OS X Security: Various Developments

2015-03-22 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: Apple, Apple macOS, Java, security

Various recent security developments.

What to do in general

• Surveillance Self-Defense | Tips, Tools and How-tos for Safer Online Communications
• Electronic Frontier Foundation

Apple security fixes

Apple has issued several security updates recently. Keep your Mac up to date with security updates.

Crapware for Macs via Java

For some of my programming needs (server side code and other stuff), I use the Java programming language*.

So it’s disturbing that Oracle now has started bundling crapware with the java SDK. MPG considers the way Oracle is doing this to be unethical. Apparently this was done for years with PCs, but now is doing it with Macs. Beware!!!

Oracle adds crapware to Java for Macs
A close look at how Oracle installs deceptive software with Java updates

As noted previously, do not install any software or add-ons or “free” stuff unless you absolutely positively require it and know exactly what it’s good for.

* Don’t be confused by bad name choice: the Java programming language is NOT related to javascript (used by vast numbers of web sites including this one on web pages). Java in the web browser = BAD (disable it). Javascript = necessary.

Safari browsing history

Don’t assume claimed privacy features actually work.

Years-old Safari private browsing bug saves URL of every page visited, remains unfixed