News

For latest news of the Apple-sphere, look back here. Recent Articles, information, my Apple thoughts and more…..

(Some articles and information may link to other websites not associated with MacWizardry)

March is under way, and it’s been a pretty hot month already (weather wise).

A few software updates released and the recently updated Mac mini is going very well. It’s had some good reviews and looking to be a strong contender as the “iMac 27” replacement” (assuming Apple don’t bring out something else near the end of the year.

More rumours on the iPhone 15 and the long awaited AR/VR headset - which again has had some more delays apparently.

My birthday month this month…so another year old (wiser?) apparently.

** BEWARE ** “MacStealer malware has been identified

A security research firm have identified a new piece of Apple malware dubbed “MacStealer”. It has the ability to grab iCloud passwords, files and credit card details stored in browsers.

Thankfully, it’s something you have to download first. So as long as you’re cautious where (and what) you download off the internet and be aware of any installer asking for your computer password, then hopefully you should be alright. As it has to have actions from the user to install it. So if you’re vigilant in reading installers, checking what things are installing and just being aware - then you shouldn’t fall for activating it.

You can read more about it here and here

If you don’t have it already then MalwareBytes for Mac is well worth grabbing (Even just the free version is fine), as they regularly update it with new things out there.

You can download it from here.

And as long as you’re cautious and vigilant and keep regular backups, plus the above checker, all should be okay.

Apple also have a background checker for a lot of things called XProtect, so hopefully we’ll see that get updated in the next few days as well. (Though as this can be run as a standard download with user input - it may be harder to check for. I’m sure Apple will release some info over the next few days on this also).

Apple release Apple Music Classical

Apple have just released a new App specifically for people to listen to Classical music, making it easier to find music in the large catalogue.

You can read more about it here and here.

And you can download it for your iPhone or iPad here.

Apple release iOS 16.4 and more……

Apple have released a few updates for iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and TVOS - with a few new features for them all. 

You can read more about it here for iOS and here for watchOS

They also updated macOS Ventura to 13.3. More about about it here

Do more with your devices…

We use our computers and iDevices pretty much all day every day and they’re wonderful for a lot of things. The following 3 articles on Macrumors may be worth a read to help you get more out of them though. You can click the links below to go to each article.

10 macOS Tips to make your life easier

12 Time-saving iPhone Tips to make you a more efficient User.

macOS Ventura : 50 new features and changes worth checking out 

They may not all be useful, but even a few things here and there can help make our daily usage better. Enjoy!

Update your Mac to address vulnerability

It’s always a good idea to ensure you have all the latest updates installed to help protect your computer and iDevice. With some recent vulnerabilities around Apple has released some security updates. So ensure you’re running the latest.

You can check for updates as follows -

On your macOS Venture, go to the  menu (top left) then to System Settings. Then go to General then Software Update. Once it’s checked and found any new ones, click on “Update Now”.

For previous systems you go to  menu (top left) then to System Preferences. Then to Software Update. Once it’s checked and if anything new, click “Update Now”

For the iPhone, or iPad go to Settings then General then Software Update. If anything new is found, it will offer you to “Download and Install”. 

You can read more about it here

Have you considered if your computer stops working or could be down for quite a while?

If your computer crashes or is down for a long period time, or even if it’s going to be away for service work for a while, have you considered the down time this could cause to yourself, your work and/or business?

There is a way that an external drive can be set up beforehand where in these sort of circumstances you can still be up and running relatively easy - even if your computer has to go away for days to be repaired.

It’s a relatively cheap and easy process. 

If you would like to find out more about how this can be set up for yourself or your business please feel free to drop me an email or call to discuss.

Be aware of “Fake webpages” advising you need to update.

So there is a bit of a rise on the number of webpages or fake links that will try to trick you into calling a number or clicking a link to “update” some piece of software.

I’ve written a page with a bit more info on it here