Apple has released the third Release Candidate (RC) for macOS Big Sur 11.2 for developers and public beta testers.
The Mac – or “Macintosh” if we’re going back to 1984 – is the first computer to effectively market a graphical computer to the masses, all delivered by Apple (or, at the time, Apple Computer).
The Mac has gone through several stages of evolution and iteration since 1984, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, Performa, Power Mac (including the G4 Cube!), iBook, and more. It remains one of the most popular computers you’ll see in business, schools, and homes today.
Password Manager Bitwarden Adds Touch ID to Browser Extension
Password manager Bitwarden announced the addition of a couple of new features. One feature adds support for Touch ID and Windows Hello to its browser extensions.
Browser extensions will now be able to access this authentication inside the Desktop application. This allows a more streamlined integration with hardware that does not require a unique browser-level integration. Biometric authentication requires macOS users to download the Mac App Store version.
Buffer Overflow Bug Found in SUDO Dubbed ‘Baron Samedit’
Tracked as CVE-2021-3156, a heap overflow bug found in sudo and dubbed “Baron Samedit” has been found recently. It allows an unprivileged user to gain root privileges on a vulnerable machine using a default sudo configuration.
The vulnerability itself has been hiding in plain sight for nearly 10 years. It was introduced in July 2011 (commit 8255ed69) and affects all legacy versions from 1.8.2 to 1.8.31p2 and all stable versions from 1.9.0 to 1.9.5p1 in their default configuration.
2020-02-03: Looks like macOS is affected after all.
Apple Releases macOS Big Sur 11.2 Release Candidate
Apple has released the macOS Big Sur 11.2 release candidate for developers. This follows the other final beta versions of its other operating systems.
MindNode Update Adds Editable Outlines
MindNode updated its mind mapping app recently with a feature many users have wanted. Along with editing maps, outlines can also be edited. Nodes can be added, removed, indented/outdented, and reorganized directly. Other features include: Improved color pickers in the Inspector; Improved support for files from other apps that use Markdown; Fixed an issue where the Inspector would close when the icon of the open section was clicked. The update is currently available for the Mac app, but updates to MindNode for iOS/iPadOS are sure to follow.
Twelve South’s New ParcSlope Stand Works for Mac and iPad
Twelve South introduced a new stand called ParcSlope that works with MacBooks and iPads. It‘s available to purchase for US$59.99.
Media Player ‘VLC’ Adds Support for M1 Macs
Open source media player VLC has added support for M1 Macs in its latest update, version 3.0.12.1. You can find the download here.
macOS: * 3.0.12.1 is the first release for Apple Silicon macs
* Version bump to allow an automatic upgrade path
Microsoft Edge Beta Now Supports Apple M1 Macs
Apple users with an M1 Mac who are interested in running beta versions of Microsoft Edge can now do so thanks to recent support.
Rumor: Apple Prepares MacBook Pros With MagSafe, Flat Design
A report on Friday claims that Apple is working on upgraded MacBooks for later in 2021 with the addition of MagSafe and removal of Touch Bar.
Rumor: Apple Plans iMac Redesign for 2021
A report on Friday suggests that Apple may be planning to redesign its iMac desktop computer. This would be the first major change since 2012.
Apple Apps No Longer Bypass macOS Big Sur Firewalls
In macOS Big Sur, Apple deprecated third-party kernel extensions including Network Kernel Extensions (NKEs). NKEs are used by apps like firewalls to monitor network traffic. Apple’s new user-mode Network Extension Framework had a side-effect: Apple’s own apps wouldn’t be routed through it and thus could bypass third-party firewalls. But now that has changed.
I of course also wondered if malware could abuse these “excluded” items to generate network traffic that could surreptitiously bypass any socket filter firewall. Unfortunately the answer was yes! It was (unsurprisingly) trivial to find a way to abuse these items, and generate undetected network traffic.
Apple Releases macOS Big Sur 11.2 Developer Beta 2
Like the iOS 14.4 developer beta, macOS betas can be downloaded from Apple’s developer page. Release notes haven’t been published.
Mozilla VPN Arrives on macOS and Linux
After rolling out on platforms like Windows, Android, and iOS, the Mozilla VPN arrives on macOS and Linux for US$5/month.
The Mozilla VPN isn’t the cheapest option on the market. However, Mozilla has said that, because it uses fewer lines of code than other VPNs, the service is faster than many rival ones. You can connect to more than 280 servers in more than 30 countries via the VPN without any bandwidth restrictions.
I think US$5/mo is definitely one of the cheapest VPNs on the market.
‘ElectroRAT’ is the First Mac Malware Spotted in 2021
We’re barely a week into 2021 and a piece of Mac malware has already been spotted. Dubbed “ElectroRAT” its primary goal is to steal personal information from cryptocurrency users.
These [malicous] applications were promoted in cryptocurrency and blockchain-related forums such as bitcointalk and SteemCoinPan. The promotional posts, published by fake users, tempted readers to browse the applications’ web pages, where they could download the application without knowing they were actually installing malware.
iOS: How to Forward Text Messages to Apple Devices
In part two of managing communications with multiple Apple devices, Andrew shows you how to forward text messages to other devices.
iOS: How to Transfer Calls on Your Apple Devices
If you have multiple Apple devices you can transfer calls and answer them on your iPad, Mac, and iPod touch.
Tips and Tricks for the macOS Screenshot Utility
Alison Sheridan discovered some tips and tricks for the macOS Screenshot Utility which Apple introduced with macOS Catalina. There are options to change the save location, setting a timer, showing/hiding the floating thumbnail and show pointer, remembering the last selection, and taking screenshots with the keyboard.
Adobe Premiere Pro, Premiere Rush, and Audition Enter Beta for M1 Macs
Beta versions of Adobe software Premiere Pro, Premiere Rush, and Audition are now available for M1 Macs.
File Encryption App ‘Boxcryptor’ Announces macOS Big Sur Support
File encryption app Boxcryptor has been updated to support macOS Big Sur and M1 Macs to keep your documents safe in the cloud.
Total War: WARHAMMER II The Twisted and The Twilight Out for macOS
Feral Interactive announced on Thursday that The Twisted & The Twilight, the new Lords Pack for Total War: WARHAMMER II, is now available for Mac.