Some people simply can’t stop using stupid, weak passwords. An analysis of the phrases used to secure various accounts in 2024 finds that “123456” was used 3 million times, making it the most popular. And the rest of the top 10 are all easily guessed also, with “password” showing up in the No. 4 slot.
It’s World Password Day, a good opportunity to change the horribly weak ones you’re using now. Especially as Apple makes it easy
Apple promises it isn’t spying on Mac users to find out which applications they are using. The company was forced to make this clear after a server glitch caused users to realize that Gatekeeper in macOS sends a message to Apple whenever they open an application.
There is some data that can’t be kept safe enough. Personal finances, professional project files, digital family pictures — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sensitive files.
How best to stash all that safely? Cloud storage is easy, but it’s not exactly 100% reliable. SSDs are great, but if they fall into the wrong hands, your data is as good as gone. However, this SSD packs PIN protection so only you can access your data.
This post on VPNs for Mac is brought to you by VPNOverview.
Many advanced Windows users have been using VPNs for various reasons for years. However, not many people are aware that VPNs can be just as beneficial for Mac owners. There is a misconception that Macs do not get viruses, and that you are completely safe browsing the web if you do it on a Mac. Apple products are better at defending against attack — and are less frequently targeted by malware. But that does not mean VPNs aren’t useful for Apple computers. In fact, VPNs for Mac are just as effective as they are for Windows systems.
Mac users who’ve used the Zoom video conferencing application can now be assured that a serious security flaw has been dealt with. Apple pushed out a patch that removed the vulnerability from every Mac, without users needing to do anything.
Before the fix, the flaw potentially let malicious websites force people into Zoom video calls.
This post is brought to you by TheBestVPN.com.
Think you’ll never fall victim to a cybercrime? Think again.
Recent data shows individuals have a one in 10 chance of becoming a victim of cybercrime each year. In fact, people are 20 times more likely to experience fraud than robbery.
It’s time to start taking your data security seriously by ensuring your smartphone, computer and online accounts are safe from hackers. Luckily, Apple products are pretty secure on their own. However, it never hurts to add an extra layer of protection. Start with these nine ways to strengthen your Apple products.
It’s hard to know if we’re doing enough to protect our online identities and data these days. Got an email password with a dozen alternating numbers, letters and an upside-down question mark but somehow your email still gets hacked? This bundle of seven cybersecurity apps will cover the vulnerabilities in your Mac. And right now the whole shebang is going for just $52 at Cult of Mac Deals.
Apple’s Gatekeeper feature was designed to keep even the most advanced users from accidentally installing malicious software on their computers, but a super-simple exploit lets hackers sneak malware onto your Mac.
The exploit was discovered by Patrick Wardle, director of research at security firm Synack. Wardle found that the exploit is made possible thanks to a key design shortcoming in Gatekeeper that lets an attacker use a binary file already trusted by Apple to execute malicious files.
Here’s how it works:
Just a week after Apple patch several OS X vulnerabilities, a security researcher has already discovered two new exploits that could allow an attacker to remotely gain access to your Mac.
Apple has touted the Mac’s resistance to viruses for decades as a selling point over Windows PCs, but a team of researchers have created a new firmware worm for Mac that might just make you want to go back to doing work on good old pencil and paper.
Two white-hat hackers discovered that several vulnerabilities affecting PC makers can also bypass Apple’s renowned security to wreak havoc on Mac firmware. The two created a proof-of-concept of the worm called Thunderstrike 2 that allows firmware attacks to be spread automatically from Mac to Mac. Devices don’t even need to be networked for the worm to spread, and once it’s infected your machine the only way to remove it is to open up your Mac and manually reflash the chip.
Here’s a preview of Thunderstrike 2 in action:
Older Apple computers may be susceptible to a new zero-day vulnerability discovered by a security researcher, who found the flaw can be used to install rootkit malware that’s nearly undetectable and very hard to remove.
This post is brought to you by Bitdefender.
Macs are not immune to cyberattack and viruses. Though the threats are real, leading antivirus maker Bitdefender doesn’t use scare tactics to warn people about malware targeting Macs.
Instead, Bitdefender is running its Hug a Mac campaign this month. You could win a MacBook Air in this fun competition simply by uploading a selfie of you and your Mac, then tagging it #hugamac to enter the draw. Full details can be found on Bitdefender’s Hug a Mac campaign webpage.
We all—or should—password protect our Macs. Start up, login. Come out of sleep, login. Deactivate the screensaver, login (though technically that’s just unlocking). What about “fire up Chrome” or “start up Evernote”? We don’t usually think about entering a password to do those tasks. Maybe we should.
Mac App Blocker is, frankly, a new one on my. It’s an app that lets you set application passwords. Launch Mail, enter a password. Chrome…Evernote…Word… you get the idea. Interesting, huh?