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So happy for you, Microsoft, \r\n Windows Notepad users, rejoice! Microsoft's text editing app, which has been shipping with Windows since version 1.0 in 1985, has finally been taught how to handle line endings in text files created on Linux, Unix, Mac OS, and macOS devices."This has been a major annoyance for developers, IT Pros, administrators, and end users throughout the community," Microsoft acknowledged in a blog post today, without touching on why the issue was allowed to fester for more than three decades.Notepad's line feed limitations may not inspire the same level of partisan bickering as the tabs vs....

The eighteenth annual CanSecWest security conference is underway in downtown Vancouver, Canada, where researchers are competing in the 11th Pwn2Own computer hacking contest for over $2 million in prizes. Day one results have already been published over at the Zero Day Initiative website, with a couple of successful Mac-related exploits already appearing in the list of achievements. Image via Zero Day Initiative​ Samuel Groß of phoenhex returned to Pwn2Own to successfully hack Apple's desktop Safari browser. Groß used a JIT optimization bug in Safari, a macOS logic bug, and a kernel overwrite to execute code to successfully exploit the browser,...

Apple releases macOS 10.13.3 supplemental update with with Telugu text bug fixes Apple has released macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 Supplemental Update with a fix to CoreText wherein a Telugu character could crash text apps. Apple addressed a memory corruption issue via improved input validation. macOS 10.13.3 Supplemental Update is available via Software Update. Apple releases iOS 11.2.6, watchOS 4.2.3, and tvOS 11.2.6 with with Telugu text bug fixes Apple has released iOS 11.2.6, watchOS 4.2.3, and tvOS 11.2.6 with fixes to CoreText wherein a Telugu character could crash text apps. Apple addressed a memory corruption issue via improved input validation....

We’re still not sure if it was a glitch, an “oops” or an intentional snub, but it looks like Easter Sunday has disappeared from Apple’s iPhone calendars under the company's latest software update. Fox News reports some iPhone users have complained that Easter Sunday, which falls on April 1 this year and is the most important holiday in Christianity, has been erased from Apple’s calendar under its latest iOS version 11.2.5.

Apple has now released Meltdown patches for its three most recent versions of the macOS operating system. Earlier this month Apple said it was working on mitigations for the Spectre vulnerability, which is said to be harder to exploit Tim CookMark Neuling - CNBC Apple on Tuesday took the next step toward protecting Mac users from recently disclosed security vulnerabilities that have been shown to affect many kinds of devices. The move brings Apple closer to being on par with Microsoft in terms of deploying protections for older versions of its desktop operating systems. On Tuesday Apple said it...

A bug publicly released by a developer can freeze — and possibly crash — your device if you open it in Messages. According to an article by Nicole Nguyen at Buzzfeed, yesterday afternoon software developer Abraham Masri publicly posted the bug — a security vulnerability called "chaiOS" that he found while attempting to break the operating system via "fuzzing" — to Github. Fuzzing is essentially a way of testing for vulnerabilities that involves putting way too much data into a system in order to crash it. 👋 Effective Power is back, baby! chaiOS bug:Text the link below, it will freeze...

Microsoft has given the world new versions of PowerShell that bring the popular automation and scripting tool to MacOS and Linux.PowerShell Core 6.0’s both an upgrade and a replacement for its predecessors.It’s a replacement because Microsoft is no longer actively developing its predecessor, “Windows PowerShell”. That tool will be kept secure in future updates to Windows Server and Windows.Those of you looking for future fun, by way of enhancements, need to adopt PowerShell Core. That moniker reflects the fact it runs with the .Net Core, rather than the Windows-only .NET framework.The change has been made because Microsoft wants sysadmins to...

Only Intel machines are affected by Meltdown Details have emerged on two major processor security flaws this week, and the industry is scrambling to issue fixes and secure machines for customers. Dubbed “Meltdown” and “Spectre,” the flaws affect nearly every device made in the past 20 years. The Meltdown flaw only affects Intel processors, and researchers have already released proof of concept code that could lead to attacks using Meltdown. The vulnerabilities allow an attacker to compromise the privileged memory of a processor by exploiting the way processes run in parallel. They also allow an attacker to use JavaScript code...

"Today we look at the reason why hackers always prefer Linux over Mac, Windows, and other operating systems. You may have your own reasons for choosing Linux but what do hackers really look forward to while working with Linux."

Has Microsoft finally caught up to Apple? The latest reviews of Microsoft’s new laptops hint that Apple’s cachet (and price points) may be wearing thin among consumers. Verto Analytics conducted a Smart Poll of current Windows owners (among U.S. adults, ages 18 and above) and asked them if they planned to buy an Apple as their next computer (either laptop or desktop) in the next 6-24 months. We also asked current Mac owners about their intentions to switch to a Windows machine within the next 6-24 months. Windows Owners Are More Likely to Make a Switch to Mac According to...

The program’s creator asks for payments but doesn’t have the encryption key to unlock victims’ files A new file-encrypting ransomware program for macOS is being distributed through BitTorrent websites, and users who fall victim to it won’t be able to recover their files, even if they pay. Crypto ransomware programs for macOS are rare. This is the second such threat found in the wild so far, and it’s a poorly designed one. The program was named OSX/Filecoder.E by the malware researchers from antivirus vendor ESET who found it. OSX/Filecoder.E masquerades as a cracking tool for commercial software like Adobe Premiere...

Full read/write access was there for the taking Microsoft has patched a code execution hole in its Mac remote desktop client that grants read and write to home directories if users do no more than click a link, says Italian security researcher Filippo Cavallarin. The hole was patched 17 January. Cavallarin says the flaw allowed remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable machines if users did not more than click phishing links. From there, attackers would gain read and write access to Mac home directories. "Microsoft Remote Desktop Client for Mac OS X allows a malicious terminal server to...

While the investing community this morning is focused squarely on the very disappointing iPhone 5 relaunch and the lack of a cemented China Mobile deal, which has resulted in a $20 billion loss in market cap in early trading for the second most widely held hedge fund stock, a thing that we find more curious in the aftermath of the latest revalations of an implicit, if not explicitly voluntary, joint venture between Apple and the US government and specifically its NSA uberspies, is just how much of Apple's product suite is derived thanks to developments by the US government....

If you’re wondering why Donald Trump is so popular… Republicans are sick of electing good conservatives, only to watch them cave to the bullying tactics of those so very tolerant and nice liberals. One by one, elected Republicans compromise away their principles to sit at the cool kid table. Paul Ryan used to be pretty cool. Speaker Paul Ryan is joining Apple’s Tim Cook for a fundraiser next week in California. A couple of days ago Cook said Apple will not be sending any money to the GOP convention because they do not agree with Donald Trump. I’m sure that...

The security services aren't going to like this Apple doubles-down on encryption in new APFS file system Apple is deepening support for encryption in its PCs, laptops and devices with the introduction of Apple File System (APFS), a new file system that will replace the existing HFS+ file system from next year.APFS has been "engineered with encryption as a primary feature", according to Apple, adding extra encryption features into the file system that will make it easier for users to encrypt files. However, it may also reignite disputes with law enforcement and security agencies over backdoors for encrypted communications and...

Apple’s brand new operating system for its laptops and desktop computers, macOS, will ship in the fall for all customers. A beta for developers will be released later today. There’s a host of new features, including Auto Unlock, Continuity Clipboard, Apple Pay, Siri for Mac and more. A public beta will be offered in July. Apple® today previewed macOS Sierra™, a major update to the world’s most advanced desktop operating system, with new features that make the Mac® smarter and more helpful than ever. Siri® is now on the Mac with brand-new capabilities to help with the things users do...

Redmond will support it inside Azure and send code back to the FreeBSD Foundation Microsoft has published its own distribution of FreeBSD 10.3 in order to make the OS available and supported in Azure. Jason Anderson, principal PM manager at Microsoft's Open Source Technology Center says Redmond “took on the work of building, testing, releasing and maintaining the image” so it could “ensure our customers have an enterprise SLA for their FreeBSD VMs running in Azure”. Microsoft did so “to remove that burden” from the FreeBSD Foundation, which relies on community contributions. Redmond is not keeping its work on FreeBSD...

The abacus-shufflers of analyst firm IDC have revised their 2016 PC sales forecasts downwards. The firm now says PC shipments “... are forecast to decline by 7.3% year over year”. That's “roughly two per cent below earlier projections as conditions have been weaker than expected.” The firm names “weak currencies, depressed commodity prices, political uncertainty, and delayed projects” as the weaker conditions impacting sales. Windows 10 isn't helping matters either, because lots of people are availing themselves of free Windows 10 upgrades rather than buying a new PC. The firm also says that “while a large share of enterprises are...

A new translation of the Bible updates the religious text with modern technology, replacing several words with emojis. The digital text titled “Bible Emoji: Scripture 4 Millenials” uses Apple’s vast library of emoticons to retell all 66 books of the Bible in a way intended to relate to young people.

Adding to the evidence that Apple is intending to change the name of OS X, the company on Thursday posted an updated webpage referring to the software as "MacOS" instead. The term can be found on an FAQ page within Apple's Environment subsite, specifically in a section about greenhouse gases and product lifecycles. The text is the only direct reference to either Macs or OS X in the FAQ — notably, the rest of Apple's website still appears to insist on using "OS X." In late March it was discovered that one framework in OS X 10.11.4 refers to "macOS."...