The latest update for Mac OS X has been released by Apple. The update numbered 10.8.3 is intriguing for software developers because it finally brings some security updates and also some Windows 8 support in Boot Camp as well as for hard drives which are larger than 3TB. This of course is beneficial largely to those who use multiple OSes on their Macbooks.
Security is of course a major concern, no matter how safe the OS X is compared to other systems, the fact remains that malware developers and professional hackers are getting expert at their craft and Apple’s security won’t stay impenetrable forever, something we are already seeing with the Java related Apple blunder. And it is more than possible that there are many more areas open to attack and hence the latest update.
To combat that, it seems that Safari web browser is also getting a boost up. The Safari web browser 6.0.3 now has improvements regarding Facebook scrolling, zooming in, and website performance improvements for those that use plug-ins. And perhaps keeping user ease in mind, there have also been some improvements in compatibility for Active Directory and IMAP within the Notes application.
The best part about the update is that it fixes 21 vulnerabilities that were plaguing the system and works to ensure that they are not targeted. 11 of them were thought to be usable for remote access execution. There is already enough problems plaguing users and the last one they need now is some form of spy software for Mac going viral thanks to an overlooked security flaw. So the timings for the vulnerability fixes are appropriate, and
Apple already put up an update last month only that was to patch up 30 Java related flaws which were traced back to the Java 6 version the company works with. This particular update came in a bit of a flurry and as a result of a zero day security attack by malware that was targeting Mac OS X systems at Apple and other enterprises. The situation was embarrassing to say in the least. The focus on Java has died down a bit in this new update but it still gets some tweaking regardless. Apple is warning users that the flaw (if not dealt with) could still give space to a malicious website to launch a Java web Start app even after the Java Plug in is disabled. Ouch. Means someone got Apple bad. And that problems remains to be solved.
But the updates are getting some criticism too. Reportedly, the security updates in this 10.8.3 patch are not up to par with the firms separate security updates. One of the point of comparisons then becomes the latest Java update from early March, as pointed out by the security firm Sophos. According to them, Apple needs to really get some organizational structure implemented in their update releases. It would be a lot easier for fans to get the updates when they are published at the same time as the live security notifications.
Author Bio:
Natalia David is a tech writer and loves to blog about latest security fixes, especially those involving her unabashedly favorite company, Apple. She also writes about spy software such as spy software for Mac. She can be reached @NataliaDavid4.