We’ve recently discovered a macOS service for ‘trials’ which runs ‘experiments’. Why hasn’t Apple told us, and explained its implications for our privacy?
privacy
App signatures are about more than just the certificate. That provides a chain of trust going back to Apple, and supports integrity checks and entitlements.
Unscramble what HTTPS, SSL, TLS, VPNs and Apple’s Private Relay do, and how they could be used to protect you.
In November 2020, macOS was found to have a hole in protecting users’ privacy, which Apple promised to fix within a year. Although it has made changes, are they protective enough?
Apple’s Private Relay service isn’t a full VPN, but is designed to ensure that no one knows both your IP address and the sites you connect to. Is it a good choice?
Since macOS Sierra, the Unified log has been an unrivalled source of information about what’s going on in macOS. But access isn’t simple.
What is FileVault encryption? Is it the same as that on an M1 Mac’s internal SSD, or something different? How can you use it instead of overwriting an SSD? Which boot volumes are encrypted?
macOS 12 Monterey promises consolidation and improvement, even truth and reconciliation perhaps. But Shortcuts and Universal Control promise strongly.
Big Sur 11.3 includes support for AirTags, as explained here. Apple has also thought out how they could be misused, and how to prevent that.
Updates recommended for all users. They finally address problems with using 12-hour and other clocks. Log handling code has been refactored to improve performance.
The Eclectic Light Company 