Intego Mac Podcast

Episode 194: iCloud Calendar Spam, In-App Purchases, and Windows 11

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Owners of WD MyCloud Drives have found all their data remotely wiped by hackers. iCloud Calendar spam is problem again, and we explain why, and how to...

Episode 193: Secure Password Recipes

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One way of creating secure passwords is to use a number of memorable words; how secure are this type of password? We also look at a network bug that c...

Episode 192: New Features Coming in macOS Monterey, iOS 15, and iPadOS 15

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple issued a security update for iOS 12, and we wonder why. Google backtracks on a Chrome address bar change. New stats show an increasing in phishi...

Episode 191: New Privacy Features in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey

10 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple introduced its new operating systems this week, and there are plenty of privacy features to help users better control their data. We discuss the...

Episode 190: Amazon Sidewalk and the Forever Mac

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook and Intel try to diss Apple, but score own goals. Amazon Sidewalk launches, and we tell you what it means, and how to opt out. And we discuss...

Episode 189: M1s Everywhere

27 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple updates everything again, and their new privacy add provides a clear explanation of app tracking. We discuss an iOS app scam, where an app won't...

Episode 188: How Much Abuse Can Apple's AirTags Take?

20 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We stress tested Apple AirTags and discuss how tough they are, but we also look at how AirTags can enable stalkers. And there's news about Apple touti...

Episode 187: Pipeline Ransomware, Users Don’t Want Apps to Track Them, and Mailing AirTags

13 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ransomware has interrupted a major US gasoline pipeline, Apple didn't tell more than 100 million people their iOS devices had malware, wi-fi design fl...

Episode 186: Facebook and Instagram Beg Users to Be Allowed to Track Them

06 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple issued emergency security updates to its operating systems to protect against vulnerabilities exploited in the wild. Facebook and Instagram plea...

Episode 185: AirTags, AirDrop, and App Tracking

29 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of updates for Apple operating systems, an AirDrop vulnerability that can lean phone numbers and email addresses, and hands on with the new Apple...

Episode 184: The Acme of Thinness

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

More bad news about Facebook, more browsers just saying no to FLoC, and we look at Apple's Spring Loaded product announcements. Show Notes: Coding ...

Episode 183: 500 Million More Reasons to Talk About Facebook

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Scammers have a new technique for delivering malware: using online contact forms. A couple of browsers are nixing Google's FLoC ad tracking technology...

Episode 182: Facebook, Google, and Stolen iPhones

08 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook leaks 500 million user records, Google is testing a new replacement for cookies to track users, and we explain how to check if that used iPho...

No April Fool's Jokes Here, and Other News

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about new malware targeting iOS developers, fleeceware in the App Store, 5G vulnerabilities that can leak your location, and discuss private b...

10 Mac security and privacy features to set up right away

25 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss our checklist of the 10 security and privacy features that you should set up right away on your new Mac. Show Notes: 10 Mac security and...

Google, iOS Security Updates, and the End of the Original HomePod

18 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Google is sued for its incognito browsing mode. iOS security updates may be delivered more frequently. We look at how easy it is to take over someone'...

Everything You Need to Know About Batteries

11 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The iMac Pro is at the end of its life, and we discuss future iMacs. We look at a change in terminology Apple will be introducing in podcasting. And w...

All About Cookies

04 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Could Apple's Rosetta emulation environment not be available in every country? We examine claims that it will be deleted in certain regions. Chrome ch...

Silver Sparrow Malware Targets Apple’s New M1 Macs

25 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Silver Sparrow malware has been found targeting Macs, including Apple's new M1 models, but we don't know what the malware is trying to do. Apple has s...

A New Amazon Phishing Scam, Malvertizing, and Apple Activation Lock Removal

18 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A new Amazon phishing scam doesn't include links to click, but rather a telephone number to call: beware! Malvertizing takes advantage of a zero-day W...

Software Updates, Scam iPhone Apps, and Using Safari Browser Extensions

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There were a number of important security updates to key software this week: macOS, Chrome, Edge, and even Plex. We discuss how upgrading a Mac to Big...

Face ID with Masks, a sudo vulnerability, and Apple's Privacy Labels

04 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple is testing a new feature allowing users with Face ID iPhones to unlock them with their Apple Watch, if they're wearing masks. There's a vulnerab...

Apple Updates, Web Browsers, and Ergonomics

28 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Apple updated most of its operating system, and these updates are important because they patch vulnerabilities that are exploited in the wild. We talk...

DNS, Lost Bitcoin, and the new Big Sur Control Center

21 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

DNS is in the news, following a warning from the NSA and new malware. We discuss how common it is for law enforcement to crack smartphones, and how th...

How iTunes Changed Apple

14 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

iTunes is 20 years old. Even if, on the Mac, that name has been eclipsed, the iTunes brand still exists, and iTunes is one of the reasons that Apple i...

New Year’s Resolution: Cull Your Notifications

07 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There's new malware attacking cryptocurrency apps, WhatsApp warns users about data it is sharing with Facebook, and Apple loses a copyright fight with...

A Brief History of Adobe Flash Player: From Multimedia to Malware

31 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On December 31, 2020, Adobe Flash Player is officially dead. This browser plugin, which provided multimedia content for the early internet, has been p...

Looking Back on the Year in Apple Security

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As the year ends, we look back on the security issues that arose in 2020, including malware that bypassed Apple's checks, Flash Player malware, and ma...

Understanding Apple’s App Privacy Information

17 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple has introduced new app privacy information on its app stores, explaining how developers collect data. We also look at this week's Apple updates,...

What Do You Want for Christmas?

10 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple announces new over-the-ear headphones, AirPods Max, and we discuss whether these meet the needs of our hosts. Apple doubles down on anti-trackin...

A Week with the New MacBook Air

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss how new security features in macOS Big Sur can make it difficult to install certain apps. We talk about Amazon Sidewalk, a feature that wil...

Black Friday; Securely Dispose of Your Old Mac; The HomePod mini

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, we give some tips on buying older devices that may be insecure. We discuss how to audit your subscriptio...

How To Prepare Your Mac for macOS Big Sur

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple released macOS Big Sur last week. On release day, there were a number of issues, including problems launching apps on Macs. We discuss what happ...

Apple Launches New Macs, and Big Sur Arrives

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple announced three new Macs with its own processors, the first of a transition of the complete line of Macs to Apple silicon that should be complet...

What to do if you think you have malware on your Mac

05 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes when things start going wrong on your Mac, you may think you have malware. In this episode, Josh and Kirk discuss the possible signs of a ma...

Will Quantum Computing Change Computer Security?

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Quantum computing is just around the corner, and it will affect the way computer security works. Strong passwords and encryption will be cracked, and ...

5G Is Here: What Does This Mean for You?

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Kirk discuss 5G: what it is, how it works, and how fast it is. Is it worth getting a new iPhone 12 for 5G? Also, we look at another case of A...

Apple's New iPhone 12 and HomePod mini

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Kirk talk about Apple's announcement of the iPhone 12, and whether they plan to upgrade. They explain the point of the HomePod mini, and disc...

Three Years! And What's Next for Apple?

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Kirk celebrate three years of the Intego Mac Podcast, and we discuss what Apple is likely to announce next week. We also look at a useful tip...

Who Is Tracking You?

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple's Safari web browser has a new feature that prevents trackers from profiling you; we discuss how this works to protect you on the Mac and on iOS...

Beware Drive-By Downloads in Safari

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The popular fitness tracking app Strava can assist stalkers; Facebook is irked about European regulators; a new Bluetooth vulnerability takes a new ta...

New, New, New from Apple!

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple announced new Apple Watch models, updated iPads, a new fitness subscription service, and a subscription bundle, Apple One. While iOS 14 and iPad...

What if Apple Built a Search Engine?

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With Apple holding a new product event next week, we discuss recent speculation that Apple might be building a search engine. The discuss the implicat...

Apple Authorized Mac Malware

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

iOS 13.7 is out, with support for COVID-19 exposure notifications. Apple's clever new privacy ad highlights the way people give up personal data. Crim...

A Six-Digit Passcode Isn’t Strong Enough

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A Lightroom update has wiped user photos, and there's no way to get them back; malicious Chinese code in 1,200 iOS apps is collecting data and simulat...

Back That Mac Up

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New Mac malware targets the Xcode development environment, and Apple has know about it for more than a month, but didn't share the information with se...

How to Send Files Securely, and Why You Shouldn’t Use Tor

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple is planning on offering a bundle of services called Apple One, and we discuss how useful it might be. We mention new iOS and macOS updates, talk...

A New iMac, a Google Gotcha, and a Zoom Zinger

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple updated the 27" iMac this week, and it may be the last new desktop Mac running Intel processors, but should you buy this one or wait for Apple's...

How computer security is depicted in movies

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about an update on the Great Twitter Hack of 2020, discuss a ransomware attack on Garmin that shut down the company's services, and even its a...

Are smart locks really that smart?

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We follow up on the great Twitter hack of 2020, we discuss how a Cloudflare outage brought down many major websites, and Kirk tells a story of a suspi...

The Great Twitter Hack of 2020

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple issues another round of updates, hackers target organizations involved in coronavirus vaccine development, and there was a big Twitter hack wher...

An actual Mac virus, and 1 in 142 passwords is "123456"

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

While there is plenty of malware that affects the Mac, actual viruses are rare; but new malware has been found that does meet that description. We tal...

New Mac Ransomware-wiper-spyware ThiefQuest discovered

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New malware targeting the Mac was discovered this week; it's a hybrid ransomware-wiper-spyware, but you don't need to worry if you don't download pira...

What’s Coming in macOS Big Sur and iOS 14

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Apple announced the new features for its coming operating system updates: macOS Big Sur, and iOS 14. They also announced a big change to Ma...

We Can’t Be Safe without a Faraday Cage

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Intego has discovered new malware that propagates through poisoned Google search results. Zoom does a couple more u-turns. An App Store controversy is...

What Could Apple Switching to ARM Processors on Macs Mean for You?

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple has been making its own chips for iOS devices for a while now, and it seems likely that the company will announce a move to the same ARM-based p...

Polymorphic Viruses

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We begin by learning how Josh got interesting in computer security. We then discuss Apple patches and flaws, end-to-end encryption, coronavirus scams,...

Apple operating system updates, iPhone & iPad storage, and shooting video on an iPhone

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple updated all its operating systems again this week, but a jailbreak vulnerability was found quickly. We discuss the new contact tracing feature i...

Tips for using your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We look at some practical tips for getting more out of your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch. We take a close look at System Preferences, discuss using the ...

iCloud, Thunderbolt, WWDC, and North Korean Malware

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The date for this year's WWDC has been set (June 22). Many users don't know that the government can access some of your iCloud data (with a warrant). ...

It’s World Password Day; Why do we still use passwords?

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Passwords are easy to implement, but keeping them secure is not that simple. On World Password Day, Josh and Kirk discuss how passwords might be repla...

Don’t Share Your Apple ID (so a Friend Can Watch Apple TV+)

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Getting a text message on an iOS device can crash your iPhone or iPad; but it can't do any more harm than that. Apple has released a beta version of i...

Zero Day, Compromised Ad Servers, and the New iPad Magic Keyboard

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Every day is zero day in the security world. Researchers have found some serious vulnerabilities in iOS that affect the Mail app, and a fix is coming....

Contact Tracing, Phishing, and a New iPhone

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple has announced a new iPhone SE, a low-priced phone that's really the iPhone for everyone. Google and Apple are working on a contract tracing app,...

How Not to Get Phone Scammed

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A good friend of Kirk's, a very tech savvy guy, got scammed on the phone by someone pretending to be from his bank. We discuss how this happened, and ...

Zoom Is a Security and Privacy Nightmare (Zoomenfreude)

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of people have turned to Zoom to stay in touch with friends and family, and to work from home, but this software has had a huge number of securit...

Medical ID, Apple Updates, Intel Vulnerabilities, and More

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Kirk discuss how to set up a medical ID on an iPhone and Apple Watch, we cover this week's Apple updates, we look at a new Intel CPU bug, and...

How to Adapt to Working From Home

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Many people are required to work from home for the foreseeable future, so Josh and Kirk have decided to give some tips about working from home, someth...

The History of Apple Malware, with Guest John McAfee

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Malware has affected Apple computers since even before the release of the Macintosh. In fact, the very first computer virus that spread in the wild af...

RSA Conference 2020 Highlights

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Josh attended this year's RSA Conference, one of the big meet-ups about computer security, and discusses what he learned there. We also cover news abo...

10 Things You Shouldn’t Do on Your Work Computer or Phone

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Your work computer or phone doesn't belong to you, and you should be careful about what you do on these devices. Your employer can track you and all y...

Switching Default Apps on the iPhone and iPad

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Your iPhone or iPad comes with 36 default apps, including Mail, Safari, and Messages. You may want to use other apps for email, for browsing, and for ...

Understanding Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A child spends a fortune on in-app purchases, the CIA has been running a fake company providing encryption services, and beware of public lockers. We ...

How Security Analysts Work

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We explain how to delete "off-Facebook activity," discuss a Google Photos data leak, a Twitter phone number issue, and a man who created a traffic jam...

If It’s Free, You’re the Product

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple updates everything, the Ring doorbell has trackers in its app, and the Shlayer malware has infected lots of Macs. We then discussed a number of ...

iPhones Hacked and Cracked

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The world's richest man's iPhone was hacked when he clicked on a video in WhatsApp. Police and the FBI are cracking iPhones to get evidence. Should we...

Your Photos Can Tell People Where You Live

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Photos you shoot with your iPhone, and with some cameras, store location data. Sharing these photos on social media may pinpoint your location: where ...

The Year in Apple Security 2019

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We look back at the eventful year 2019 in Apple security. In the news, Apple is switching to randomized serial numbers for its products, Apple sues a ...

9 Security and Privacy Settings to Activate on Your New iPhone or iPad

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We cover some security news, such as a password breach at Zynga, a user database breach at Waze, and a new Apple patent for under-display biometric se...

8 Steps to Ensure the Security and Privacy of Your New Mac

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you got a new Mac for the holidays, there are a number of settings you can adjust to enhance its security and privacy. We discuss eight tips to mak...

Apple HomeKit and the Smart Home

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We take a close look at smart home technology and Apple's HomeKit, and also discuss why Vladimir Putin is still using Windows XP, another Ring camera ...

Mac Pro costs the same as Tesla Cybertruck

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Apple has released the new Mac Pro, along with updates for all its operating systems this week. Google Chrome gets a serious update, Google Maps gets ...

Twitter Trickery, Charging Insecurity, Cryptocurrency Malware, and More

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We follow up on our Black Friday purchases, then talk about some Twitter trickery, some Russian rigidity, some charging insecurity, some location conf...

The Chain of Trust

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Apple's two-factor authentication system sets up a chain of trust from one device to another. By ensuring your identity on one device, that device can...

Black Friday Safe Shopping Advice

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's Black Friday again, either the day we release this episode if you're in Europe, or next week, if you're in the US. It's the day when you can get ...

Vice President of Integrity

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss Apple's new 16" MacBook Pro with a redesigned keyboard; two new entrants in the video streaming market, Apple TV+ and Disney+; a bug in Fac...

iPad vs. MacBook: is iPadOS a game changer?

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With the release of iPadOS, the iPad has become a serious competitor to a laptop. While you can't do everything on an iPad that you can on a laptop, t...

admin / admin

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Apple has released a whole slew of security updates this week, stretching back quite far, and we discuss some of the changes, and also Apple's problem...

Depending on Your Threat Model...

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Samsung is foiled by screen protectors, users are spoofed by a clever two-factor authentication con, Firefox offers social tracking protection, and a ...

Developing a Security Mindset

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After a couple of news items, about Apple sending browsing data to Tencent in China, and a Google exec warning people to be wary of its smart home dev...

Getting Ready for Catalina

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Kirk celebrate the two-year anniversary of the podcast, and discuss getting ready to upgrade to Catalina, with tips on how to ensure that you...

Updates, Legit-Looking Lightning Cables, Malspam, and Touch ID

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Kirk discuss the many updates to iOS 13, how legit-looking lightning cables that can hack your devices will soon be on sale, how malspam most...

iOS Updates, New Amazon Hardware, an Apple Security Advisory, and New Apple Gear

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It hasn't been long, but Apple has already released iOS 13.1, and iPad OS 13.1, both initially scheduled for next week. Josh and Kirk discuss these up...

New Features in iOS, Smart TVs Spying on You, and More

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As iOS 13 is out, Josh and Kirk discuss its new features and what you can look forward to. They also discuss how smart TVs spy on you and send data ab...

Apple's New iPhone, and More

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Kirk celebrate episode 100 of the Intego Mac Podcast with special guest Dave Hamilton and discuss Apple's new iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Appl...

Twitter and Deepfakes

06 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Twitter's boss had his Twitter account hacked, and Twitter has disabled a feature from its earliest days, which let you tweet via SMS. Firefox's new u...

Everyone Is Listening!

30 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There's a recurring theme in security and privacy news lately, and that is the fact that everyone is listening. If you use Alexa, OK Google, or Siri, ...

Do Macs need an antivirus?

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There's a question we get asked often: do Macs really need an antivirus? Many people think that Macs are immune to malware, or that security software ...

Hacker Conventions

16 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Summer is when hackers get together to present and discuss malware, vulnerabilities, and exploits. Two big hacker conventions - Black Hat and DEF CON ...

Who’s Listening to Your Private Conversations?

09 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, we discussed how Apple was listening to some of your Siri requests. The company changed its policy, and Amazon and Google followed suit, bu...