Operating Systems

Mac OS Topic Center

Find out all you need to know about Mac OS X, including news, reviews, tips, in-depth analysis and opinions on Snow Leopard

Mozilla readies Firefox for Mountain Lion's Gatekeeper

Mozilla is scrambling to craft a code-signed version of Firefox for the Mac in case Apple launches OS X 10.8, or Mountain Lion, early.
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Mac-based Flashback click fraud campaign was a bust

The hackers in charge of the Flashback botnet managed to generate $14,000 from their click fraud campaign, but have not been paid, Symantec said today.

Mac clone maker Psystar saga ends as Supreme Court denies appeal

The four-year-old saga of Psystar, a Florida Mac clone maker that was crushed by Apple, ended Monday when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear its appeal of a lower court decision.

Apple ships first Leopard security update in nearly a year

Apple on Monday issued its first security-related update for OS X 10.5, or Leopard, in nearly a year, to disable long-outdated versions of Adobe's Flash Player.

Adobe's security chief praises Apple for Flash-crippling move

Adobe's head of security is applauding Apple's move to block outdated versions of his company's Flash Player.

Apple patches 36 bugs in OS X, fixes encryption password goof

Apple on Wednesday patched 36 vulnerabilities in Mac OS X, most of them critical, plugging a hole that revealed passwords used to encrypt folders with an older version of FileVault.

Apple patches Safari, blocks outdated Flash Player

Apple on Wednesday patched four security vulnerabilities in Safari and blocked outdated versions of Adobe's Flash Player from running in its browser.

Is Apple's OS X Mountain Lion on early-release track?

Apple may release OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion earlier than expected, according to a report by a popular blog and clues found within the release dates of the three developer previews of the new operating system.

Microsoft pitches SkyDrive over iCloud to Mac Office users

Microsoft is pitching its SkyDrive online storage service to Office for Mac users, calling Apple's iCloud offering "not enough" for collaboration, file sharing and anywhere-access to documents.

Half of all Macs will lack access to security updates by summer

Unless Apple changes its security update practice, nearly half of all Mac users will be adrift without patches sometime this summer.

Continuing coverage: Apple's iPad tablets

Apple has launched the next generation of its tablet computer, the iPad 2. Computerworld has it covered.

Complete Coverage: Desktop virtualization

Computerworld's complete coverage of desktop virtualization

Lessons for IT, Apple in Flashback brouhaha

Although the number of Flashback-infected Macs is on the decline, the reverberations from the outbreak will affect Apple and the businesses that have increasingly adopted Macs. Columnist Ryan Faas explains.

Why Switching OS Platforms Is Not a Security Fix

It has been a rallying cry against Microsoft Windows for years: to avoid malware and security issues, just stop using Windows. The mantra has traditionally been embraced by both Mac and Linux users, but as Mac OS X users deal with the fallout from the Flashback malware attack, some Linux supporters are turning the tired attack even against the Apple OS.

Apple Flashback Malware Removal Includes Innovative Approach to Reducing Risk for Macs

Better late than never? Apple has released the third Java update in a week for Mac OS X, and this one contains the tool to remove the Flashback malware from infected systems. Beneath the belated fix to help users eradicate the threat, Apple has introduced a proactive approach to reducing security risk that other vendors should take note of.

Mac Malware Outbreak Is Bigger than 'Conficker'

An estimated 600,000 or more Macs are currently compromised and part of a massive botnet thanks to the Flashback Trojan. To put the size of the threat in some perspective, the Flashback Trojan botnet is even bigger than the massive Conficker botnet...relatively speaking.

What I want in OS X

Things I'd like to see in upcoming editions of OS X:

Upgrades: Are Computers Just Big Smartphones?

Both Windows 8 and the latest Mac OS X bring designs and features from smartphones and tablets to desktops and laptops.

Image: How to create a vSphere lab on a Mac

You don't need expensive gear to learn about virtualization. Here's how to build your own lab using MacOS and VMware's vSphere.

Microsoft, Apple Set to Rejoin OS Battle

This year is shaping up to be a repeat of 2009, when Microsoft and Apple last faced off with rival operating system upgrades.