Intego Mac Podcast

We discuss Apple's HomePod, and the security implications of having an AI listening to you all the time. We also cover news about the Chrome browser's new built-in ad blocker, a text message bug that affects Apple devices (and is now fixed), and an interesting new chip in Apple's iMac Pro. Google turns on default adblocker within Chrome This new text bomb crashes most Mac and iOS apps with a singl...

We look at the year in Mac security 2017, and discuss the rise in malware. And we discuss the best strategies for backing up your Mac. But first, Kirk tells about how his website was (sort of) hacked. NameCheap Name Server Vulnerability Allows Unauthorized Users to Create Sub-Domains Subdomain (Wikipedia) DNS - Domain Name System (Wikipedia) Registrar Namecheap let miscreants slap spam, malware on...

An overuse of ads has made it hard to read websites. In order to read easily, and safely, it's useful to use an ad blocker. We discuss why you may want to use an ad blocker, how they work, and how to use them in macOS and iOS. Ad-Blockers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ethics Episode 15: What's a VPN, and Why Should You Use One? (Where we discussed Apple's malware removal tool). Intego Virus Barrier...

We use lots of strange words to describe malware and security issues. We look at malware and security lingo, explain who gets to name new malware, and also talk about Apple's latest updates to all their operating systems. Apple security update information macOS Sierra, OS X El Capitan Updates Patch Meltdown Flaw Episode 15: What's a VPN, and Why Should You Use One? Meltdown and Spectre: What Apple...

After a brief discussion of the week's news, we look at VPNs, virtual private networks. We explain how they work, and when and why you might want to use one. Note that Apple released fixes for the Messages bug and some other issues we discuss on January 23, the day before this episode was published. ¡Ay, MaMi! New DNS-Hijacking Mac Malware Discovered (Updated) How the Anti-Malware Function in Appl...

We discuss and explain the issue around iPhone batteries, and tell you what to do if your iPhone's battery isn't lasting all day. We also look at a new, dumb password bug in macOS High Sierra, new Wi-Fi security standards, and new Mac malware. Yet another macOS High Sierra bug: Unlock App Store system preferences with any password Is Apple Even Paying Attention To macOS Security Anymore? Wi-Fi All...

Meltdown and Spectre; two vulnerabilities that affect the majority of computers and portable devices in circulation, need software and perhaps hardware fixes to be secure. Josh discuss an interview he conducted with a security researcher on some particularly malicious adware/malware. We also answer some reader email, and explain what "hashing" is. Meltdown and Spectre: What Apple Users Need to Kno...

The producer of our podcast, Doug Adams, had his iCloud account hacked, and he joins us to explain what happened, and how he resolved the issue. We talk about what to do if this happens to you. And we tell you everything you need to know to not be a victim of phishing. iMessage hack floods Apple users with Chinese texts (Mashable) haveibeenpwned.com Clever Phishing Scam Targets Your Apple ID and P...

Search engines collect and harvest lots of data about you, what you look for, where you are, and what you buy. We explain how you can tell Google to store less of their data, and how to change to a more privacy-friendly search engine. And we explain what Apple's "differential privacy" is all about. Learning with Privacy at Scale How One of Apple's Key Privacy Safeguards Falls Short Corpus Linguist...

With just a few days before Christmas, we discuss how to safely shop online in the holiday season and all year round. We also talk about a recent Apple firmware update for AirPort base stations, one that patches the KRACK exploit. Wi-Fi KRACK Vulnerabilities: FAQ for Mac, iPhone and iPad Users AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.7.9 Information AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.6.9 Informa...

Apple discovered an embarrassing bug on December 2, and had to rush out a hurried update to fix it. We discuss this, look at the best way to back up iOS devices, and explain a change that Apple has made to iOS that trades security for convenience. Early reports about the December 2 bug Apple support document about the December 2 crash Intego Mac Podcast, Episode 8: I Have Root “I Am Root”: A Retro...

We discuss the recent serious vulnerability that affects macOS High Sierra, which prompted Apple to rush out a security update. We explain what this means, and how important it is to keep your Mac up to date. “I Am Root”: A Retrospective on a Severe Mac Vulnerability The "sudo" command (Wikipedia) High Sierra Root Login Bug Was Mentioned on Apple’s Support Forums Two Weeks Ago Contact Apple About...

We look at a fake antivirus blog that's distributing malware, and we discuss why you need to protect your Mac when you're at the coffee machine. Because Tom Cruise might be lurking near your Mac. Watch Out! A Fake Antivirus Blog is Distributing Proton Malware Handbrake’s Server Compromised, Download Installs Complex Trojan Mac Users Hit by Rare Ransomware Attack, Spread via Transmission BitTorrent...

Kirk and Josh talk take a close look at passwords, how to create secure passwords, and what types of passwords to avoid. Episode 5: Two-Factor Authentication; Should You Be Worried about Bitcoin? haveibeenpwned.com correcthorsebatterystaple (XKCD) List of the most common passwords (Wikipedia) How to Choose the Right Password Manager for You Bruce Schneier Get 50% off Intego's Mac Premium Bundle X9...

Kirk and Josh talk explain what two-factor authentication is and why you should use it, then discuss Bitcoin, and explain how some apps and websites hijack your processor to make (virtual) money. Two-Factor Authentication: How It Works and Why You Should Use It MacVoices Update: Twitter Unhacked... Two-factor authentication for Apple ID Multi-factor authentication (Wikipedia) Security tokens (Wiki...

Kirk and Josh talk discuss recent issues around apps having access to your iPhone's or iPad's camera all the time. They then wonder if they'd let Amazon go into their homes when no one's there to drop off packages. iOS apps can access both your cameras at any time iOS 11: A Complete Guide to iOS Security and Privacy Hacker Lexicon: What Are White Hat, Gray Hat, and Black Hat Hackers? Amazon Key Fr...

Kirk McElhearn and Josh Long talk about the latest Mac malware and threats, and look at Apple's new APFS file system, and what you need to know as you upgrade to macOS High Sierra. KRACK and the state of malware that affects Macs Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) OSX/Proton Malware is back How the Anti-Malware Function (XProtect) in Apple’s Snow Leopard Works The Ins and Outs of Apple’s New File Sy...

Kirk McElhearn and Josh Long chat with Serge Kameni, a long-time Intego developer, about the company's early years, then discuss Apple's Face ID, coming with the iPhone X. Happy Anniversary! Intego Celebrates 20 Years in Business Apple’s Face ID Security white paper (PDF) Macworld: Face ID FAQ Tom's Guide: Face ID FAQ Get 50% off Intego's Mac Premium Bundle X9 with the code PODCAST19. Download now...

Kirk McElhearn and Josh Long introduce the Intego Mac Podcast and discuss Apple's recent macOS and iOS operating system upgrades, and take a close look at Apple's security and privacy features. Apple's Privacy page Read about the Secure Enclave in this Apple iOS Security White Paper (PDF) The Secure Enclave hack is discussed in Month in Review: Apple Security in August 2017 Kirk's Apple Pay fraud...