Apple releases Macs for the first time on its own – to block hackers.
Apple releases Macs for the first time on its own – to block hackers.
Apple releases Macs without prompting for the first time – a move aimed at blocking hackers. The automatic update safeguards devices against the security flaw CVE-2014-9295, which could let intruders take control of OS X and other Linux or Unix systems. Reuters reported that Apple spokesperson Bill Evans called the new release "seamless," noting users won’t need to restart their machines. This change isn’t unique; other companies have faced similar vulnerabilities uncovered by government agencies and research institutions. Experts caution that network time protocol issues could let attackers remotely compromise computers, emphasizing the importance of quickly addressing exploitable flaws. Security analyst Ken Westin highlights that while Apple’s approach is proactive, it carries risks if updates affect certain applications. He suggests users who prefer manual control can disable automatic updates via the Apple Menu settings.