Did you know that both Lion (10.7) and Snow Leopard (10.6) will protect you from known virus and malware threats?

All you have to do is to ensure that the checkbox in System Preferences under Security & Privacy is checked.

Here’s what it should look like in Lion (10.7):

Here’s what if should look like in Snow Leopard (10.6):

See this link from Apple for more info: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4651

There is a new threat that has surfaced that will try to fool you into installing the Flash Player. Read more about this from this blog. Apple has not yet included a built-in defense for this issue yet, so the best way to combat this threat is to download Flash directly from Adobe’s website, should you need it. Also, if any software you download from the Internet asks you for your password, you should be 100% certain you know what you downloaded, where you downloaded it from, and what it is.

The Mac Observer made a nice little application that checks your Mac’s Xprotect definitions status and allows for a manual update of the virus and malware definitions: http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/safe_download_version_adds_manual_definitions_update/

Update 7/26/11: If you have already installed 10.6.8 and you’d like to fix the issues with it, then you need this version of the update.

If you’d like to upgrade from 10.6.7 to 10.6.8 then you need this version of the update.

If you’re running 10.6.6 or any previous version of 10.6, you need this version of the update.

If you’ve already applied the v1.1 update of 10.6.8 (Delta or Combo), then you don’t need to apply the 10.6.8 Supplemental Update, as it’s built into v1.1 update.

About Mac OS X 10.6.8 Supplemental Update:

The Mac OS X 10.6.8 Supplemental Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8 and resolves issues with:

-Transferring personal data, settings, and compatible applications from a Mac running Mac OS X Snow Leopard to a new Mac running Mac OS X Lion.

-Certain network printers that pause print jobs immediately and fail to complete.

-System audio that stops working when using HDMI or optical audio out.

You can manually download the update installer. This is a useful option when you need to update multiple computers but only want to download the update once. These versions of the standalone installers are available from Apple Support Downloads.

What’s included?

-Enhancements to the Mac App Store to get your Mac ready to upgrade to Mac OS X Lion.

-Resolves an issue that may cause Preview to unexpectedly quit.

-Improves support for IPv6.

-Improves VPN reliability.

-Identifies and removes known variants of MacDefender malware.

-Corrects timezone data in iCal for Lisbon-Portugal.

-Adds the ability to use Kerberos authentication to a web proxy server.

-Fixes an issue when saving documents from Xcode or TextEdit when using an NFS home directory.

-Fixes an issue when importing certain media files into Final Cut Pro.

-Includes RAW image compatibility for additional digital cameras.

Mac OS X v10.6.8 also includes fixes provided in the Mac OS X v10.6.7 Snow Leopard Font Update:

-Addresses an issue in which some OpenType fonts don’t display correctly in certain applications.
Resolves issues printing from Preview.

-Addresses an issue with PDF files not opening in third-party PDF viewing applications.

-Resolves invalid font errors when printing to PostScript printers.

Update 9/27/11: Thanks Microsoft! Botnet that hosted MacDefender scareware/malware shut down thanks to Microsoft. http://t.co/LNpIXZWx

Apple released the much anticipated 10.6.3 software update today. I have included the info from Apple followed by the MacMedics list of software update precautions. Please don’t install this update until you are 100% sure your back-up is working and tested!

Here is the info straight from Software Update:

The 10.6.3 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:

Improve the reliability and compatibility of QuickTime X

Fix glowing, stuck, or dark pixels when viewing video from the iMac (Late 2009) built-in iSight camera

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4014.

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222.

Running a software update from Apple (or elsewhere) as soon as it pops up is not always the best plan. In our travels we very frequently see clients who have run a software update without planning ahead for it, and as a result end up with annoying issues, sudden incompatibilities, and even data loss. One thing to consider is how healthy your hard drive is overall before running an update. Never try to solve an issue such as system lock ups or crashing by installing the latest update, as symptoms like those can be exasperated by applying a software update.

Here’s our safety checklist for running software updates or installing a system upgrade.

1. Back up your data, and double check your back up before installing any update. [Don't forget to unplug that back-up before installing an update]

6. Consider the possibility that major applications and/or features might be affected by an Apple software update or system upgrade.

Don’t run a software update on a production machine while on a deadline. You want to be certain that the update will not cause more problems than it was designed to fix. If your machine is working, let it continue working as is, and plan to install the update after you know it’s not going to cause any issues for you.

We install the updates on our test machines here at MacMedics as soon as they are released to Apple Developers, and again when they are released to the public. Let us be the guinea pigs. We’ll let you know how we feel about the update in our weekly e-mail to MacMedics clients.

Can your hard drive handle Snow Leopard (or the latest major update)???

Installing a new OS is like taking your hard drive to the gym. It can be quite a workout for an older hard drive, and whenever a new OS comes out, we always see a few dead hard drives as a result. No matter what you do, make sure you have a back up of your data before you begin!

Prices have dropped significantly on hard drives over the last year or so. MacMedics now recommends retiring hard drives after three years in desktops, and two years in laptops. Be sure to check out our web page to find out why you should retire your older hard drive and to learn about our 5 rules of data protection and preservation. Why take a chance with your data when faster, larger, and generally more reliable drives are available. Moving to Snow Leopard is a great opportunity to get a new drive, while at the same time insuring your data is safe.

Update 1/27/10: This topic was mentioned on the Apple forums. See the link here.

Apple released Snow Leopard to the public on August 28. This new version of OS X leaves behind support for the Power PC and it will only run on Intel based Macintosh computers. It’s faster, smaller in size, and much cheaper then previous Apple operating systems. At $29 it’s a good value and well worth the investment. It’s $29 for the single user, $49 for a 5 user family pack, and Tiger users can upgrade via the Mac Box Set which includes iLife ’09 and iWork ’09 as well as Snow Leopard.

Update 9/12/08: MacMedics has both Snow Leopard and Snow Leopard Family Packs in stock in both Lanham and Millersville locations.

Our initial reaction to Snow Leopard has been good, and most of the MacMedics are running it now and have been using it and testing it for some time. While we are excited for it, we have not yet begun to install it for clients just yet.

Before you take the leap to Snow Leopard (or any other update to Apple’s OS) be sure to read our software upgrade warnings page first. It can be found here, but to get the word our we’ve copied the text of the page to this Blog post.

As noted below, MacMedics also strongly recommends you have a tested and fully functional back up in place BEFORE you install any Apple system software update. Something could go wrong, and you could have a major problem on your hands. Whenever Apple releases a major update to OS X we usually see 4 or 5 clients’ hard drives die that first day. If your hard drive is dying or already unhealthy, the extra hard drive activity needed to install a major update is often all it takes to kill a hard drive. Please see our web page on the subject of hard drive failures.

For more detailed information on installing Apple system updates, please see details below.

Upgrading to Snow Leopard and/or installing any Apple OS X software update

Running a software update from Apple (or elsewhere) as soon as it pops up is not always the best plan. In our travels we very frequently see clients who have run a software update without planning ahead for it, and as a result end up with annoying issues, sudden incompatibilities, and even data loss. One thing to consider is how healthy your hard drive is overall before running an update. Never try to solve an issue such as system lock ups or crashing by installing the latest update, as symptoms like those can be exasperated by applying a software update.

Here’s our safety checklist for running software updates or installing a system upgrade.

6. Consider the possibility that major applications and/or features might be affected by an Apple software update or system upgrade.

Don’t run a software update on a production machine while on a deadline. You want to be certain that the update will not cause more problems than it was designed to fix. If your machine is working, let it continue working as is, and plan to install the update after you know it’s not going to cause any issues for you. We install the updates on our test machines here at MacMedics as soon as they are released to Apple Developers, and again when they are released to the public.

Can your hard drive handle Snow Leopard?

Installing a new OS is like taking your hard drive to the gym. It can be quite a workout for an older hard drive, and whenever a new OS comes out, we always see a few dead hard drives as a result. No matter what you do, make sure you have a back up of your data before you begin! Also, don’t forget (or skip over) the important task of TESTING your back up. Time Machine is what many clients are running, and while it works most of the time, it can suffer from issues. It’s very hard to test that a Time Machine back up is totally working, and we often find ones that don’t work. Just keep that in mind when you plan your upgrade.

Prices have dropped significantly on hard drives over the last year or so. MacMedics now recommends retiring hard drives after three years in desktops, and two years in laptops. Be sure to check out new web page to find out why you should retire your older hard drive and to learn about our 5 rules of data protection and preservation. Why take a chance with your data when faster, larger, and generally more reliable drives are available. Moving to Snow Leopard is a great opportunity to get a new drive, while at the same time insuring your data is safe.