This update (10.2.8 here) delivers a number of security enhancements and is recommended for all Macintosh users. This update includes the following components: HelpViewer.
Security Update 2004-05-24 for Mac OS X Released
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
What it will break now?
If you follow forums, you notice that a lot of things break when updating OSX.
I wouldn’t even notice it if I wouldn’t have constant problems on two OSX that I support.
Last one was really nasty. After update, all tray icons in right corner started flashing and changing order, that made keyboard switch impossible. If smb network drive was mounted too long, it became unmountable.
After that I started googling about problems with updates and found out that this is not just a single problem, anyone can try googling “OSX update problem” and various combinations of it.
Ok, my salvation was disabling update.
The HelpViewer issue has been in the public for about a week now. However, on the MacNN forum, it was discovered that the issue is even more serious than thought. Malware authors can make up their own URL protocols, and OSX’s LauchServices facility will automatically register them. For details, see
http://www.unsanity.com/haxies/pa/whitepaper
The Apple updates does not patch this yet, but they have been notified, so we can expect more patches soon.
I have never had anything break on me when updating yet.
After update, all tray icons in right corner started flashing and changing order, that made keyboard switch impossible.
Sound like you’re describing Windows. OS X has no tray or tray icons in the lower right corner.
Ok, my salvation was disabling update
…and what does that mean? Software update can check for updates automatically, but they won’t install automatically. You still have to enter an administrator password to install system updates.
How about real comments from actual users.
Yeah, that’s sounding more like Windows to me as well (tray icons in right corner), and I’m not finding all that much when I Google it. Is there a specific web page you can point to?
For the people who can see the advisories before public releases, among other incomming advisories, the problem is still not fixed as indicated here: http://www.insecure.ws/article.php?story=20040522041815126
“Reality Distortion Bubble (TM)”
It’s a Reality Distortion Field, get it right! Anyway, I have put this one on 4 machines and no problems yet. But then again none of them have ever given me any problems.
“Results 1 – 10 of about 132,000 for OSX update problem.”
yes, indeed… not a single hit… better learn to use a search engine, i have heard they might be usefull.
It’s ok.. windows has mac beat as usual!
“Results 1 – 10 of about 4,010,000 for windows update problem”
“Results 1 – 10 of about 2,230,000 for windows xp update problem”
“Results 1 – 10 of about 3,480,000 for windows 2000 update problem.”
Linux isn’t fool-proof either:
http://www.debian.org/News/2003/20031202
http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2003/12/03/gentoo_linux_server_co…
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/linux.slapp…
http://lwn.net/Articles/44310/
I have a PowerBook, and a PC, which runs Fedora and XP. Why in the world do people go ‘haha you have a security patch’ ?
All three OSes have their fare share of patches. Of course Windows has way more, but it’s more targeted/used so who’s to say.
The point is, security is a concern for ALL computer users. Say ‘haha’ today and you’ll get a virus tomorrow. Platform zealotry is so last millenium.
well, being more targeted has nothing to do with the number of security holes the OS actually has.
What are you talking about? I just applied said update and I didn’t have to reboot, nothing broke, my +2 weekend continues on my Powerbook. Never seen a problem after a n Apple update so far. I’ve owned my Powerbook since November.
I’ve just about installed every update since OS X 10.0 was released (on dozens of machines – I provide tech support for a school), and I’ve never, repeat never had a problem with an update.
And this proves what, exactly?
If there were no problems with updates for Mac, just like with every other platform, then websites like Macfixit would simply not exist.
You got lucky. Good for you.
“You got lucky. Good for you.”
No reason to be snappy about it.
“And this proves what, exactly?”
Well, it doesn’t really *prove* anything. But I don’t think the author was trying to anyway. What it does suggest is that perhaps update problems are the exception rather than the norm.
I know that would certainly match my own experiences with OSX vs. Windows.
– not. These were known since FEB’04. Well, better late than never, I guess…
…i had a nightmare last night that a virus infected my iBook and that everything was going all screwy. i was just about to do a reinstall, wipng my unbackuped mp3 collection, when i woke up. god, i really need to get out more
It was an FYI, but disappointingly – yet unsurprisingly – started a flamewar in the comments.
I’d like to hear Apple’s side of the story re: their being notified in Feb’04. There’s two sides to every story; we only have one of them so far.
By my count, there have been three trojans and zero viruses for Mac OS X revealed in this ‘scaring frenzy’ fashion since the beginning of the year. It has no ‘good’ side except for those interested in denigrating the platform, the platform’s users, and the platform’s authors.
*sigh*
Results 1 – 10 of about 1,340,000 for windows server 2003 update problem. (0.21 seconds)
1 – Mac Os X
2 – Linux
3 – Windows Server 2003
4 – All other wondow’s OS….
who the hell cares about win vs mac when it comes to updates? this is such a stupid topic. in my opinion, eugenia, this serves as a reminder for those that
haven’t already upgraded, not a point for discussion, you should separate osnews more logically, like news and updates and articles. i love osnews and have been reading for about 2 years now, but this is getting silly, i bet for your database even.
i agree. this news really isn’t news. the mac owners get notified from their Security Update. if anyone’s turned this off then it’s their own tough cheese. surely there are more interesting stories out there.
how about the news that the next generation of ipods are going to have colour displays. it’s not riveting but at least it’s news worthy.
Just applied the update, no reboot and everything seems fine.
Apple was notified of the vulnerability in February, and just fixed it. While that may *seem* like a long time. I refer you to this article: http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-5158625.html — titled “200 Days to fix a windows patch”
On the one hand, people are complaining about unstable security patches, and then they’re complaining that they come out too slowly. You can have stability, or you can have lightning fast fixes. You don’t get both.
On the one hand, people are complaining about unstable security patches, and then they’re complaining that they come out too slowly. You can have stability, or you can have lightning fast fixes. You don’t get both.
I have found that people just like to complain. I will gladly choose stability over a faster release time in almost every occasion. That’s why I never buy a product right after it is released. I wait and allow the rest of the buying market to help the manufacturer test the product, and fix its issues first.
>>And this proves what, exactly?
>>If there were no problems with updates for
>>Mac… …then websites like Macfixit would simply not
>>exist.
>>You got lucky. Good for you.
Wow, we got a bitter one!
Rarely, if ever, have I had an issue with software updates from Apple. Sorry, bub (or is it bubbette?), but fleur-de-lis experience is the norm. Luck had nothing to do with it. Do people have issues with updates? On occassion, yes. Though, for those that have a problem with _every_ update I suspect PEBKAC.
I was bashed and harassed by an Apple manager regarding freebsd’s installer.
glad to say that I no longer am interested in apple anymore. They use bsd and don’t give back darwin to bsd.
🙁