Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Mac OS. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Mac OS. 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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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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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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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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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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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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Up-gradation of Firefox 5.0.1 for MAC OS X Has Been Fixed

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 7/14/2011 01:32:00 pm


Mozilla has released version 5.0.1 of Firefox. As previously reported, the maintenance update to Firefox 5 addresses problems with Apple's upcoming Mac OS X Lion operating system that could cause the browser to crash. Firefox 5.0.1 also resolves an issue caused by one of Apple's latest Java updates (Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 10) that prevented the Java plug-in from being loaded. Although the release notes mention only changes affecting the Mac OS X version of Firefox, updates to the Windows and Linux versions have also been released.
Further information about the update can be found in the release notes. Firefox 5.0.1 is available to download for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux from the project's web site. Alternatively, users can upgrade to the new versions either by waiting for the automated update notification or by manually selecting "Check for updates" from the Help Menu.
Update: To avoid a crashing problem on the upcoming version of Mac OS X, Mozilla has released an update to the 3.6.x branch of Firefox, version 3.6.19, that disables downloadable fonts when running on Mac OS X Lion. The developers say that they hope to enable them again in a future release. In a post on the Mozilla Developer Center blog, the developers also note that Windows and Linux users "do not need and will not see the update offer" for Firefox 3.6.19 or 5.0.1.

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Flashback Trojan Infected Over 600,000 Mac-OS Users, Apple Pushes Out Fix Again

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 4/09/2012 12:38:00 pm

Flashback Trojan Infected Over 600,000 Mac-OS Users, Apple Pushes Out Fix Again 

Russian anti-virus vendor Dr. Web spotted a Trojan affecting nearly 600,000 Macs around the world. The near immune image of the Mac OS X has simply crumbled. So much for Macs being relatively safe against malware attacks. That idea took a punch to the stomach this week when the news broke about the Flashback trojan affecting more than half a million Macs worldwide. Flashback is essentially the malware equivalent of a smash-and-grab thief. Exploiting a Java vulnerability, the code installs and runs when the user visits a compromised or malicious website, intercepting private data, like passwords, and sending it back out over the internet. According to Doctor Web, sources claim that “links to more than four million compromised web-pages could be found on a Google SERP [search results] at the end of March. In addition, some posts on Apple user forums described cases of infection by [the latest variant] BackDoor.Flashback.39 when visiting dlink.com.” The trojan, Backdoor.Flashback.39, can infect computers via an infected web page. The vulnerability itself lies in Java, a product which is not Apple’s
About 57% of infected machines were in the US, 20% in Canada, 13% in UK and 6% in Australia. Apple has already issued patches that curb the vulnerability, but it does not necessarily mean that all users have applied the security patch on their Macs. Even Mozilla has block listed all the older and vulnerable Java plug-in from Firefox. Users are recommended to install the recent Apple Java update to close the hole which allows malicious web pages to drop the trojan onto a system and to always check which application is actually asking for your password when requested.

Update: To detect if a system is infected with Flashback, run each of the following commands in the Mac OS X Terminal:-
defaults read ~/.MacOSX/environment DYLD_INSERT_LIBRARIES
defaults read /Applications/Safari.app/Contents/Info LSEnvironment
defaults read /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/Info LSEnvironment

If all these commands respond with "The domain/default pair of ... does not exist", then there is no Flashback infection. Otherwise consult the F-Secure advisory for manual removal instructions.

If you’re running Mac OS X v10.6.8, Mac OS X Server v10.6.8, OS X Lion v10.7.3 and Lion Server v10.7.3, be sure to hit up Software Update in your System Preferences.



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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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Apple Released Mac OS X Lion v10.7.3 & Closes Security Hole

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 2/02/2012 08:45:00 pm

Apple Released OS X Lion v10.7.3 & Closes Security Hole

As expected Apple has released security update 2012-001 for Mac OS X 10.7.3 and, for Mac OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard. In this release they have addressed a number of vulnerabilities in the company's desktop and server operating systems. According to Apple through this release they have patched more than 50 security holes such as remotely execute arbitrary code on a victim's system, gain access to private information or cause a denial-of-service (DoS).
The Client and Server updates fix issues in Address Book, ColorSync, CoreAudio, CoreMedia, CoreText, CoreUI, OpenGL, Internet Sharing, ImageIO, and in the QuickTime media player and various libraries used by Mac OS X. Other problems addressed include vulnerabilities in Apache, the libpng reference library, the PHP scripting language, Subversion and X11. Security Update 2012-001 also corrects problems in Tomcat and SquirrelMail.
Users can download Mac OS X Lion 10.7.3 (Client Standard Update 997.01 MB, Client Combo Update 1.2 GB, Server Standard Update 1 GB, Server Combo Update 1.34 GB) and Security Update 2012-001 (Client 192.73 MB, Server 212.09 MB) from Apple's Support Downloads page. Alternatively, Mac OS X users can upgrade to the latest releases using the built-in Software Update function. 
Additional information can be found on the support page.

For security issue all the users are advised to update their system as early as possible.


-Source (Apple, The-H)



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Mac OS X 10.7.2 & Safari 5.1.1 Released (Multiple Security Vulnerability Has Been Fixed)

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 10/14/2011 06:30:00 pm


Apple has released Mac OS X 10.7.2 and, for Mac OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard users who have yet to upgrade to Lion, Security Update 2011-006; these updates address a number of security vulnerabilities in the company's desktop and server operating systems. According to Apple, more than 70 holes have been closed by the updates, many of which could be exploited by an attacker to remotely execute code with elevated privileges, gain access to private information, or cause a denial-of-service (DoS).
Mac OS X 10.7.2 and Security Update 2011-006 fix issues in the QuickTime media player, iChat Server, CoreFoundation, CoreMedia, CoreProcesses, CoreStorage, and the kernel, as well as IOGraphics, MediaKit and Open Directory. Other problems addressed by the update include security vulnerabilities in Apache, the Application Firewall, the BIND DNS server, PHP, Python, the SMB File Server, Tomcat and X11. Various root certificates were also added or updated.
Apple also released an update for its Safari web browser for Windows and Mac OS X. Version 5.1.1 of Safari corrects a total of 43 security vulnerabilities, most of which are memory corruption issues in the WebKit browser engine that could be exploited to execute arbitrary code. Directory traversal, policy, and uninitialised memory access issues have also been fixed.

To Download Safari 5.1.1 Click Here

To Download Mac OS X Lion 10.7.2

To Download Security Update 2011-006


-News Source (Apple & The H)



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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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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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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 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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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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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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Apple Releases iOS 6 With 200+ New Features & Mountain Lion 10.8.2 With Facebook Integration & Game Center

Posted by Avik Sarkar On 9/23/2012 12:05:00 am

Apple Releases iOS 6 With 200+ New Features & Mountain Lion 10.8.2 With Facebook Integration & Game Center

As expected, here comes double bang from Apple. Apple has also released  iOS 6 along with OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 and made available for public. In case of users of recent iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch models can obtain the update either by connecting their devices to iTunes and clicking the "Check for Update" button or checking for over-the-air updates on their devices. iOS 6 adds over 200 new features, including Apple's own Maps app, Facebook integration, Siri improvements, Apple's new Passbook digital wallet app, and more. iOS 6 is compatible with the third-generation iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and fourth-generation iPod touch. It will also ship on the iPhone 5, which launches on Friday, and on the fifth-generation iPod touch launching next month. The operating system arrives as the golden master build 10A403 for existing devices, and Apple has also posted a special 10A405 build for the iPhone 5 and a 10A406 build for the upcoming fifth-generation iPod touch.

With iOS Apple quietly pushed out 10.8.2, the second minor update to Mountain Lion since it was released in July. The update is currently available via the Software Update functionality in the Mac App Store. The update includes a number of enhancements, most notably Facebook integration and Game Center. It also includes support for several features integrating with iOS 6, such as Passbook passes and  iMessage/FaceTime access via phone number. 

This update is recommended for all OS X Mountain Lion users, and includes new features and fixes:
Facebook 
• Single sign on for Facebook
• Adds Facebook as an option when sharing links and photos
• See Facebook friends' contact information and profile pictures in Contacts
• Facebook notifications now appear in Notification Center



Game Center
• Share scores to Facebook, Twitter, Mail, or Messages
• Facebook friends are included in Game Center friend recommendations
• Added Facebook "Like" button for games
• Challenge friends to beat your score or achievement



Other new features
• Adds Power Nap support for MacBook Air (Late 2010)
• iMessages sent to your phone number now appear in Messages on your Mac
• You can now add passes to Passbook (on your iPhone or iPod touch) from Safari and Mail on your Mac
• FaceTime can now receive calls sent to your phone number
• New shared Reminders lists
• New sort options allow you to sort notes by title, the date you edited them, and when you created them
• Dictation now supports additional languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Korean, Canadian English, Canadian French, and Italian
• Dictionary app now includes a French definition dictionary
Sina Weibo profile photos can now be added to Contacts

* Requires iOS 6


General fixes
The OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.2 update also includes general operating system fixes that improve the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac, including the following fixes:


• Adds an option to discard the changes in the original document when choosing Save As 
• Unsent drafts are now opened automatically when launching Mail
• Receive Twitter notifications for mentions and replies from anyone
• URLs are shortened when sending tweets from Notification Center
• Notifications are disabled when AirPlay Mirroring is being used
• Adds SSL support for Google searches from the Smart Search Field in Safari
• Adds a new preference to have Safari launch with previously open webpages
• Resolves an issue that may cause the "Enable Autodiscover" checkbox to always remain checked
• Enables access to the Mac App Store when Parental Controls are enabled Support for @icloud.com email addresses
• Resolves a video issue with some VGA projectors when connected to certain Mac notebooks
• Addresses an issue that may prevent Active Directory accounts from being locked out
• Resolves an issue that may cause the policy banner to re-appear prior to logging in
• Improvements to SMB
• Addresses an issue with NIS users when auto-login is enabled
• Addresses an issue in which the Keychain may not be accessible
• Ability to pre-authenticate a FileVault protected system
• Addresses an issue that may cause Xsan to not automatically start after migrating from Mac OS X Snow Leopard 


Direct downloads of OS X 10.8.2 is also available through Apple's site form the following links-



-Source (Apple & MacRumors)                             




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Recovery Disk Tool of Mac OS X Lion By Apple

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


Apple Inc. on Monday released Lion Recovery Disk Assistant software to enable the users of its latest Mac OS X 10.7 Lion create recovery partitions on external storage devices.
The latest utility offered by the Cupertino, California-based iPhone maker will prove beneficial to Mac Lion users in case their hard drives go kaput.
The software will run every function that a built-in recovery drive in the Lion OS does like re-installing the OS, repairing the drive, restoration from Time Machine storage.

The Lion Recovery Disk Assistant software is available on company’s website for free download. Mac owners can easily use the utility with the help of a flash drive of minimum 1 GB storage space or more. Hard drives connected via a data cable can also be put to use.

"This drive can be used in the event you cannot start your computer with the built-in Recovery HD, or you have replaced the hard drive with a new one that does not have Mac OS X installed," Apple stated on its website.
Apple has warned its users that the new utility software will erase already stored data on the external hard drive therefore it is advisable to back up all the existing data. The recovery tool can be downloaded from the link here.

Fore More information about Lion recovery Disk Software click Here

-News Source (IT-Portal) 

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