Teams of software experts have discovered a bug in both Intel and AMD processors that can allow malicious code access to confidential information.  Some patches are currently available, but not all aspects are fixable at the moment.  This issue is serious and effects Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS and Linux as well as as mobile devices Apple iOS and Google ChromeBooks.  Basically anything with an Intel or AMD effected CPU. Keep up to date on your patches, Retire old Out of Service Operating systems.  Yes people are still using XP, 2003, etc. It’s time for them to go away finally.  No patches will come out for older OS making them just huge targets. Keep your OS and AV up to date or just ask us about RMM and WebRoot. Read more in the links below. https://www.pcworld.com/article/3245606/security/intel-x86-cpu-kernel-bug-faq-how-it-affects-pc-mac.html http://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/01/04/intel_amd_arm_cpu_vulnerability/  

Now might be a good time to put a spotlight on Apple’s under-the-hood technologies in macOS that ensure critical patches auto-download and install themselves on

Source: How Apple’s little-known feature in macOS has helped save the day today

The bug affects macOS High Sierra users.

Source: Apple macOS High Sierra flaw allows admin access without password – Nov. 28, 2017

Cisco Talos today warned of a flaw in the X.509 certificate validation feature of Apple macOS and iOS that could let an attacker remotely execute code and steal information.

Source: Cisco Talos warns of Apple iOS and MacOS X.509 certificate flaw

You may already have heard about this.  If not, read more below.  In Any event, get ready for some serious/critical patches in the near future. Adobe Flash has a significant number of Vulnerabilities so bottom line, if you don’t need it on your computer Don’t Install it or Uninstall it and you have one less source of stress.  Unless you are one of the fortunate (#Sarcasm) that needs it for some mission critical software you use.  In that case.  My heart felt condolences and contact us about keeping up to date.

Adobe is working on an emergency patch for its Flash Player after attackers are reportedly exploiting a critical flaw.

Source: Adobe to issue emergency patch for Flash vulnerability

Do you feel safer now that the government can hack into your iPhone?  You shouldn’t.  1 reason is that it did not invent this hack. It was discovered by an outside company.  It is believed that it is from an Israeli firm, so not even US based.  Will the government disclose this method to Apple or the people effected by it?  Very Doubtful.  This is like having a combination lock on your front door that an unknown number of people have the code too.  Now do you feel safe?  Read more on dailydot.com below.

‘We are in this together,’ said the FBI’s letter to local cops.

Source: FBI offers its new iPhone hack to local law enforcement agencies

I have Good News and Bad News on the FBI vs. Apple front.  The good news is the FBI managed to gain access to the phone without Apple’s help.  The Bad News?  That this now means that there is a hack out there that allows people to gain access to data on your encrypted phone without your approval.  Yes, you are now less secure.  Will the FBI publish this exploit now that it knows about it?  Doubtful.  While it might like to keep this trick to itself for future use, it is by not disclosing this making ALL iPhone users less secure.  How hard would it be for a foreign government to do the same thing?  Hackers?  Read more below on the Register.

It’s all over! Egg and FBI faces in perfect alignment

Source: US govt says it has cracked killer’s iPhone, legs it from Apple fight

The moral of most tech stories?  If it doesn’t work Reboot.  Or as the IT Crowd would say “Have you tried powering it off and on again?”  😉Mac users who rely on apps provided through Apple’s App Store are facing some confusion today after an error caused by Apple erroneously told them that they had to re-install their applications.

Source: Apple flub leaves users confused over ‘damaged’ apps

Finally!  A feature you probably didn’t know you wanted.  If you want this you may have to call AT&T to get it activated on your phone.  Some accounts have HD Voice turned off.  Mine did.  You might have to argue with your AT&T tech a bit about the service being available as it just came out today 10-08-2015 according to my AT&T service tech.    Read more on TechCrunch.com below.

After being promised Wi-Fi calling for over a year by Apple and AT&T…it’s finally here. It’s available for iPhone 6, 6+ and 6S and 6S+ AT&T customers with iOS 9. You’ll have to go…

Source: Wi-Fi Calling Finally Comes To The iPhone For AT&T Customers | TechCrunch

Beware the Wi-Fi Assist!  If you are like most cellular users you don’t have unlimited data.  Now if you have spotty Wi-Fi you may inadvertently be using your cellular data while you are innocently sitting at home.  On AT&T?  That could cost you $15/GB for ever Gig over.  Watching Netflix could cost you a lot more than you think. (Read more on NetworkWorld below) The web has practically been clogged this week with posts providing tips about Apple’s new iOS 9 mobile operating system: Good thing Apple added Wi-Fi Assist to make sure you’re on the best connection possible to read all that stuff. Or maybe not. Source: Apple iOS 9 Wi-Fi Assist: Threat, Menace or Neither? | Network World