Store, Graphics Driver, QuickTime, Networking and VPN. Apple released developer builds of the Mac OS X every week, which started two weeks ago with the first build. The second build was deployed last week. This way the company can come up with a stable version faster than before.
There is no word yet whether the Mac OS X 10.6.8 will feature the fix that would seek and destroy the Mac Defender malware. Apple would most likely release the security patch as a standalone. The company did promise to release an update to the Mac OS X that will solve the issue with the fake antivirus software that would automatically download a phishing scam that would ask for users’ credit card. The Mac Defender first appeared early this month and most security experts downplayed it as just a simple phishing scam rather than a viral attack.
Apple is set to launch the Mac OS X 10.7 Lion this summer. It would contain various features and improvements that are drawn from Apple’s iOS mobile platform. 

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Security flaw in Skype for Mac fixed

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 5/07/2011 11:40:00 pm


A security flaw in Skype for Mac that could enable a user to gain remote control of a Mac computer running the software has been fixed, says Skype, but users should make sure they have the latest version to ensure total protection.
Attention all Mac owners who use Skype. A flaw has been identified in Skype 5 that enables an attacker to gain remote control of a Mac computer running the software.
Gordon Maddern, a member of a group of ethical hackers based in Australia that goes by the name of Pure Hacking, wrote in a blog post on Friday that he had identified the security flaw last month. “The long and the short of it is that an attacker needs only to send a victim a message and they can gain remote control of the victim’s Mac,” Maddern said.
Describing the flaw as “extremely wormable and dangerous,” Maddern contacted Skype to inform them of the issue and heard nothing back – until today. A short time after his post appeared on Pure Hacking’s blog, Skype posted a response on its own website in order to reassure users.
Adrian Asher, Skype‘s chief information security officer, confirmed that the company was indeed contacted by Maddern last month. Asher explained in the post that the issue was “related to a situation when a malicious contact would send a specifically crafted message that could cause Skype for Mac to crash. Note, this message would have to come from someone already in your Skype Contact List, as Skype’s default privacy settings will not let you receive messages from people that you have not already authorized.”
In the post, Asher claims that they were already working on a fix when they heard from Pure Hacking, and as a result the Luxembourg-based company issued a hotfix (Skype for Mac version 5.1.0.922) on April 14. This update, however, was not pushed to Skype users “as there were no reports of this vulnerability being exploited in the wild.”
Asher goes on to announce that a new update, which will include the hotfix along with a number of other bug fixes, will be sent out next week. This update, however, will prompt users to install it. Asher’s post ends by recommending that users make sure they are running the latest version of Skype (with the April 14 fix). Mac users can check now by clicking here. Skype users with Windows and Linux are not susceptible to the vulnerability.
Founded in 2003, the company’s hugely popular VoIP application can have around 23 million users logged in and chatting at any one time. Recent reports have suggested that the company is in talks with both Google and Facebook regarding a possible joint venture or acquisition.

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Another Mac Trojan "Backdoor.OSX.SabPub" Discovered, Exploiting Java Vulnerability

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 4/20/2012 11:17:00 pm

Another Mac Trojan "Backdoor.OSX.SabPub" Discovered, Exploiting Java Vulnerability 
Few weeks ago security experts found Flashback Trojan infected more than 60,000 Mac users around the world. Immediately after this incident Apple issued patches that curb the vulnerability. Yet again it has been found that another Mac trojan that is also spread through Java exploits. The malware, called Backdoor.OSX.SabPub, can take screen-shots of a user’s current session, execute commands on an infected machine and connect to a remote website to transmit the data. It is not clear how users get infected with the trojan, but because of the low number of instances and the trojan’s backdoor functionality, Securelist speculates that it is most likely used in targeted attacks, possibly launched through emails containing a URL pointing to two one of websites hosting the exploit. Two versions of SabPub were discovered in the wild this past weekend, flying undedected for about two months now. Kaspersky's Costin Raiu wrote in a blog post that SabPub was probably written by the LuckyCat authors.
Version 1: Microsoft Office
One version of SabPub traps Mac (and potentially Windows) users with booby-trapped Microsoft Word documents which exploit the vulnerability 'MSWord.CVE-2009-00563.a.'
The spear-phishing emails containment a malicious Word attachment entitled '10thMarch Statemnet' (with typo) to Tibet sympathizers. March 10, 2011 refers to the day the Dalai Lama delivered his annual speech observing the Tibetan Uprising of 1959. The Word doc was created in August 2010 and updated in February with SabPub thrown in; "quite normal" for such attacks and seen in other APT's like Duqu, Raiu notes.
Version 2: Java
A March version of Sabpub also discovered last weekend exploits the same drive-by Java vulnerability seen in Flashback, one of the biggest botnet attacks seen in OS X. Once the backdoor Trojan is downloaded, a victim's system is connected to a command-and-control center via HTTP. From there the botnet can grab screenshots, upload/download files, and remotely execute commands, Sophos' Graham Cluley writes. SabPub drops the following two files on a user's system, so if you are concerned about infection Cluley recommends searching for these files:
/Users//Library/Preferences/com.apple.PubSabAgent.pfile
/Users//Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.PubSabAGent.plist

Earlier also Mac users faced such attacks where OSX/Revir-B trojan was installed behind a PDF, and giving hackers remote access to MAC computers, not only Revier-B also Linux Tsunami trojan Called "Kaiten" targeted Mac OS users in 2011. Also another malware named "Devil Robber" which was also make MAC users victim while stealing their personal informations. 


-Source (Securelist & PC Mag)




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VMware vSphere 5 to add cloud virtualization support for Mac OS X Server

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 5/01/2011 11:34:00 am


The upcoming release of VMware's vSphere 5 virtualization platform is reported to include guest OS support for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, indicating new options for enterprise use of Apple's server platform without the now discontinued Xserve.

VMware's plans for the next release of vSphere, as discussed in February at the company's Partner Exchnge conference, have been detailed in a posting by Virtualization.info, including mention of support for Mac OS X Server.

The vSphere product allows companies to build a private of public cloud of pooled infrastructure, offering enterprise planners more flexible capacity management than if they were required to allocate dedicated hardware to every server instance.

The product also helps data center managers to automate disaster recovery plans and monitor and manage performance while accurately reporting the costs needed to provide IT services.

By pooling server hardware, VMware says businesses can reduce their requirements of power, cooling and server storage, cutting energy cost by as much as 80 percent.

Formerly named VMware Infrastructure 4, the cloud-enabled vSphere platform is built upon the company's core virtualization hypervisor called ESXi, which runs as a low level microkernel OS on actual server hardware, and facilitates flexible, virtual deployment of guest OS virtual machines on top, moving around virtual images to use available hardware as necessary.

The product currently supports Microsoft Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Oracle Solaris 10, as well as enterprise versions of Linux from RedHat, SUSE and Ubuntu. By adding support for Mac OS X Server, VMware will give its enterprise customers an option for virtualizing the deployment of Apple's server features without having to dedicate rack space to Mac hardware.

While Apple has backed out of the dedicated server hardware market, first by discontinuing the Xserve RAID and then by terminating its Xserve rack mounted server, it continues to develop its Mac OS X Server product, with the next major version adding the formerly premium server features to the standard edition.

Mac OS X Server includes WebDAV-based calendar and contact management, easy to use wiki services for building group collaboration tools, and under Mac OS X Lion Server 10.7, will incorporate expanded support for iOS mobile devices, including WebDAV file sharing for iPhone and iPads, expanded Push Notifications for messaging services, and a new Profile Manager that provides setup and management features for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac OS Lion computers. 

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'Dockster' A New Mac Malware Targeting Apple Users Found on Dalai Lama Related Website

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 12/05/2012 07:33:00 pm

'Dockster' A New Mac Malware Targeting Apple Users Found on Dalai Lama Related Website

Researcher at F-Secure blog has identified that A new piece of malicious software targeted at Apple users has been found on a website dedicated to the Dalai Lama. According to blog post by F-Secure -the website related to Dalai Lama is fully compromised and is pushing new Mac malware, called Dockster, using a Java-based exploit. Dockster tries to infect computers by exploiting a vulnerability in Java, CVE-2012-0507. The vulnerability is the same one used by the Flashback malware, which first appeared around September 2011 and infected as many as 600,000 computers via a drive-by download. Flashback was used to fraudulently click on advertisements in order to generate illicit revenue in a type of scam known as click fraud. Apple patched the vulnerability in Java in early April and then undertook a series of steps to remove the frequently targeted application from Macs. Apple stopped bundling Java in the 10.7 version of its Lion operation system, which continued with the company's Mountain Lion release. In October, Apple removed older Java browser plug-ins in a software update.
But still the matter of relief is that current versions of OS X are not vulnerable; users who have disabled the Java browser plug-in are also not vulnerable. F-Secure researcher Sean Sullivan said Dockster is “a basic backdoor with file download and keylogger capabilities.” Meanwhile F-Secure’s Sullivan, also said that the Dalai Lama’s site is also serving a Windows-based exploit for CVE-2012-4681, the Agent.AXMO Trojan. The Trojan exploits a Java vulnerability that allows remote code execution using a malicious applet that is capable of bypassing the Java SecurityManager. 

Please Note That: The gyalwarinpoche.com site doesn't seem to be as "official" as dalailama.com

While talking about Mac malware, then you must remember that earlier also Mac users faced such attacks when mac Trojan OSX.SabPub was spreading through Java exploits In 2011 we have also seen OSX/Revir-B trojan was installed behind a PDF, and giving hackers remote access to MAC computers, not only Revier-B also Linux Tsunami trojan Called "Kaiten"targeted Mac OS users in 2011. Also another malware named "Devil Robber" which was also make MAC users victim while stealing their personal information. In the very decent past we have seen a trojan named 'BackDoor.Wirenet.1'  apparently providing its masters with a backdoor into infected systems. It is also capable of stealing passwords stored in browsers like Chrome, Chromium,Firefox and Opera. For any kind of cyber updates and infose news, stay tuned with VOGH.





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Fingerprint Security Solution For Apple Mac OS X Lion & Snow Leopard By AuthenTec

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 1/31/2012 11:46:00 pm

Fingerprint Security Solution (Fingerprint Sensor & TrueSuite Identity Management) For Apple Mac OS X Lion & Snow Leopard By AuthenTec
We have earlier discussed the new security implementation of Microsoft and the new technology is called picture password. Now Apple also introducing digital security system in Mac OS. AuthenTec, a leading provider of mobile and network security launches Fingerprint Security Solution including an Eikon fingerprint sensor and TrueSuite identity management software - for Apple Mac laptops and desktop computers running on Lion and Snow Leopard operating systems.
The new Eikon-TrueSuite offering from AuthenTec includes the following features:-
  • Web site logon (new) – logon to websites with a swipe of the finger; no need to type passwords
  • QuickLaunch (new) –launch and logon to favorite websites; associate
  • websites with different fingers
  • Easy fingerprint enrollment/setup
  • Mac logon
  • Fast user switching
  • Automatic updates (new) – ensure your software always incorporates the newest features

The new Eikon fingerprint reader for Mac and matching TrueSuite user software will be available in March for $59.95 from Apple.com, and AuthenTec’s Web store


According To Release Note:-
 
“Based on the strong demand from the Mac community, we are pleased to offer a
fingerprint security solution with features and functions that enhance the user experience and support the newest Apple OS,” said Tom Aebli, AuthenTec Vice President of Software and eCommerce. “AuthenTec is pleased to offer Mac users the same fingerprint security and convenience features already enjoyed by millions of Windows PC users.”


AuthenTec’s software and eCommerce business supports the millions of fingerprint sensors already integrated into laptops, tablets and mobile phones. The software and eCommerce portfolio includes AuthenTec’s TrueSuite identity management software, Eikon fingerprint readers for PC and Mac, KeepVault online backup services, and mobile and PC applications that enhance security and the user experience.


-Source (AuthenTec)

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Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Developer Preview Released By Apple

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 2/18/2012 11:52:00 pm

Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Developer Preview Released By Apple
 


Apple released a developer preview of the next major release of its operating system named Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. If you are a registered Mac developer then you can test the new flavor of Apple. Not to mention in this release Apple has added lost of charming features among them Gatekeeper is really handy one at leat from security point of view. Apple says gatekeeper will "help prevent you from unknowingly downloading and installing malicious software". Some of other features included by apple are iCloud, AirPlay Mirroring, Messages, Reminders, Notification Center, Share Sheets, Twitter Integration, Game Center and so on.
Brief About Gatekeeper:-
The Gatekeeper feature has three levels of security for running applications downloaded from the Internet; "Mac App Store", "Mac App Store and identified developers" and "Anywhere". The first setting only runs applications downloaded from the Mac App Store, in a style similar to the iPhone only running apps from the App Store. Unlike the iPhone though, Gatekeeper lets users allow applications from other sources. The "Mac App Store and Identified Developers" option only allows applications from the store and from developers who have signed their program with an Apple-issued Developer ID, while "Anywhere" allows any program to be downloaded and run. It is unclear how Gatekeeper interacts with software loaded from other media, such as a USB memory stick or CD/DVD.

For More Information & To Download Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Developer Preview Click Here


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Gaming on Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 5/18/2011 11:01:00 pm



One of the major sore points for users switching from Microsoft to Apple operating systems is the prior investments made on Windows programs. Not only do the users need to repurchase Mac versions of their favorite software, they sometimes have to give up some programs that lack Mac-compatible equivalents. This is a major issue for gamers, as a significant proportion of gaming titles are still written exclusively for Microsoft's platform.

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VMware Fusion 4.1 Allowing Virtualization of Mac OS X

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 11/21/2011 06:31:00 pm


VMware Fusion 4.1.0 released for Mac OS X. Last last week VMware released an update to its popular virtualization software that adds many improvements and bug fixes. The biggest improvement is the applications ability to run older versions of Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard. Apple changed the Mac OS X licensing terms with the release of Mac OS X Lion. The new software license allows users to install and use virtual machines running the client or server version of Lion on their Mac.  It doesn’t mention anything about older versions of Mac OS X so it is assumed that you still aren’t allowed to run either of them in a virtual machine.
Apparently VMWare is leaving the decision whether or not they virtualize either of the older versions of Mac OS X to the user. If a user tries to install Leopard or Snow Leopard in Fusion 4.1 they will be prompted with a dialog that asks: “Verify that the operating system is license to run in a virtual machine. ” If you select Continue then Fusion will go ahead with the installation of the operating system leaving the decision to go ahead entirely in the user’s hands.

For More Information & To Download VMware Fusion 4.1 Click Here


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Mac OS X Lion Said Good-Bye to Analog Communications (Modem)

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 8/17/2011 03:57:00 am


Mac OS X Lion has killed off a number of things including, but not limited to Rosetta, visible scrolls bars, Quicken (see Rosetta), and unnatural scrolling. Now another casualty is the venerable analog modem.
According to users on MacRumors Forums it is true that Apple has killed off support for the analog Apple USB Modem in Mac OS X Lion since the device is no longer working after they upgraded from Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
When you will try to plug your Apple USB Modem into an available USB port on your iMac and MacBook Air (both running Mac OS X Lion) we will receive the following error message.
"You can not use Apple usb Modem withn this computer"
The problem is being blamed on two issues: the required modem drivers are missing and the drivers only work when your Mac kernel is running in 32-bit mode. Since Lion generally runs in 64-bit kernel mode by default the drivers will not work unless you boot your machine into 32-bit mode. A lively discussion about 32 vs. 64-bit mode can be found here.
The forum discussion included a work around that required modification of your system files and instructions on starting your Mac in 32-bit kernel mode. Unfortunately at press time I wasn’t able to get the suggested work around to work on either of my Macs.
One person, HellDiverUK, on the forum made a comment that I can agree with when they asked, “Modem?” followed by “Last millennium is calling, it wants its outdated technology back. ”  We think Apple agrees and that they are telling you that it looks like it is time to say good-bye to the analog modem and look to alternatives like encrypted email, zip files, PDFs, or secure FTP.

For more information and help to resolve this click Here

-News Source (Culture Of Mac)

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Skype 5.3 Client Released for Apple Mac OS X Lion

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 8/11/2011 07:00:00 pm



(VoIP) outfit Skype has updated its client software for Apple Mac users to version 5.3, which brings support for Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. The latest version of the internet chat software provides a number of fixes and improvements to the interface according to Skype. It also includes support for high definition (HD) video calls, provided you have an HD webcam.
"On the heels of our recent update to Skype 5.2 for Mac OS X, we are pleased to announce that we are making even more improvements to our Mac client with the release of Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X."

It's been just over a month since Skype launched version 5.2. If you haven't got Mac OS X Lion, the latest version of Apple's operating system, then Skype 5.3 is compatible with older versions going back to Leopard.
Other features of the software include group video calling and group screen sharing, for an extra cost. Skype recently made a deal with Microsoft and Facebook has integrated Skype into its social networking web site for video chat. Meanwhile, Windows users are up to Skype client version 5.5, which includes instant messaging to Facebook friends.


To see the Skype blog statement click here
To download Skype for MAC click Here

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Mac App Store Upgrade: Will OS X Lion be Apple's Vista

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 5/07/2011 04:01:00 pm


The first thing that came to mind when I heard that Apple may seed OS X 10.7 Lion via the Mac App Store to all users running Snow Leopard: Windows Vista.
The new Apple OS is due out this summer, but the idea of upgrading purely through a digital download does not appeal to me and I think it spells trouble for Apple. Just as Windows users found going from XP to Vista, an upgrade to Lion may be more of a hassle than it's worth.
Sure, developers have been grabbing Lion on the Mac App Store for months now. But there's a big difference between allowing a small group of technically proficient people to do this and opening the process up to the larger public.
Regardless of how solid Apple's download process might be, sometimes you want to use a physical disc to install software. In my opinion, a major operating system upgrade qualifies as one of those times. Here's why.

Smells Like Vista

Some people prefer to wipe their hard drives and do a fresh install instead of dealing with potential software conflicts and other pitfalls during an OS upgrade. But if you have to reinstall Snow Leopard first and then download Lion, the fresh install process becomes a real pain.
Just like Windows users who wanted to wipe their hard drives before upgrading to Vista from XP, it sounds like OS X Lion users will end up tied to a double OS installation.

Installs Fail

Now, I admit, I have upgraded many computers running versions of Windows, OS X, and Linux, and I have never run into a problem. Perhaps your experience is the same, but I bet you know someone who has had an OS installation nightmare.
For that reason alone, the idea of upgrading to OS X without a physical disc makes me queasy. If your Internet connection fails or the power goes out in the middle of your installation, it's best to have the new OS on a DVD or USB stick so that you can reboot and try to install again. If not, I guess it's back to the Snow Leopard disc for you and then another run at Lion.

Refresh Yourself

Believe it or not, even on a Mac you may find you want to wipe your hard drive and do a fresh install of OS X as your machine ages. You may find simply find that a fresh install would do it some good.
Or what if you decide to run Windows in a Boot Camp partition after you've had Lion going for a year or two? Chances are to make room for Windows you'll have to either defrag your hard drive (good luck with that on a Mac), or tinker with Disk Utility, or take the easy way out and just reinstall OS X. Without a Lion disc that probably means a double OS installation for you.

Boot Camp

If you want to run Windows using Boot Camp you need specific drivers from Apple before Microsoft's OS will work properly on a Mac. Most of the time you get those drivers through your OS X installation disc, although you can also get them from Apple as a download via Boot Camp Assistant.
But if you have problems downloading Apple's Windows drivers -- as I did when I tested the system this morning -- I guess you're out of luck, unless you have an OS X installation disc.

Look to Linux

If Apple really does seed OS X Lion as a download in the Mac App Store, I hope the company will offer the capability to burn a disc image the way Linux distributions do such as Ubuntu and openSUSE. That way you get the best of both worlds: an OS X Lion download and a physical copy of the OS as a safeguard.
The downside to that approach is you'll have to use Disk Utility to burn your disc, which might scare off the average user. Then again, Apple could create a simple wizard that burns the disc for you and all you have to do is insert the blank storage media when prompted. Maybe that's not as painless as a simple download, but a major OS X upgrade via the Mac App Store could give Apple the lion's share of tech headaches this summer.

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