Apple Updates to Patch Security Flaws for iOS and OS X

Apple’s latest mobile and desktop operating systems, iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan, launched in the second half of September. As of October 22nd, Apple has released updates for both operating systems to patch notable security flaws. The updates, iOS 9.1 and OS X 10.11.1, are essential for users who have updated their Apple devices to the latest operating systems.

According to a report on the updates from eWeek, Apple decided to release quick patches for their latest operating systems after third-party sources—including Google’s Project Zero and Yahoo’s Pentest team—identified …

Creating Password Protected Disk Images on Mac

Creating a disk image is a method often used for system backup, and can essentially clone your hard drive by copying the contents and structure of the disk and saving them exactly as they are on your computer. Using Mac’s Disk Utility, you can create a password-protected and fully encrypted disk image for secure system backup and disk cloning. Use the steps below to create a protected disk image for your Mac’s hard drive.

Open the Disk Utility

To get started with creating a protected disk image, you will need …

8 Tips to Keep your Mac Happy, Healthy, and Safe

Macs are sleek and slick computers that can run well for years after you take them out of the box. Like all other computers, though, your Mac is not immune to slowdowns, bugs, and other problems, and it’s up to you to keep your machine happy, healthy, and safe. Use the eight tips listed below to keep your Mac running like a well-oiled machine for years after first use.

(Once you’re done checking out this page, be sure to see our 2021 macOS Big Sur setup guide for even more …

4 Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Apple’s iCloud Keychain...

Note: This page refers to older versions of Keychain. We have an updated (2021) article about iCloud Keychain features.

Even if you don’t use it, you probably already know that the basic purpose of your Mac’s Keychain software is password management. iCloud Keychain is meant to make browsing the web, connecting to Wi-Fi networks, making credit card payments online, and other day-to-day internet tasks easier, by remembering all of your usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, Wi-Fi network …

How to configure Mac OS X Firewall

Unlike the firewall settings in Windows, the built-in firewall for Mac OS X is not enabled by default. If you’ve recently purchased a new Mac computer, then you will have to go in and turn on the firewall manually if you want that protection. The steps to do so are quite simple and user-friendly, but the first question is this: do you need to enable the firewall on your Mac?

The short answer is “yes.” Apple leaves the firewall disabled by default because it can cause issues with certain …

Recovering a Lost or Stolen iPhone

It goes without saying that the sleek, lightweight, and attractive design of the iPhones makes it an ideal smartphone choice for many. Unfortunately, those characteristics also make Apple’s flagship device both easy to lose and a target for theft. The small, light, and slippery design of the iPhone means that it can slip out of your pocket or bag without you immediately realizing it. And since iPhones are expensive, valuable assets, they tend to be the apple of many a potential thief’s eye (pun intended).

The good news is …

Newly Discovered OS X Security Flaw Could Give Hackers an Easy Way to Take...

If you by chance haven’t updated to Mac OS X 10.10 just yet (e.g., the Yosemite operating system update that first became available last October), then you may want to hold off. According to a recent blog post by cyber security researcher Stefan Esser, Apple added a few features to the code of OS X 10.10 that have introduced some pretty serious vulnerabilities into the system. The issues, Esser noted, are present in both the current Yosemite release (OS X 10.10.4), as well as in the beta version of …

MacKeeper URL handler remote code execution vulnerability and proof-of-concept...

Security Advisory update issued: 05/08/2015

MacKeeper has posted an advisory on their blog detailing the security issue and the steps they have taken in response. A new version of MacKeeper has been released to address the vulnerability, and MacKeeper users should update to the latest version as soon as possible. By default, MacKeeper automatically checks for updates, and users should click OK when prompted in order to install the update.

Original advisory follows:

Date issued: 05/07/2015

Risk: Critical (for users running MacKeeper)

A vulnerability has been discovered in MacKeeper, a utility program for OS X. …

Shoring up your Mac’s Security in Yosemite

Anyone who’s used a Mac for any length of time knows that comfy, secure feeling you get when logging into OS X. It’s great. And best of all, it’s malware-free. Right?

Well, not exactly…

What Will You do for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

It’s often easy to overlook the importance of online security, but when you consider the cost of cybercrime is estimated between $24 billion and $120 billion each year in the US alone, it really puts things into perspective.

The National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) is an event backed by the Department of Homeland Security and is recognized every October. The cyber threats out there are very real, which is why NCSAM is now in its 10th consecutive year.

In the spirit of this initiative, here are 5 easy-to-implement tips to ensure your …

Behind the Scenes with Private Browsing

As the leading contenders in the web browser industry (such as Google’s Chrome, Apple’s Safari and Mozilla’s Firefox) began battling for the hearts and minds of the public, it was only a matter of time before they took advantage of the growing concern regarding online privacy. “Private browsing” was the solution that was offered to put our minds at ease.

This feature is known by different names depending on the browser you use, but whether it’s Incognito Mode, InPrivate Browsing, or Private Browsing Mode, we’re led to believe that we can …

OSX/CoinThief Manual Identification and Removal Instructions

Updated: February 12, 2014

OSX/CoinThief has been distributed under four different names so far: BitVanity, StealthBit, Bitcoin Ticker TTM, and Litecoin Ticker.

BitVanity and StealthBit were distributed on Github, while Bitcoin Ticker TTM and Litecoin Ticker were distributed on Download.com and MacUpdate.com. Both app names appear to have been taken from legitimate apps in the Mac App Store. The malicious payload was not found in Mac App Store copies of these apps.

When run, the malware installs a browser extension in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, which will appear in those apps as "Pop-Up …

New Apple Mac Trojan Called OSX/CoinThief Discovered

Malware: OSX/CoinThief.A
Date Discovered: February 9th, 2014
Updated: February 13, 2014

Added: Feb 13th 2014: Wednesday evening, Apple updated XProtect to defend against the two known variants of OSX/CoinThief.

SecureMac has more information on how the CoinThief malware is initially installed on infected systems, with steps it takes to disguise its behavior:

The malware is taking the place of the main binary in the trojanized versions of Bitcoin Ticker TTM and Litecoin Ticker, and is set up to run as an agent with a setting for LSUIElement in the Info.plist file. This makes it so …

PrivacyScan Available on Apple’s Volume Purchase Program

SecureMac’s award winning PrivacyScan software can now be downloaded in volume by schools, businesses and other organizations via the Apple Volume Purchase Program. Prior to last month, bulk purchasing software license keys was only an option for Apple software products such as GarageBand and iMovie. It is now open to all software developers creating apps and other products for iOS or OSX.

The PrivacyScan software is referred to by many as a “personal privacy clean up utility.” It scans the hard drive for information that could lead to hidden privacy threats, …

PrivacyScan Publishes Infographic Explaining Net Cookies to Raise Awareness of...

For immediate release October 18, 2013

Summary: SecureMac continues its work to raise awareness of online privacy issues with the release of an internet cookie infographic. The aim is educate and dispel common misunderstandings about the nature of cookies and what they mean for consumer privacy.

SecureMac, creator of the critically acclaimed consumer privacy software, PrivacyScan, continues its initiative to raise awareness of online privacy issues with the release of an infographic to help people understand internet cookies.

The PrivacyScan cookie infographic aims to educate Internet surfers, allowing them to make more informed …

CNet Adware Identification and Removal Guide for Mac OS X

The links for many popular Mac apps on CNET’s download.com have been replaced with a “CNET installer” that installs toolbar adware and changes browser settings. This guide shows how to identify affected apps, how to avoid the toolbar installer, how to determine if it has been installed on your system, and how to remove it if so.

Adware can be a threat to user privacy, and is used to track a user’s browsing habits online. For example, the permissions for one of the Google Chrome extensions shows what these toolbars can …

CNET’s Download.com Adware Installer Bundled with Popular Apps –...

Update (10/29/13 12:15pm): SecureMac has prepared a guide to help users identify and remove the adware being distributed by CNET’s download.com in place of popular Mac apps. The guide provides detailed information, including step-by-step instructions to determine if the adware is installed on your system, and the steps to remove it. View CNet Adware Identification and Removal Guide for Mac OS X.

Direct download links for a variety of popular Mac software products have been replaced on CNET’s Download.com with installers for browser toolbars, commonly used by adware to track user …