Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac

[Michael Hawkins]

Hi Ronni,

Does this apply to iPhones on ios8, too?

Thank you, 

Michael

Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Sep 2015, at 8:40 am, FW  wrote:
> 
> Yes Ronni, I certainly will. It’s already archived.
> Thanks.
> 
> Cheers.
> Walter
> 
> *
>> On 27 Sep 2015, at 17:37 , Ronda Brown  wrote:
>> 
>> Well... No... It's not really anti-virus software.
>> But I do not recommend and have never recommended that Malwarebytes 
>> Anti-Malware software be installed on current OS X systems.
>> 
>> Please read thoroughly all the documentation I posted in my last reply to 
>> the list.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Ronni
>> Sent from Ronni's iPad4
>> 
>> 
>>> On 27 Sep 2015, at 4:46 pm, FW  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not really anti-virus software, is it Ronni ?
>>> 
>>> Cheers
>>> Walter
>>> 
>>> ***
>>> 
 Begin forwarded message:
 
 From: Ronni Brown 
 Subject: Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac
 Date: 27 September 2015 13:18:50 GMT+8
 To: WAMUG 
 Reply-To: wamug@wamug.org.au
 
 
> On 27 Sep 2015, at 11:58 am, Graham Rabe  wrote:
> 
> A week or two ago Peter Marks on ABC Breakfast with Fran Kelly advised 
> against installing any Apple virus protection software given that recent 
> security upgrades have made them largely redundant and they seem to cause 
> more problems than they claim to fix.  
> 
> Graham
> 
> Sent from my iPad
 
 I agree! In my previous reply I only supplied the information about 
 Malwarebytes anti-malware for Mac.
 
 Peter, Daniel & I have posted numerous times re: Do Macs need Anti-Virus 
 programs.
 The short answer is NO.
 
 Below I quote from Linc Davis - Level 10 Apple Support Communities
 
 /Begin Quote from Linc Davis:
 Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The 
 answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give 
 the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called 
 "viruses." There  is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
 
 1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect 
 yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the 
 Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of tYes 
 Ronni, I certainly will. It’s already archived.
> Thanks.
> 
> Cheers.
> Walter
> 
> *
>> On 27 Sep 2015, at 17:37 , Ronda Brown  wrote:
>> 
>> Well... No... It's not really anti-virus software.
>> But I do not recommend and have never recommended that Malwarebytes 
>> Anti-Malware software be installed on current OS X systems.
>> 
>> Please read thoroughly all the documentation I posted in my last reply to 
>> the list.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Ronni
>> Sent from Ronni's iPad4
>> 
>> 
>>> On 27 Sep 2015, at 4:46 pm, FW  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not really anti-virus software, is it Ronni ?
>>> 
>>> Cheers
>>> Walter
>>> 
>>> ***
>>> 
 Begin forwarded message:
 
 From: Ronni Brown 
 Subject: Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac
 Date: 27 September 2015 13:18:50 GMT+8
 To: WAMUG 
 Reply-To: wamug@wamug.org.au
 
 
> On 27 Sep 2015, at 11:58 am, Graham Rabe  wrote:
> 
> A week or two ago Peter Marks on ABC Breakfast with Fran Kelly advised 
> against installing any Apple virus protection software given that recent 
> security upgrades have made them largely redundant and they seem to cause 
> more problems than they claim to fix.  
> 
> Graham
> 
> Sent from my iPad
 
 I agree! In my previous reply I only supplied the information about 
 Malwarebytes anti-malware for Mac.
 
 Peter, Daniel & I have posted numerous times re: Do Macs need Anti-Virus 
 programs.
 The short answer is NO.
 
 Below I quote from Linc Davis - Level 10 Apple Support Communities
 
 /Begin Quote from Linc Davis:
 Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The 
 answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give 
 the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called 
 "viruses." There  is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
 
 1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect 
 yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the 
 Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the 
 

Re: Virus checker

[Peter Hinchliffe]

> On 26 Sep 2015, at 6:52 am, Michael Hawkins 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I'm checking emails by using iPhone and latest version of ios8. Have received 
> an email supposedly from a person in my contact list, but obviously not from 
> him. He has run a scan on his computer but found nothing amiss. Is there a 
> program I can use to check my iPhone and my MacBook to see if they are 
> affected? Westnet is my ISP, Telstra my phone service.
> 
> Haven't checked emails on MacBook yet, nor have I checked webmail (deleting 
> from one device doesn't prevent email being received on the other).
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Michael Hawkins

The email has probably come from a third party, who just happens to have both 
of your details in their contact list through one means or another. This is not 
to say even that this third party is acting maliciously, but they are probably 
the ones who have the malware. Given the nature of the way this stuff works 
these days, that third party needn’t even be someone either of you know.

The one thing you CAN be sure of is that the problem dies not exist on either 
your iPhone or your MacBook. While there is a small amount of malware now 
creeping into Mac OS X, none of it has been characterised with this behaviour, 
which is clearly come from a virus infection on the third party’s computer. 
There are no viruses yet reported on either Mac OS X or iOS (malware yes; 
viruses no). There are plenty of companies out there who will happily take you 
money on the promise to do what you describe, but you’d be just wasting it.


Peter HinchliffeApwin Computer Services
FileMaker Pro Solutions Developer
Perth, Western Australia
Phone (618) 9332 6482Mob 0403 046 948

Mac because I prefer it -- Windows because I have to.

-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Virus checker

[Peter Hinchliffe]

> On 28 Sep 2015, at 9:51 am, Michael Hawkins 
>  wrote:
> 
> Thank you Peter,
> 
> As a reflex reaction I automatically immediately delete any that has the 
> letters php in it. I don't know why, but it feels safer to do so.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Michael Hawkins
> 
> 

Well, if it feels good…

php is simply a scripting technology which sites behind pretty much every 
website you see these days. It’s a good idea to be cautious of any link or 
download that you’re not sure of in an email, but there’s nothing inherently 
dangerous about php. The three letters you DO need to be cautious of are exe, 
which denotes a Windows-executable file. If you see this at the end of any file 
name, the file they belong to with will almost always contain a (Windows-based) 
virus. Although they cannot themselves do anything in Mac OS X, it can cause 
problems for a Windows-based recipient of you forward such an email to them. 

Peter HinchliffeApwin Computer Services
FileMaker Pro Solutions Developer
Perth, Western Australia
Phone (618) 9332 6482Mob 0403 046 948

Mac because I prefer it -- Windows because I have to.

-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac

[Ronni Brown]

Hi Michael,

Yes, similar precautions to keep your iPhone & iPad secure and safe.

Always use 'Two-Factor authentication on accounts where possible.
Two-factor authentication can keep your account secure even if someone has your 
password. 
And since it’s built right in to iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan, it’s easy to use. 


Make sure you keep your iPhone up to date with the latest updates. It may be 
necessary to install an iOS update to ensure that there was no chance of 
someone snooping on your activity.

Additionally, never jailbreak your phone because – quite simply – it undoes all 
the good work Apple has done in securing iOS.

Never use pirated software (or software that promises to install pirated iOS 
apps), and keep iOS updated too, so that you keep ahead of the jailbreaking 
exploits that are used by hackers to infect devices.

Apple also approves every third-party application that appears on the iPhone 
and iPad. As Apple explains: "Unlike other mobile platforms, iOS does not allow 
users to install potentially malicious unsigned apps from websites, or run 
untrusted code. At runtime, code signature checks of all executable memory 
pages are made as they are loaded to ensure that an app has not been modified 
since it was installed or last updated."

Another level of protection comes from the device passcode - which means that 
an attacker with access to your device cannot get access to your data.

You don't need anti-virus software for the iPad and iPhone - not that there is 
any anti-virus software available for the device. iOS is designed and built to 
only accept and install software that has been approved by Apple and run 
through the App Store. 

As such Apple has pretty much guaranteed that you won't encounter any malicious 
software on your iOS device. Similarly security companies complain that Apple 
will not approve any security focused software for the iPad or iPhone, 
presumably Apple doesn't want to give the impression that such software is 
necessary.

Having said that there are a variety of security-themed apps on the App Store. 
Security specialist Symantec has a number of apps such as Symantec Mobile 
Encryption and Symantec Secure Email. These are typically designed to integrate 
the iPad with an enterprise environment, allowing iOS devices to communicate 
securely with enterprise servers.

But for the home user, the iPad (and iPhone) is one of the safest computing 
experiences you can imagine. It's combination of locked down hardware and 
software make it more secure out of the box than a Mac or PC with security 
software installed.

What security do I need for iPad and iPhone Safari web browsing?

The Safari web browser in iOS 7 / iOS 8 & iOS 9 is also protected against 
malicious software, although you can encounter malicious websites and you are 
vulnerable to so-called "Phishing" scams (where nefarious people send you 
emails requesting you to enter account and password details.

Safari iOS 7 / 8 & 9 has a "Fraud Warning" service built into it. This is 
activated by default, but it doesn't hurt to go to Settings > Safari and 
double-check that Fraudulent Website Warning is set to ON

Are there any iPad/iPhone security risks at all?

The biggest risks with an iPad and iPhone aren't remote attacks, but up close 
and personal theft. Somebody either stealing your device or using it when your 
back is turned.

To protect somebody from accessing your iPad or iPhone without your knowledge 
be sure to set either a passcode or password.

1. Open Settings > General and tap Passcode Lock 
2. Click Turn Passcode On
3. Enter a four digit PIN
4. Re-enter the four digit PIN
5. Tap"RequirePasscode"and ensure it is set to"Immediately" 
6. Tap Passcode Lock to get back to the Passcode Lock settings

You can use a password instead of a passcode. This will ensure a higher level 
of security, but you will need to enter the combination of letters and numbers 
to unlock your iPad or iPhone, so most people stick with the passcode.

1. Tap Simple Passcode to Off
2. Enter a password (a combination of numbers and letters)

Enable Find My iPad/iPhone

Find My iPhone is an app and service that you can install to locate an iOS if 
it has gone missing. It also enables you to remotely wipe an iPhone or iPad, or 
send a message to it in the hope of retrieving a lost iPhone or iPad.

1. Click on Settings > Privacy > Location service
2. Tap Find My iPad and click it to On
3. Open the App Store and Find My iPhone. Install the app.

Open the Find My iPhone app on an iPad or iPhone and log in to see where all 
your devices are. 
Note that this service can also be accessed from Apple's iCloud website.

Cheers,
Ronni


> On 28 Sep 2015, at 9:41 am, Michael Hawkins 
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi Ronni,
> 
> Does this apply to iPhones on ios8, too?
> 
> Thank you, 
> 
> Michael
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On 28 Sep 2015, at 8:40 

Re: Virus checker

[Michael Hawkins]

Thank you Peter,

As a reflex reaction I automatically immediately delete any that has the 
letters php in it. I don't know why, but it feels safer to do so.

Cheers,

Michael Hawkins

Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Sep 2015, at 10:41 am, Peter Hinchliffe  
> wrote:
> 
> 
>> On 26 Sep 2015, at 6:52 am, Michael Hawkins 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> Hello,
>> 
>> I'm checking emails by using iPhone and latest version of ios8. Have 
>> received an email supposedly from a person in my contact list, but obviously 
>> not from him. He has run a scan on his computer but found nothing amiss. Is 
>> there a program I can use to check my iPhone and my MacBook to see if they 
>> are affected? Westnet is my ISP, Telstra my phone service.
>> 
>> Haven't checked emails on MacBook yet, nor have I checked webmail (deleting 
>> from one device doesn't prevent email being received on the other).
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Michael Hawkins
> 
> The email has probably come from a third party, who just happens to have both 
> of your details in their contact list through one means or another. This is 
> not to say even that this third party is acting maliciously, but they are 
> probably the ones who have the malware. Given the nature of the way this 
> stuff works these days, that third party needn’t even be someone either of 
> you know.
> 
> The one thing you CAN be sure of is that the problem dies not exist on either 
> your iPhone or your MacBook. While there is a small amount of malware now 
> creeping into Mac OS X, none of it has been characterised with this 
> behaviour, which is clearly come from a virus infection on the third party’s 
> computer. There are no viruses yet reported on either Mac OS X or iOS 
> (malware yes; viruses no). There are plenty of companies out there who will 
> happily take you money on the promise to do what you describe, but you’d be 
> just wasting it.
> 
> 
> Peter HinchliffeApwin Computer Services
> FileMaker Pro Solutions Developer
> Perth, Western Australia
> Phone (618) 9332 6482Mob 0403 046 948
> 
> Mac because I prefer it -- Windows because I have to.
> 
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Virus checker

[Michael Hawkins]

Thank you Peter, I'll make sure any exe exist my phone and laptop!

Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Sep 2015, at 11:25 am, Peter Hinchliffe  
> wrote:
> 
> 
>> On 28 Sep 2015, at 9:51 am, Michael Hawkins 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> Thank you Peter,
>> 
>> As a reflex reaction I automatically immediately delete any that has the 
>> letters php in it. I don't know why, but it feels safer to do so.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> 
>> Michael Hawkins
> 
> Well, if it feels good…
> 
> php is simply a scripting technology which sites behind pretty much every 
> website you see these days. It’s a good idea to be cautious of any link or 
> download that you’re not sure of in an email, but there’s nothing inherently 
> dangerous about php. The three letters you DO need to be cautious of are exe, 
> which denotes a Windows-executable file. If you see this at the end of any 
> file name, the file they belong to with will almost always contain a 
> (Windows-based) virus. Although they cannot themselves do anything in Mac OS 
> X, it can cause problems for a Windows-based recipient of you forward such an 
> email to them. 
> 
> Peter HinchliffeApwin Computer Services
> FileMaker Pro Solutions Developer
> Perth, Western Australia
> Phone (618) 9332 6482Mob 0403 046 948
> 
> Mac because I prefer it -- Windows because I have to.
> 
> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
> Archives - 
> Guidelines - 
> Settings & Unsubscribe - 
> 
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

iPad

[Juliet Kitson]

Hello all
This may seem to silly question but how do I found out if I have A sim card
in my iPad and if so how do I find the number.
Regards Bill
-- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List --
Archives - 
Guidelines - 
Settings & Unsubscribe - 

Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac

[Michael Hawkins]

Hi Ronni,

I'll update as soon as I return to WA but am reluctant to while travelling in 
Japan and Kenya.

Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Sep 2015, at 2:20 pm, Ronni Brown  wrote:
> 
> Hi Michael,
> 
> Yes, similar precautions to keep your iPhone & iPad secure and safe.
> 
> Always use 'Two-Factor authentication on accounts where possible.
> Two-factor authentication can keep your account secure even if someone has 
> your password. 
> And since it’s built right in to iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan, it’s easy to use.
> 
> Make sure you keep your iPhone up to date with the latest updates. It may be 
> necessary to install an iOS update to ensure that there was no chance of 
> someone snooping on your activity.
> 
> Additionally, never jailbreak your phone because – quite simply – it undoes 
> all the good work Apple has done in securing iOS.
> 
> Never use pirated software (or software that promises to install pirated iOS 
> apps), and keep iOS updated too, so that you keep ahead of the jailbreaking 
> exploits that are used by hackers to infect devices.
> 
> Apple also approves every third-party application that appears on the iPhone 
> and iPad. As Apple explains: "Unlike other mobile platforms, iOS does not 
> allow users to install potentially malicious unsigned apps from websites, or 
> run untrusted code. At runtime, code signature checks of all executable 
> memory pages are made as they are loaded to ensure that an app has not been 
> modified since it was installed or last updated."
> 
> Another level of protection comes from the device passcode - which means that 
> an attacker with access to your device cannot get access to your data.
> 
> You don't need anti-virus software for the iPad and iPhone - not that there 
> is any anti-virus software available for the device. iOS is designed and 
> built to only accept and install software that has been approved by Apple and 
> run through the App Store. 
> 
> As such Apple has pretty much guaranteed that you won't encounter any 
> malicious software on your iOS device. Similarly security companies complain 
> that Apple will not approve any security focused software for the iPad or 
> iPhone, presumably Apple doesn't want to give the impression that such 
> software is necessary.
> 
> Having said that there are a variety of security-themed apps on the App 
> Store. Security specialist Symantec has a number of apps such as Symantec 
> Mobile Encryption and Symantec Secure Email. These are typically designed to 
> integrate the iPad with an enterprise environment, allowing iOS devices to 
> communicate securely with enterprise servers.
> 
> But for the home user, the iPad (and iPhone) is one of the safest computing 
> experiences you can imagine. It's combination of locked down hardware and 
> software make it more secure out of the box than a Mac or PC with security 
> software installed.
> 
> What security do I need for iPad and iPhone Safari web browsing?
> 
> The Safari web browser in iOS 7 / iOS 8 & iOS 9 is also protected against 
> malicious software, although you can encounter malicious websites and you are 
> vulnerable to so-called "Phishing" scams (where nefarious people send you 
> emails requesting you to enter account and password details.
> 
> Safari iOS 7 / 8 & 9 has a "Fraud Warning" service built into it. This is 
> activated by default, but it doesn't hurt to go to Settings > Safari and 
> double-check that Fraudulent Website Warning is set to ON
> 
> Are there any iPad/iPhone security risks at all?
> 
> The biggest risks with an iPad and iPhone aren't remote attacks, but up close 
> and personal theft. Somebody either stealing your device or using it when 
> your back is turned.
> 
> To protect somebody from accessing your iPad or iPhone without your knowledge 
> be sure to set either a passcode or password.
> 
> 1. Open Settings > General and tap Passcode Lock 
> 2. Click Turn Passcode On
> 3. Enter a four digit PIN
> 4. Re-enter the four digit PIN
> 5. Tap"RequirePasscode"and ensure it is set to"Immediately" 
> 6. Tap Passcode Lock to get back to the Passcode Lock settings
> 
> You can use a password instead of a passcode. This will ensure a higher level 
> of security, but you will need to enter the combination of letters and 
> numbers to unlock your iPad or iPhone, so most people stick with the passcode.
> 
> 1. Tap Simple Passcode to Off
> 2. Enter a password (a combination of numbers and letters)
> 
> Enable Find My iPad/iPhone
> 
> Find My iPhone is an app and service that you can install to locate an iOS if 
> it has gone missing. It also enables you to remotely wipe an iPhone or iPad, 
> or send a message to it in the hope of retrieving a lost iPhone or iPad.
> 
> 1. Click on Settings > Privacy > Location service
> 2. Tap Find My iPad and click it to On
> 3. Open the App Store and Find My iPhone. Install the app.
> 
> Open the Find My iPhone app on an iPad or iPhone and log in to see where all 
> your devices are. 

Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac

[FW]

Yes Ronni, I certainly will. It’s already archived.
Thanks.

Cheers.
Walter

*
> On 27 Sep 2015, at 17:37 , Ronda Brown  wrote:
> 
> Well... No... It's not really anti-virus software.
> But I do not recommend and have never recommended that Malwarebytes 
> Anti-Malware software be installed on current OS X systems.
> 
> Please read thoroughly all the documentation I posted in my last reply to the 
> list.
> 
> Cheers,
> Ronni
> Sent from Ronni's iPad4
> 
> 
> On 27 Sep 2015, at 4:46 pm, FW  wrote:
> 
>> Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not really anti-virus software, is it Ronni ?
>> 
>> Cheers
>> Walter
>> 
>> ***
>> 
>>> Begin forwarded message:
>>> 
>>> From: Ronni Brown 
>>> Subject: Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac
>>> Date: 27 September 2015 13:18:50 GMT+8
>>> To: WAMUG 
>>> Reply-To: wamug@wamug.org.au
>>> 
>>> 
 On 27 Sep 2015, at 11:58 am, Graham Rabe  wrote:
 
 A week or two ago Peter Marks on ABC Breakfast with Fran Kelly advised 
 against installing any Apple virus protection software given that recent 
 security upgrades have made them largely redundant and they seem to cause 
 more problems than they claim to fix.  
 
 Graham
 
 Sent from my iPad
>>> 
>>> I agree! In my previous reply I only supplied the information about 
>>> Malwarebytes anti-malware for Mac.
>>> 
>>> Peter, Daniel & I have posted numerous times re: Do Macs need Anti-Virus 
>>> programs.
>>> The short answer is NO.
>>> 
>>> Below I quote from Linc Davis - Level 10 Apple Support Communities
>>> 
>>> /Begin Quote from Linc Davis:
>>> Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The 
>>> answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give 
>>> the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called 
>>> "viruses." There  is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
>>> 
>>> 1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect 
>>> yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the 
>>> Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the 
>>> user's actions. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, 
>>> that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access 
>>> to the computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat 
>>> is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
>>> 
>>> The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in 
>>> sections 5, 6, and 10.
>>> 
>>> OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically 
>>> against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, 
>>> sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout 
>>> randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
>>> 
>>> 2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac 
>>> malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This 
>>> feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
>>> 
>>> The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; 
>>> however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at 
>>> least a day ahead of the defenders.
>>> 
>>> The following caveats apply to XProtect:
>>> 
>>> ☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as 
>>> BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
>>> 
>>> ☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software 
>>> installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
>>> 
>>> As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will 
>>> indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions 
>>> such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be 
>>> degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being 
>>> released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of 
>>> attack besides malware.
>>> 
>>> 3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in 
>>> malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, 
>>> applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only 
>>> run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by 
>>> Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by 
>>> Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by 
>>> anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he 
>>> could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not 
>>> mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see 
>>> below.)
>>> 
>>> Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known 

Fwd: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac

[FW]

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not really anti-virus software, is it Ronni ?

Cheers
Walter

***

> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Ronni Brown 
> Subject: Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac
> Date: 27 September 2015 13:18:50 GMT+8
> To: WAMUG 
> Reply-To: wamug@wamug.org.au
> 
> 
>> On 27 Sep 2015, at 11:58 am, Graham Rabe > > wrote:
>> 
>> A week or two ago Peter Marks on ABC Breakfast with Fran Kelly advised 
>> against installing any Apple virus protection software given that recent 
>> security upgrades have made them largely redundant and they seem to cause 
>> more problems than they claim to fix.  
>> 
>> Graham
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
> 
> I agree! In my previous reply I only supplied the information about 
> Malwarebytes anti-malware for Mac.
> 
> Peter, Daniel & I have posted numerous times re: Do Macs need Anti-Virus 
> programs.
> The short answer is NO.
> 
> Below I quote from Linc Davis 
>  - Level 10 Apple Support 
> Communities
> 
> /Begin Quote from Linc Davis:
> Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The 
> answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give the 
> wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called 
> "viruses." There  is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
> 
> 1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself 
> from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets 
> onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. It does 
> not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed 
> deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who 
> has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a different 
> category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
> 
> The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in 
> sections 5, 6, and 10.
> 
> OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against 
> malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable 
> , sandboxing 
> , system library 
> randomization, and address space layout randomization 
>  that may 
> also guard against other kinds of exploits.
> 
> 2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac 
> malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature 
> is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
> 
> The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; 
> however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least 
> a day ahead of the defenders.
> 
> The following caveats apply to XProtect:
> 
> ☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as 
> BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
> 
> ☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed 
> from a CD or other media is not checked.
> 
> As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will 
> indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions 
> such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be 
> degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being 
> released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack 
> besides malware.
> 
> 3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in 
> malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper 
> " by Apple. By default, applications and 
> Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're 
> digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software 
> certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be 
> reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the 
> developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally 
> responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the 
> developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
> 
> Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, 
> the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
> 
> ☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
> 
> ☞ A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under 
> false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing 
> codesigned malware .
> 
> ☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight 
> 

Re: Thunderbolt Dock causing SuperDuper problem?

[Alan Smith]

Please close this thread.

Problem with SuperDuper still exists but it is NOT associated with the Elgato 
Thunderbolt 2 dock.  Still testing - - -.

Alan

> On 24 Sep 2015, at 11:02 am, Alan Smith  wrote:
> 
> SuperDuper suffers very long delays in its start-up sequence when my Elgato 
> Thunderbolt 2 dock is connected, but is OK when the dock is unplugged.
> 
> Dave Ninian of Shirt Pocket (SuperDuper) said -
> “The delay is caused by the OS X "volume retrieval" call, which is taking a 
> long time to return a list of volumes and their attributes … (and) … We do 
> not interact directly with any drive hardware - the OS is returning all the 
> info, and the delay is in there."
> 
> Any comment or suggestions to identify and reduce the OS delay?
> 
> The dock normally has no drives attached, but these become available for use 
> in about 1 to 2 seconds when plugged in.  SuperDuper operation doesn’t change 
> if these extended drives are awake and operational.  Option to “remember 
> source and destination volumes” is unchecked in SuperDuper preferences (but 
> delay still occurs if checked). 
> 
> Regards, 
> Alan
> 
> Alan Smith
>  Late 2012 iMac 27" Intel Quad Core i5  Fusion 3.2GHz 8G RAM - OSX 10.10.5 
> Yosemite
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac

[Ronda Brown]

Well... No... It's not really anti-virus software.
But I do not recommend and have never recommended that Malwarebytes 
Anti-Malware software be installed on current OS X systems.

Please read thoroughly all the documentation I posted in my last reply to the 
list.

Cheers,
Ronni
Sent from Ronni's iPad4


> On 27 Sep 2015, at 4:46 pm, FW  wrote:
> 
> Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is not really anti-virus software, is it Ronni ?
> 
> Cheers
> Walter
> 
> ***
> 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>> From: Ronni Brown 
>> Subject: Re: Malwarebytes, anti-malware for Mac
>> Date: 27 September 2015 13:18:50 GMT+8
>> To: WAMUG 
>> Reply-To: wamug@wamug.org.au
>> 
>> 
>>> On 27 Sep 2015, at 11:58 am, Graham Rabe  wrote:
>>> 
>>> A week or two ago Peter Marks on ABC Breakfast with Fran Kelly advised 
>>> against installing any Apple virus protection software given that recent 
>>> security upgrades have made them largely redundant and they seem to cause 
>>> more problems than they claim to fix.  
>>> 
>>> Graham
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPad
>> 
>> I agree! In my previous reply I only supplied the information about 
>> Malwarebytes anti-malware for Mac.
>> 
>> Peter, Daniel & I have posted numerous times re: Do Macs need Anti-Virus 
>> programs.
>> The short answer is NO.
>> 
>> Below I quote from Linc Davis - Level 10 Apple Support Communities
>> 
>> /Begin Quote from Linc Davis:
>> Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The 
>> answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give 
>> the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called 
>> "viruses." There  is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
>> 
>> 1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect 
>> yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet 
>> and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. 
>> It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be 
>> installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the 
>> computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a 
>> different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
>> 
>> The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in 
>> sections 5, 6, and 10.
>> 
>> OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against 
>> malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, 
>> sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout 
>> randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
>> 
>> 2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac 
>> malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature 
>> is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
>> 
>> The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; 
>> however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least 
>> a day ahead of the defenders.
>> 
>> The following caveats apply to XProtect:
>> 
>> ☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as 
>> BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
>> 
>> ☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software 
>> installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
>> 
>> As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will 
>> indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions 
>> such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be 
>> degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being 
>> released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of 
>> attack besides malware.
>> 
>> 3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in 
>> malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, 
>> applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only 
>> run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by 
>> Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by 
>> Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone 
>> other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be 
>> held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much 
>> if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
>> 
>> Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, 
>> the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
>> 
>> ☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
>> 
>> ☞ A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under 
>> false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing 

Continual Console Log Entries re Address Book

[Alan Smith]

The iMac Console Diagnostic and Usage Messages log is recording the same pair 
of entries every 30 seconds.  I would expect that an entry at hourly or longer 
intervals would be normal.  How can I fix this?

The first message (preceded by date and time) is:-
   AddressBookSourceSync: com.apple.message.domain: 
com.apple.AddressBook.accounts.providers
and the second is:-
   AddressBookSourceSync: com.apple.message.domain: 
com.apple.AddressBook.accounts.summary

Both entries have several lines of detail exposed with the flippy triangle.   
The “provider” details include:-
   com.apple.message.signature: com.apple.google.iaplugin

Regards, 
Alan

Alan Smith
  Late 2012 iMac 27" Intel Quad Core i5  Fusion 3.2GHz 8G RAM - OS X 10.10.5 
Yosemite
 











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