Tag: macos

Apple Reveals Serious Security Flaws Affecting iPhone, iPad, Mac Models; Experts Urge Users to Update Devices

Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhone, iPad and Mac models that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices. Apple released two security reports about the issue on Wednesday, although they didn’t receive wide attention outside of tech publications. Apple’s explanation of the vulnerability means a hacker could get “full admin access” to the device. That would allow intruders to impersonate the device’s owner and subsequently run any software in their name, said Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security.

Security experts have advised users to update affected devices — the iPhone 6s and later models; several models of the iPad, including the 5th generation iPad and later, all iPad Pro models and the iPad Air 2; and Mac computers running MacOS Monterey. The flaw also affects some iPod models.

Apple did not say in the first or second report how, where or by whom the vulnerabilities were discovered. In all cases, it cited an anonymous researcher.

Commercial spyware companies such as Israel’s NSO Group are known for identifying and taking advantage of such flaws, exploiting them in malware that surreptitiously infects targets’ smartphones, siphons their contents and surveils the targets in real time.

NSO Group has been blacklisted by the US Commerce Department. Its spyware is known to have been used in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America against journalists, dissidents and human rights activists.

Security researcher Will Strafach said he had seen no technical analysis of the vulnerabilities that Apple has just patched. The company has previously acknowledged similarly serious flaws and, in what Strafach estimated to be perhaps a dozen occasions, has noted that it was aware of reports that such security holes had been exploited.

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CERT-In Detects Threats With High Severity in iPhone, iPad, Mac, ChromeOS and Firefox Browser

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) appointed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has found multiple vulnerabilities of high severity in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS by Apple as well as Google’ ChromeOS and Mozilla’ Firefox Internet browser. iOS is an operating system for iPhone models, iPadOS runs on iPad models, and macOS powers the Mac machines. As per the nodal agency, these vulnerabilities can be used to bypass security restrictions and cause denial-of-service (DoS) attacks rendering the devices unusable.

Mac machines running on macOS Catalina with security update prior to 2022-005, macOS Big Sur versions prior to 11.6.8, and macOS Monterey versions prior to 12.5 are at risk, as per CERT-In. The vulnerabilities in macOS versions as well as iOS and iPadOS could be exploited by a remote attacker by persuading a victim to visit a malicious website. The cybercriminal can execute arbitrary code, bypass security restrictions, and cause DoS conditions on the targeted system.

The macOS vulnerabilities exist due to out-of-bounds read in AppleScript, SMB and Kernel, out-of-bounds write in Audio, ICU, PS Normalizer, GU Drivers, SMB and WebKit. Authorisation issues have been found in AppleMobileFileIntegrity; information disclosure in the Calendar and iCloud Photo Library.

Similar vulnerabilities have been found in iOS and iPadOS versions prior to 15.6. The macOS vulnerabilities exist due to out-of-bounds write in Audio, ICU, GPU Drivers, and WebKit, out-of-bounds read in ImageIO and Kernel, authorisation issues have been found in AppleMobileFileIntegrity; information disclosure in the Calendar and iCloud Photo Library, among others.

In case of Mozilla Firefox, versions prior to 103, ESR versions prior to 102.1 and 91.12 have been found vulnerable. The vulnerabilities exist due to Memory safety bugs within the browser engine, preload cache bypasses subresource integrity, leak of cross-site resource redirecting information while using the Performance API, among others. These loopholes may provide an attacker access to sensitive information on the targeted system.

The vulnerabilities in Google ChromeOS pose a pretty similar threat as Firefox. The vulnerabilities exist in Google ChromeOS LTS channel versions prior to 96.0.4664.215 due to out-of-bounds read in the compositing component, incorrect implementation in Extension API, use-after-free error within the Blink XSLT component, among others.

CERT-In says these vulnerabilities can be fixed by installing software updates. Users of these operating systems and Mozilla Firefox are advised to install the software patches as soon as they can.

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Microsoft Defender Online Security App Launched for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows

Microsoft on Thursday announced the availability of new Microsoft Defender app for Microsoft 365 subscribers. Users across Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices with Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscriptions will be able to access the online security app now. The Defender app works as a central hub for managing and monitoring the security status across your computers and phones. It is claimed by the company to safeguard data and devices from malicious online threats and it will also recognise third-party antivirus solutions from Norton, MacAfee, and other companies. With the Defender app, users will get instant security alerts and tips to ensure the security of their devices, Microsoft says.

The company announced the release of Microsoft Defender app for individuals via a blog post on Thursday. The cybersecurity app, which was available for preview earlier, can now be accessed on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. It is bundled with Microsoft 365 Family or Personal plans and the features of the app vary across platforms.

Microsoft Defender, as detailed on the company’s forum, offers antivirus and anti-phishing protection for your data and devices. Once installed, you can manage security protections for you and all devices used in your family from the centralised dashboard. This hub will also show the third-party antivirus protection from Norton, McAfee or any other vendors. Besides, the new cross-platform Defender app gives security alerts and tips across different devices. This feature is for now limited to Windows and macOS devices. The company is also planning to add features like identity theft protection and a secure online connection to the framework soon.

As mentioned, Microsoft Defender comes free of cost, but you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use the Microsoft Defender app. The Microsoft 365 Personal plan costs Rs. 489 for a month in India, while the Microsoft 365 Family plan costs Rs. 619 per month. Besides, Microsoft is also offering a 30-day free trial for users. It is available for download via Microsoft Store, App Store, and Google Play.

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MacBook Air (2022), 13-Inch MacBook Pro (2022) With M2 Processors Launched: Price, Specifications

Apple has unveiled its latest M2 chipset at WWDC 2022, along with the first two computers to be powered by the company’s in-house chipset — the MacBook Air (2022), and the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2022). The newest models are equipped with the successor to the first-generation Apple Silicon chip that was announced at WWDC 2020. The MacBook Air is the first refresh of the company’s MacBook Air laptop since the M1 powered MacBook Air made its debut in November 2020. It features the biggest redesign to the MacBook Air series in years, and runs silently with a fan-less design, just like its predecessor. Both the new MacBook Air (2022) and MacBook Pro (2022) sport a 13-inch LCD display and come with the same full-sized function keys as the 2021 MacBook Pro lineup. The 2022 MacBook Air model features new chassis, similar to the MacBook Pro models with a more uniform shape.

Apple MacBook Air (2022), MacBook Pro (2022) price, availability

The Apple MacBook Air (2022) price starts at $1,199 (roughly Rs. 93,300). Meanwhile, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2022) starts at $1,299 (roughly Rs. 1,01,000). Apple says that the older MacBook Air with the M1 chip will continue to remain available at $999 (roughly Rs. 77,500). The new MacBook Air model will be available in Midnight, Silver, Space Grey, and Starlight Gold colour options through the Apple Online Store and will also allow users to pick configuration options via its website.

In India, the new MacBook models will be available from next month. The MacBook Air with M2 starts at Rs. 1,19,900 (Rs. 1,09,900 for education), while the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 starts at Rs. 1,29,900 (Rs. 1,19,900 for education).

In 2020, Apple launched the last-generation 13-inch MacBook Air model at a starting price of Rs. Rs. 92,900 for the 256GB storage model, while the 512GB variant was priced at Rs. 1,17,900. Pricing in the US was set at $999 (roughly Rs. 77,500) and $1,249 (roughly Rs. 96,900), respectively.

Apple MacBook Air (2022) specifications, features

The newly announced Apple MacBook Air (2022) is equipped with an M2 chipset, which is an improved version of the first generation M1 Apple Silicon chip that debuted on the MacBook Air (2020) model — with 20 billion transistors and a 10-core GPU. To recall, the first generation M1 chip came with four high-performance and four low-performance cores and offered up to eight graphics cores.

Apple says that the new chipset offers 18 percent improved CPU performance and 35 percent GPU performance over its predecessor and is 1.9 times faster (CPU) and 2.3 times faster (GPU) compared to competing 10-core processors. The new chipset also comes with the new Secure Enclave, media engine and neural engine, and users can add an external display with up to 6K resolution.

Apple has equipped the MacBook Air (2022) with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, unlike the mini-LED models that were featured on the 2021 MacBook Pro lineup. The display is claimed to offer an increased display size of 13.6-inches, with thinner bezels compared to the MacBook Air (2020) model. This means that the MacBook Air (2022) will sport a notch, just like the MacBook Pro models launched in 2021.

The Apple MacBook Air (2022) offers up to 2TB of SSD storage and can be configured with up to 24GB of unified memory. The laptop features a 1080p camera, which is an improvement over the 720p camera on the 2020 model. The company’s latest MacBook Air model is equipped with two USB Type-C/ Thunderbolt 4 ports and will come with support for MagSafe charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Like its predecessor, it is claimed to offer 18 hours of battery backup while watching videos on a single charge. The MacBook Air (2022) comes support for fast charging the device up to 50 percent in 30 minutes with an optional 67W USB Type-C power adapter. 

Apple also launched a successor to the M1 MacBook Pro model launched in 2020
Photo Credit: Apple

 

Apple MacBook Pro (2022) specifications, features

Like the MacBook Air (2022), the newly announced MacBook Pro (2022) is equipped with the new M2 chipset under the hood, and users can opt for up to 24GB of unified memory along with up to 2TB of storage. The MacBook Pro (2022) is equipped with a 13-inch Liquid Retina Display, and offers up to 500 nits of peak brightness with P3 colour support, according to Apple.

Like its predecessor, the MacBook Air is equipped with an active cooling system, and the fans should offer longer sustained performance at high clock speeds. The MacBook Pro will be offer the same 20-hour battery life on a single charge, which is higher than the original M1 MacBook Air and its successor that was announced today.

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macOS 13 Ventura Unveiled at Apple WWDC 2022: Release Date, Eligible Devices, More

Apple showcased macOS 13 Ventura at the WWDC 2022 keynote on Monday as its next iteration of software for Mac and MacBook machines. The new macOS release brings an updated multitasking experience through Stage Manager. The macOS 13 also brings redesign of preloaded apps including Mail, Notes, Reminders, and Messages. Additionally, Apple has brought a new Safari browser to macOS 13 Ventura. The new macOS release will be available for download on both Intel-powered as well as Apple Silicon-based Mac devices.

macOS 13 Ventura availability

macOS 13 Ventura has initially been available for testing purposes to developers who have signed up on the Apple Developer Program. The new release will also beta available as a public beta next month and will be available for download later this year — probably in October.

macOS 13 Ventura features

One of the key highlights of macOS 13 Ventura is the the addition of Stage Manager that lets you look at the list of apps running on the system from a single window. Users can activate Stage Manager directly from the Control Centre to easily multitask.

The new macOS release also includes overhauled System Preferences that now look similar to the Settings app on the iPhone and iPad. It includes individual settings being organised by app. The new macOS release also includes some redesigned apps to enhance user experience throughout the platform.

Apple has also introduced a new Messages app that brings social network-like functionality. The app is available pre-installed on macOS 13 — just like its version available on iOS 16.

The new macOS release comes with an updated Spotlight that lets you receive rich results for your searches. Spotlight on macOS 13 is also capable of starting a timer.

Apple has preloaded macOS 13 Ventura with an updated Mail app. It brings an improved search with suggestions and spelling correction. Further, Safari on macOS Ventura has been updated, with the ability to share tabs with friends and Passkeys. The latter is designed as a passwordless authentication standard that you can use to log in to different Web services using biometrics via Touch ID.

macOS 13 Ventura features at a glance
Photo Credit: Apple

 

For an enhanced gaming experience, macOS Ventura works with Metal 3 and MetalFX Upscaling. The addition of MetalFX Upscaling is claimed to enable developers to render rich, visually complex scenes faster on the system. Apple announced that No Man’s Sky will be the first game to come on the Mac later this year that will be one of the among the initial titles to use MetalFX Upscaling.

Apple has extended Continuity to FaceTime to let users hand-off calls from their iPhone to a Mac seamlessly. Further, macOS Ventura comes with the Continuity Camera feature to allow you to use your iPhone as a webcam with your MacBook to get an enhanced video conferencing experience. The Continuity Camera feature works with Apple’s existing Centre Stage and Portrait Mode. The feature also works with apps including FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx. Moreover, users will be able to get Belkin stands to attach their iPhone with a MacBook to use Continuity Camera.

The new macOS release also includes the Clock app as well as new Memoji customisations. It also brings Shared Photo Library that is also available on iOS 16. Further, the operating system has the ability to lift subject from background in visuals.

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Apple WWDC 2022 Keynote Announcements: Live Updates From Cupertino

Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, or WWDC as it is also known, will kick off today in a keynote address at 10am PT (10:30pm IST). The developer-focussed keynote traditionally reveals upcoming software from the Cupertino-based electronics giant, and this year, we can expect the latest versions of its mobile, tablet, PC, smartwatch, and TV box operating systems, specifically, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16. Other reveals anticipated from the developer conference include new and improved native apps, while some rumours indicate Apple may unveil new Mac devices at the keynote, in the form of the new MacBook Air. Stay tuned for live updates from the keynote address, right here, and in the meanwhile, you can catch yourself up on the latest rumours about the upcoming announcements.

New software, hardware

As we mentioned, Apple traditionally uses WWDC as the stage to unveil the latest versions of its operating systems, and this year, we should get to see previews of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16 before their beta and general public releases later in 2022. 

iOS 16 is expected to bring improvements to such features and apps as notifications, lock screen, Camera, Messages, and Health apps, apart from a new audio experiences, redesigned app icons, interactive widgets, upgraded theme options, and a floating app window. iPadOS 16 on the other hand is anticipated to offer improved multitasking, almost on part with macOS.

As for the company’s operating system for desktop and laptop PCs, macOS 13 – rumoured to be codenamed Mammoth – is said to bring incremental changes including design overhauls for native apps. watchOS 9 is anticipated to bring updates to areas related to health tracking, an improved atrial fibrillation feature, other day-to-day activities, as well as navigation.

Finally, while not much has been rumoured about tvOS 16, it may be that Apple chooses to unveil homeOS as a dedicated smart home operating system at WWDC22. We also mentioned that there is a chance Apple unveils new Mac devices at the event, and the latest rumours indicate the company will launch the MacBook Air 2022 in a 14-inch display size, and less likely, it may also unveil the anticipated 13-inch MacBook Pro, both powered by Apple’s new M2 SoC.

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