[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
It does not seem that long ago I would hear Mac users say \u201cI don\u2019t need Anti-Virus\u201d<\/em>, or “Mac\u2019s are not affected”<\/em>.<\/p>\n To a certain extent they were right. Apple’s use of tightly controlled application approvals reduced the surface area for attack. Mac users did not enjoy the variety of application choices a Windows user had, and that contributed to their safety. The smaller application base also restricted business use of Mac devices. Less Mac developed applications also meant less skilled developers. The combined result of this meant that targeting Mac was an expensive exercise, in a restricted pool of targets.<\/p>\n As more and more applications moved to the cloud, the usage of Macs for business has increased, along with overall market share.\u00a0 We have seen figures that Mac now has 20% of the operating system market share. If you combine that with the sense that Mac users may have of being safe,then targeting Mac looks a lot more profitable for software authors and hackers alike.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/AppleHAck.png” title_text=”AppleHAck” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n We see this shift in product availability. Good security vendors will now always have a Mac version of their product. Application vendors are putting more resources into deploying Mac versions of their product or ensuring that their SaaS solution will work in Mac browsers.\u00a0 Security researchers take greater interest in what is happening on the Mac desktop and that means we see more and more vulnerabilities being found. The recent announcement of the new “GoFetch Apple M-Series” vulnerability is an example of this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Many hacks are about tricking you into giving away information. Your Operating System or Security Application are of only limited effect if you make a mistake when answering an onscreen prompt.<\/p>\n Kinetics KARE Foundation<\/a> helps a lot.\u00a0 It includes DNS scrubbing and our special in-browser security extension. Both of these work to keep you out of harm\u2019s way, but ultimately, you are in control of your actions.<\/p>\n Keep your device and its common applications up to date. <\/strong>\u00a0Many common attack vectors are via known application weaknesses. Our KARE Foundation <\/a>team is in the process of releasing a new Mac patching system using tools from an industry leader in Mac management. The objective is to give the same level of O\/S and software patching that Windows users receive.<\/p>\n Run strong security software.<\/strong> I started this article talking about Anti-Virus.\u00a0 However no one with a strong understanding of security and risk relies purely on anti-virus anymore.\u00a0 It is now EDR (EndPoint detection and Response) that is the common standard.\u00a0 When we were choosing our EDR product, strong Mac support was high on the list of must haves. We also made sure our new MDR (SOC \/SEIM 24×7 security monitoring and response) product includes agents for Macs.<\/p>\n A lot has changed over the past four years. We have more choices about where and how we work. That freedom comes at a cost. Cybercrime is increasing year on year. Like any growth business cyber criminals are expanding their base and improving their techniques. There is no safe haven.<\/p>\nA Mac user needs to be just as security aware as a Windows user.<\/h2>\n
It is a changing world!<\/h2>\n