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.
· John F. Braun & Dave Hamilton · Mac Geek Gab Podcast
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the comfort of old traditions, and this week’s Mac Geek Gab has three of them for you: Quick Tips, Cool Stuff Found, and your questions answered. Press play and enjoy learning five new things as John and Dave, your two favorite geeks, steward us all through this week’s episode.
Dr. Mac says, “since my first obligation is to you, gentle reader, I ignored my own advice and installed macOS Big Sur on my primary Mac a couple of days ago.” And he lived to tell the tale!
· John F. Braun & Dave Hamilton · Mac Geek Gab Podcast
Dave’s had his M1 MacBook Air for a week, and John has some questions for him! Lots more about Big Sur including your questions answered *and* some Quick Tips. Of course, MGG wouldn’t be complete without more in-depth tips, too, and y’all have been keeping the queue full in that department! Press play and enjoy learning at least five new things.
Jeff Gamet is back with Bryan Chaffin to talk about his hands-on experience with Apple’s new HomePod mini. How it sounds, how it compares with HomePod, and how it compares with Amazon’s Alexa Echo and Echo Dot. They also run over their hands-on time with macOS Big Sur.
Apple has released the first developer beta of macOS Big Sur 11.1, AppleInsider reported. Those enrolled in the test program can download it via the Apple Developer Center. There is an over-the-air update for devices already running beta software.
The beta is the first since Apple released macOS Big Sur to the public on November 12, in the form of macOS 11.0.1. More than ten beta builds were released in the time between Big Sur’s announcement and its eventual release, and roughly two months after Apple issued public versions of other operating systems including iOS 14. It is so far too early to determine what Apple has changed in the first beta, but it is likely to include some trial fixes for a range of launch issues.
1Password version 7.7 introduces support for macOS Big Sur and features like Apple Watch Unlock.
One of our most highly requested features, Apple Watch can now unlock 1Password on any Mac with a Secure Enclave. If you’re using macOS 10.15 or later and using the latest devices, you’ll now see an option in 1Password preferences to turn on Unlock with Apple Watch alongside the Touch ID option.
Briefly shown off during Apple’s M1 Mac event, Synium Software announced the immediate availability of MacFamilyTree for macOS Big Sur and Apple’s just announced Macs with M1 chip. MacFamilyTree is a modern and sophisticated genealogy application for macOS and an easy way of recording cornerstones in your family history. Get an overview of where you hail from and maybe enthuse your relatives about exploring your family’s past at your upcoming family reunion.
Synium Software announces the immediate availability of MacFamilyTree for macOS Big Sur and Apple’s just announced Macs with M1 chip. MacFamilyTree is a modern and sophisticated genealogy application for macOS and an easy way of recording cornerstones in your family history. Get an overview of where you hail from and maybe enthuse your relatives about exploring your family’s past at your upcoming family reunion.
· Dave Hamilton & John F. Braun · Cool Stuff Found
Larry O’Connor from Other World Computing joined us on Mac Geek Gab this week to share some news: macOS Big Sur makes Thunderbolt hubbing possible not just on the new M1-based Macs, but also on any Mac with Thunderbolt 3. Larry also explains the differences between Thunderbolt 3 and 4, and why, as Mac users, it doesn’t really matter for us. Watch the relevant segment in this clip and then go see the rest of Mac Geek Gab 844.
