Since the launch of Snow Leopard in late August, many Mac OS X users have reported that their data was wiped through Apple’s support forums. When they logged into the guest account on Mac, and then logged into their regular account, their accounts got completely reset.
To fix the vulnerability in the operating system, the company released Mac OS X v.10.6.2, an update for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard on Monday.
Security updates plug several dozen holes
Apple addressed a number of vulnerabilities, including the problem that had been leading to permanent data loss in the regular accounts, following a guest account login.
Along with Mac OS X v.10.6.2, the company also released the 2009-006 update, which addressed 43 specific issues. It fixed problem in Mac OS X v10.5.8, 10.6, 10.6.1, and Mac OS X Server v10.6 and 10.6.1.
Several updates plugged holes in different components of the operating system, including Quicktime, AFP Client, Adaptive Firewall, Apache, OpenLDAP, and OpenSSH among others.
Most of the vulnerabilities fixed were accompanied with the phrase, “may lead to arbitrary code execution”, meaning that if they were not fixed, it could modify into something dangerous and used by hackers to attack the operating system.
The Monday’s security update was the sixth for Apple and the second for Snow Leopard this year.
Users can download the security updates from Apple’s site or update through software update in Mac OS X. The patch is 157.7MB in size.
Users’ reactions
The latest security updates have stirred up more than a few of Apple’s operating system users who are discussing it out on forums, blogs etc. Majority of the users have welcomed the latest move by Apple.
A user named Gold_Storm_Mac posted his view on cnet news saying, “installed 10.6.2 can log in guest account in peace. glad to see apple being proactive.”
Another user named Lancashire-Witch commented on macobserver.com, “It’s great to have all these problems solved -but the bug that gets Dates in Contacts (eg Birthday) wrong when syncing between Computer, iPhone & MobileMe, if you are located in Time Zone UTC+12…..... is still there, and has been for as long as I can remember. It makes MobileMe virtually useless for syncing Contacts with any “date” data.”
“I’m still pissed off that it’s no longer possible from Software Update to simply download an update of this size. There’s no way I’m going to get two copies of 500Mb, when I could just get it once on my main machine, transport it to my laptop and install it twice,” stated Laurie Fleming on the same forum.
I can sound just as naieve as you.
The reason virus software exists for PCs is because users are generally naieve. They fall for virus pop up ads. They hear about viruses and do whatever they are told by the nifty looking box on the shelf at their local store.
It's not because PC viruses exist. To be fair, they COULD exist and doubtless will one day, and virus software can potentially fix it preemptively.
But honestly, System Restore is your best weapon against viruses. Daily backups. Just revert to yesterday's backup and you're golden.
I can sound just as naieve as you.
Virus software
The reason virus software exists for macs is because users are generally naieve. They fall for virus pop up ads. They hear about viruses and do whatever they are told by the nifty looking box on the shelf at the Apple store.
It's not because mac viruses exist. To be fair, they COULD exist and doubtless will one day, and virus software can potentially fix it preemptively.
But honestly, Time Machine is your best weapon against viruses. Daily backups. Just revert to yesterday's backup and you're golden.
The whole faster thing would
The whole faster thing would make sense, except the fact that Apple uses the same hardware as PC's i.e: motherboard, RAM, CPU, and Hard Drives.
Apple having less security problems then Microsoft...Really?Microsoft dominates the PC field. Yes there are more viruses and spyware for Windows based computers because.....you guessed it – there are more Windows based PC’s then OSX systems. It would make sense that there would be more security problems, and every day Microsoft addresses them with Windows security updates. As long as their are hackers and code monkey’s that make viruses, there will always be security problems no matter how tight an OS is, Microsoft or OSX. Here’s some food for thought – if Apple makes such a tight OS then why are their Anti Virus programs made for it? I guarantee you that if the technology world evolved differently then it has, and Apple was the dominating OS, Microsoft would be exactly where Apple is now, and Apple would be plagued with all the problems.
Don’t believe me? Wait for the day when Apple meets or excides the level of Windows based computers.
MACS are faster
and Windows XP/Vista/7 RUNS FASTER on macs....truefax!
except in all the games you
except in all the games you can't play on mac, lol
I'm a Mac (who's kinda like Windows)...
Been using a Mac at home for a couple of years now. Used Windows for 20-some years (back to the days of DOS). Still use Windows at work. Both are fine for most of what I do. And when I 'NEED" Windows at home, I use Parallels, which works well.
While I don't have any particular beef with Mac about security (I realize OS's are complex stuff)... I do think they would be wise to stop comparing themselves to Windows. Otherwise, people might start doing just that!
Glad they are handling things in a timely manner (as MS has learned to do pretty well).
At Least
At least, Macs have fewer security problems than PCs. Also, Apple makes a better effort at fixing security and upgrading software than does Microsoft. Not to mention, that Microsoft customer support is sorry.
Yea, that's why any mac
Yea, that's why any mac cd/dvd that you have will allow anyone to change root password, or anyone's for that matter.
Yea, real secure.
I've been a Microsoft user
I've been a Microsoft user for as long as I can remember. Just bought a MacBook Pro to see what all the hype was about.....and yeah, I'm still waiting.
As bad as The Mac cult makes Microsoft out to be, I dont ever remember hearing about a version of Windows that destroyed your data because a guest had signed in. This would make for a great "Im a Mac, and I'm a PC" commercial. Snow Leopard is the new Vista kids.
Many users.
What you call "many users" should actually read "on very rare occasions".
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