Technical Tidbits™

Posts Tagged ‘MacWorld’

I know I give Apple users a hard time about their security, but don’t think I don’t secretly harbor a desire for one of my own! (I do!)

MacWorld’s been underway and the news coming out just keeps getting better and better!

Yesterday, Steve Jobs announced that he is ill with a “hormone imbalance” and will be staying on the job.  (Source:  Steve Jobs Sick but Stays on as Apple CEO)  Jobs is a survivor of pancreatic cancer – which is miraculous in itself! So, we extend to you our best wishes, intentions, and prayers for recovery Steve!

Today, we get the word that iTunes Store has gone DRM free as of March! WOOT! WOOT!

For those of you who do not understand the DRM acronym, it stands for Digital Rights Management and has been a thorn in our side since companies like Apple and Microsoft decided to control our digital rights for us by not allowing us to move anything we paid for – lest we be pirating something.

Kudo’s to iTunes and Apple!

You know, I believe in Karma or “what goes around comes around.” And I’m of the belief that if you set out to steal from someone else, someone will do the same to you.  And yes, I’ve shared stuff I shouldn’t have – I think we all have. But since my “enlightenment” if you will, I’ve been paying for everything and I highly resented the block on stuff I paid for.  So, guess where I’m going to be buying more of my music? iTunes Store!

To see the rest of the iTunes store announcements, plus the new pricing structure, visit:  ITunes Store goes DRM-Free

What was I just saying in my most recent blog, “Apple Mac Arrogance or Pure Stupidity?“??

Hmmm, maybe I’m psychic? Or maybe I just know security! Ya think?

In a just published article on InfoWorld and MacWorld, Johnny Evans (MacWorld UK) reports that security vendors, SecureMac and Intego are separately reporting a new Trojan exploit for the Mac.

The Trojan horse is currently being distributed from a hacker website, where discussion has taken place on distributing the Trojan horse through iChat and Limewire.

The Trojan horse runs hidden on the system, and allows a malicious user complete remote access to the system, can reportedly transmit system and user passwords, and can avoid detection by opening ports in the firewall and turning off system logging.

Additionally, the AppleScript.THT Trojan horse can log keystrokes, take pictures with the built-in Apple iSight camera, take screenshots, and turn on file sharing. The Trojan horse exploits a recently discovered vulnerability with the Apple Remote Desktop Agent, which allows it to run as root.

My students have heard me preach and preach about the whole Limewire issue (not to mention bearshare and the others!) and I’ve stated in my referenced blog entry that Mac users are either arrogant or stupid if they believe they are exempt from these kinds of malware.

My God people, WAKE UP and smell the MALWARE!

To read the full InfoWorld Article, click the link: Full InfoWorld Article.