Intego Mac Podcast

There's new malware attacking cryptocurrency apps, WhatsApp warns users about data it is sharing with Facebook, and Apple loses a copyright fight with a company that virtualizes iOS so security researchers can look for vulnerabilities. We also look at how you can manage and secure notifications on your devices, so you don't get too distracted, and also so personal information isn't visible when yo...

On December 31, 2020, Adobe Flash Player is officially dead. This browser plugin, which provided multimedia content for the early internet, has been plagued by security issues, and became the most exploited vector for malware on the Mac. We look back on 25 years of Flash. Show Notes : The History of Adobe Flash Player: From Multimedia to Malware Articles about Flash on the Intego Mac Security Blog...

As the year ends, we look back on the security issues that arose in 2020, including malware that bypassed Apple's checks, Flash Player malware, and malware that specifically targeted Mac developers. Show Notes : Apple security in 2019: year in review Apple Security 2020: The Year in Review Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial...

Apple has introduced new app privacy information on its app stores, explaining how developers collect data. We also look at this week's Apple updates, including one for iOS 12, and even iCloud for Windows. And we discuss how Google is manipulating links in emails, ostensibly to protect users. Show Notes : Apple releases iOS 12.5 for older iPhones with support for COVID-19 exposure notifications Gm...

Apple announces new over-the-ear headphones, AirPods Max, and we discuss whether these meet the needs of our hosts. Apple doubles down on anti-tracking rules, and WhatsApps complains about Apple's coming "nutrition labels" about data collection in apps. And Apple and Cloudflare have come up with a new way of sending DNS requests that protects privacy. Show Notes : Apple AirPods Max Apple Could Ban...

We discuss how new security features in macOS Big Sur can make it difficult to install certain apps. We talk about Amazon Sidewalk, a feature that will share your bandwidth from Amazon devices. We look at an astounding remote wi-fi exploit that could have let hackers access your iPhone. And Kirk discusses his first week with the new MacBook Air, which has surprised him. Show Notes : Black Friday;...

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, we give some tips on buying older devices that may be insecure. We discuss how to audit your subscriptions with Apple, so you don't pay for what you're no longer using. We look at how to securely dispose of a Mac when you're selling or giving it away. And we talk about the new HomePod mini: is it the right smart speaker for you? Show Notes : Caution! T...

Apple released macOS Big Sur last week. On release day, there were a number of issues, including problems launching apps on Macs. We discuss what happened, and how Apple is changing its Gatekeeper security check. We also talk about when you should upgrade to Big Sur and how you should prepare your Mac for the big upgrade. Show Notes : MacBook Pro 2013 and 2014 may get bricked — wait until Apple fi...

Apple announced three new Macs with its own processors, the first of a transition of the complete line of Macs to Apple silicon that should be complete in about two years. At the same time, macOS Big Sur is released. We discuss the new Macs, Apple's M1 "system on a chip", and a two-year old Apple bug that still hasn't been fixed. Show Notes : Apple neglects to fix “fake headlines” bug usable for e...

Sometimes when things start going wrong on your Mac, you may think you have malware. In this episode, Josh and Kirk discuss the possible signs of a malware attack, and the steps to take if you think that you've been infection. In the introduction, we said we didn't think there would be much Apple-related news this week, but we learned that Apple will be announcing new Macs, and the release date fo...

Quantum computing is just around the corner, and it will affect the way computer security works. Strong passwords and encryption will be cracked, and we'll need new ways to secure our data and identity. We also discuss complaints against Apple's coming anti-tracking protection in iOS, and we revisit the suggestions that Apple may build its own search engine. Show Notes : iOS 14's Upcoming Anti-Tra...

Josh and Kirk discuss 5G: what it is, how it works, and how fast it is. Is it worth getting a new iPhone 12 for 5G? Also, we look at another case of Apple notarizing malware, and a new RAT that started out on Windows and is now threatening the Mac. Show Notes : Apple notarizes new Mac malware… again Apple notarizes dozens of Mac malware samples (August, 2020) GravityRAT moves from Windows to targe...

Josh and Kirk talk about Apple's announcement of the iPhone 12, and whether they plan to upgrade. They explain the point of the HomePod mini, and discuss what Siri can do with this new home device from Apple. We also look at the new MagSafe charging system on the iPhone 12. Show Notes : Apple Announces iPhone 12 and HomePod mini Apple HomePod Review: Superior Sound, but Limited by Siri Apple HomeP...

Josh and Kirk celebrate three years of the Intego Mac Podcast, and we discuss what Apple is likely to announce next week. We also look at a useful tip to keep thieves from using a stolen iPhone, a problematic macOS update that Apple had to pull, and serious, unmatchable issues with the T2 security chip in recent Macs. And yet another reminder that Flash is dead. Show Notes : “Protect your iPhone f...

Apple's Safari web browser has a new feature that prevents trackers from profiling you; we discuss how this works to protect you on the Mac and on iOS. We also talk about the new Series 6 Apple watch, and the solo loop band. And we take a detour to look at how a security researcher put ransomware on a coffee machine. Show Notes : Review: Apple Watch Series 6 & Solo Loop Band When coffee makers...

The popular fitness tracking app Strava can assist stalkers; Facebook is irked about European regulators; a new Bluetooth vulnerability takes a new tack on attacks; and we look at some disturbing drive-by downloads that are coming from rogue Google ads. Show Notes : Strava and stalkers Facebook Says it Will Stop Operating in Europe If Regulators Don’t Back Down Shortly after we recorded, Facebook...

Apple announced new Apple Watch models, updated iPads, a new fitness subscription service, and a subscription bundle, Apple One. While iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 were released this week, there's still no news on macOS. Josh and Kirk look at all the new stuff, and try to figure out what's best for most users. Show Notes : Apple Introduces New Apple Watch, iPad Air, and AppleOne Services Bundle Which iPad...

With Apple holding a new product event next week, we discuss recent speculation that Apple might be building a search engine. The discuss the implications of this, especially if Apple's own search engine replaced Google as the default search engine on macOS and iOS. Show Notes : Could an Apple VPN or search engine be launching soon? How to switch search engines on macOS and iOS (and why you should...

iOS 13.7 is out, with support for COVID-19 exposure notifications. Apple's clever new privacy ad highlights the way people give up personal data. Criminals are using Ring doorbells to know when the cops are coming. And Apple approved, through their "notarization" system, dozens of malicious apps. Show Notes : iOS 13.7 Now Available With Support for Exposure Notifications Express Apple Shares Humor...

A Lightroom update has wiped user photos, and there's no way to get them back; malicious Chinese code in 1,200 iOS apps is collecting data and simulating clicks to make money; and a chilling story shows why a six-digit passcode isn't enough to protect your data on an iOS device. Show Notes : Lightroom App Update Wipes Users’ Photos and Presets, Adobe Says they are ‘Not Recoverable’ Malicious Chine...

New Mac malware targets the Xcode development environment, and Apple has know about it for more than a month, but didn't share the information with security specialists. Epic vs. Apple: who will win the Fortnite battle royale? And we discuss backing up your Mac using Time Machine, Intego Personal Backup, and using a NAS for backups and other file storage. Show Notes : What if Apple was forced to a...

Apple is planning on offering a bundle of services called Apple One, and we discuss how useful it might be. We mention new iOS and macOS updates, talk about the Have I Been Pwned website going open source, look into an Amazon Alexa abomination, and explain why Tor isn't as safe as you might have thought. We then take a look at the many ways you can send files securely to someone; and explain how s...

Apple updated the 27" iMac this week, and it may be the last new desktop Mac running Intel processors, but should you buy this one or wait for Apple's own chips? Google accidentally enabled some of its speakers to listen in on sounds in people's homes, and we update recent stories about Garmin getting hit by ransomware, and the Great Twitter Hack of 2020. Show Notes : New 27" iMac Garmin reportedl...

We talk about an update on the Great Twitter Hack of 2020, discuss a ransomware attack on Garmin that shut down the company's services, and even its assembly lines, and warn listeners about some Netgear devices that have vulnerabilities and can't be updated. We then discuss the often ridiculous way hacking is portrayed in movies and TV. Show Notes : More than 1,000 people at Twitter had ability to...

We follow up on the great Twitter hack of 2020, we discuss how a Cloudflare outage brought down many major websites, and Kirk tells a story of a suspicious email from his local government. We then examine whether smart locks are really safe. Show Notes : Cloudflare had a (non-security) outage IsItDownRightNow? Hackers Tell the Story of the Twitter Attack From the Inside Twitter Hacking for Profit...