Apple’s latest operating system release, OS X Mountain Lion, introduces several new security features, many of which are tied to purchases and downloads from the Mac App Store. In this Short Cut, we cover new security technologies such as Gatekeeper, the App Sandbox, runtime protection, the Password Assistant, and the Privacy Controls preference pane. We also explain security-related enhancements to OS X, including Safari anti-phishing, parental controls, Find my iPhone, Downloaded file alerts, and FileVault 2.
Activities like text-editing, watching movies, or managing personal finances are all accomplished with web-based solutions nowadays. The providers need to ensure security and privacy of user data. To that end, passwords are still the most common authentication method on the web. They are inexpensive and easy to implement. Users are largely accustomed to this kind of authentication but passwords represent a considerable nuisance, because they are tedious to create, remember, and maintain. In many cases, usability issues turn into security problems, because users try to work around the challenges and create easily predictable credentials. Often, they reuse their passwords for many purposes, which aggravates the risk of identity theft. There have been numerous attempts to remove the root of the problem and replace passwords, e.g., through biometrics. However, no other authentication strategy can fully replace them, so passwords will probably stay a go-to authentication method for the foreseeable future. Researchers and practitioners have thus aimed to improve users' situation in various ways. There are two main lines of research on helping users create both usable and secure passwords. On the one hand, password policies have a notable impact on password practices, because they enforce certain characteristics. However, enforcement reduces users' autonomy and often causes frustration if the requirements are poorly communicated or overly complex. On the other hand, user-centered designs have been proposed: Assistance and persuasion are typically more user-friendly but their influence is often limited. In this thesis, we explore potential reasons for the inefficacy of certain persuasion strategies. From the gained knowledge, we derive novel persuasive design elements to support users in password authentication. The exploration of contextual factors in password practices is based on four projects that reveal both psychological aspects and real-world constraints. Here, we investigate how mental models of password strength and password managers can provide important pointers towards the design of persuasive interventions. Moreover, the associations between personality traits and password practices are evaluated in three user studies. A meticulous audit of real-world password policies shows the constraints for selection and reuse practices. Based on the review of context factors, we then extend the design space of persuasive password support with three projects. We first depict the explicit and implicit user needs in password support. Second, we craft and evaluate a choice architecture that illustrates how a phenomenon from marketing psychology can provide new insights into the design of nudging strategies. Third, we tried to empower users to create memorable passwords with emojis. The results show the challenges and potentials of emoji-passwords on different platforms. Finally, the thesis presents a framework for the persuasive design of password support. It aims to structure the required activities during the entire process. This enables researchers and practitioners to craft novel systems that go beyond traditional paradigms, which is illustrated by a design exercise.
The most up-to-date coverage on the latest iMac advice, tools, and shortcuts Cool and useful tips, full-color screenshots, and savvy advice show you how to get the most out of your iMac. Fully updated to cover the iMac's latest features and capabilities, this guide is packed with indispensible information on iLife ’09 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard, and shows you how to customize your iMac in a way that it will work best for you. Explores all the bells and whistles of the iMac, including the new Magic Mouse, iLife apps such as iPhoto and iMovie, and Mac OS X Snow Leopard Shows you how to get more from your iMac, whether you’re switching from an older Mac or migrating from Windows Provides you with the most up-to-date, accessible, useful information on the most used features of the iMac Covers troubleshooting and maintaining your iMac and its related hardware and software Discover ways to get more from your iMac with iMac Portable Genius, Second Edition by your side.
Create and manage strong passwords that keep your data safe without taxing your memory! Suffering from password overload or anxiety? Set your mind at ease with friendly assistance from Mac expert Joe Kissell! You'll learn how to assess risk factors and devise a personal plan for generating different types of passwords, using Joe's special system for creating strong passwords that are easy to remember but virtually impossible to crack. The book also explains how to work with all the different passwords on your Mac (account login, master, root, firmware, email, AirPort, keychains), teaches you how to use Apple's Keychain Access password manager, provides pointers for using passwords on the Web, and includes tips for preventing password-related problems. For those who want to go beyond Keychain Access for features like higher security or PDA syncing, Joe describes likely options and provides money-saving coupons. Read this ebook to learn the answers to questions such as: Can my Mac automatically log me in to Web sites? What are good ways to generate new passwords? How can I come up with strong but easily remembered passwords? What are good techniques for tracking impossible-to-remember passwords? How should I set up the passwords that control access to my Mac? What are the best ways to use Apple's Keychain to manage passwords?
Your essential, no-holds-barred guide to Mac security threats and solutions Myth number one: Macs are safer than PCs. Not really, says author Joe Kissell, named one of MacTech's "25 Most Influential People" in the Mac community for 2008. In this timely guide, he not only takes you beyond the myths, he also delves into the nitty-gritty of each potential threat, helping you weigh the pros and cons of the solutions you might choose. Learn to measure risk versus inconvenience, make informed decisions, and protect your Mac computers, your privacy, and your data with this essential guide. Explains the security threats to Macs, including data in transit from your e-mail or network, and malware such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses; these threats, formerly the exclusive worry of PC users, now increasingly threaten Macs Explores physical security and hardware barriers, software settings, third-party solutions, and more Shows Mac OS X users how to develop and enforce security policies Covers security for Windows running on a Mac with Boot Camp, virtualization software such as Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, and more Learn the full range of options you need to consider to make your Mac safe. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
Build and manage a powerful network on Mac OS X Server Boost productivity and foster collaboration using the powerful networking tools available in Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server. With clear, detailed explanations and step-by-step instructions, Mac OS X System Administration shows you how to plan, construct, and manage a high-performance Mac-based network. You'll learn how to do everything from planning and installing the network from scratch to backing up both clients and servers to recovering from disaster. Plan the wired, wireless, or combination network your organization needs Build the network and install Mac OS X Server Secure the network using firewalls, encryption, and SSL authentication Harness the power of Open Directory to organize and manage the network Create user accounts, set up groups, and control which applications and features users can access Set up and manage file sharing, print, Web, and e-mail services Install applications automatically both before and after deploying the Macs Enable remote access to the network via VPN Add iPhones and iPod touches to the network Guy Hart-Davis is the bestselling author of more than 50 computer books, including AppleScript: A Beginner's Guide, Mac OS X Leopard QuickSteps, HTML, XHTML & CSS QuickSteps, and How to Do Everything: iPod, iPhone, & iTunes.
Thinking of making the switch from your PC to a Mac? Congratulations! You’re in for a great, virus-free ride. And Switching to Mac For Dummies makes it smoother than you ever imagined. From buying the Mac that’s right for you to transferring your files to breaking your old Windows habits and learning to do things the (much easier) Mac way, it makes the whole process practically effortless. Whether you’ve been using Windows XP, Vista, or even Linux, you’ll find simple, straightforward ways to make your transition go smoothly. That will leave you plenty of time to get familiar with Mac’s prodigious and dynamic OS X capabilities. You’ll also connect with iLife, Mac’s amazing integrated software suite that lets you turn your computer into a powerful media center—not just for listening and watching, but for creating music, video, and much more. Discover how to: Decide whether the switch to Mac is right for you Choose the Mac that will change your life Keep and reuse elements of your old setup Go online with your Mac Connect to your home network—even that old PC Go media crazy with iTunes, iPhoto and more Take advantage of Mac’s business capabilities Complete with handy cheat sheet of common Mac short cuts and commands as well as a glossary of Mac world lingo, Switching to Mac For Dummies ensures that your switch will be the smartest thing you ever do.
What makes Windows refugees decide to get a Mac? Enthusiastic friends? The Apple Stores? Great-looking laptops? A "halo effect" from the popularity of iPhones and iPads? The absence of viruses and spyware? The freedom to run Windows on a Mac? In any case, there’s never been a better time to switch to OS X—and there’s never been a better, more authoritative book to help you do it. The important stuff you need to know: Transfer your stuff. Moving files from a PC to a Mac by cable, network, or disk is the easy part. But how do you extract your email, address book, calendar, Web bookmarks, buddy list, desktop pictures, and MP3 files? Now you’ll know. Recreate your software suite. Many of the PC programs you’ve been using are Windows-only. Discover the Mac equivalents and learn how to move data to them. Learn Yosemite. Apple’s latest operating system is faster, smarter, and more in tune with iPads and iPhones. If Yosemite has it, this book covers it. Get the expert view. Learn from Missing Manuals creator David Pogue—author of OS X Yosemite: The Missing Manual, the #1 bestselling Mac book on earth.
If you want to get the very most out of Mac OS X Snow Leopard, put this savvy Portable Genius guide to work. Want to quickly access the most useful features, apps, and utilities? Customize the desktop and make it your own? Install Xcode Developer Tools or learn UNIX tricks? Automate repetitive tasks? You'll find cool and useful Genius tips, full-color screenshots, and pages of easy-to-access shortcuts and tools that will save you loads of time and let you enjoy your Mac OS X Snow Leopard to the max.
The visual learner’s ultimate guide to the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and macOS Catalina Teach Yourself VISUALLY MacBook is your ultimate guide to getting up and running quickly with your new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air! Whether you’re new to computers or transitioning from a PC, this graphics-heavy guide will show you everything you need to know to get the most out of your new laptop. Clear, step-by-step instructions walk you through each task, with screenshots that help you follow along with confidence. You’ll learn how to manage files, work with macOS software, organize photos and media, set up email, access the internet, and adjust settings and preferences to make your MacBook work the way you work. You’ll also explore the features that bring computing to a whole new level, including iCloud, FaceTime, the App Store, and so much more! The Mac has long inspired a legion of loyal fans, and you’re about to find out why. From sleek design to intuitive interface, to an OS that just works, Apple has cornered the market on the high-end computing experience. The MacBook makes sublime computing portable, and this book shows you how to take advantage of all that your MacBook has to offer. MacOS Catalina gives you more of everything you love about Mac. Prepare yourself to experience music, TV, and podcasts in newly designed Mac apps. You can now enjoy your favorite iPad apps on Mac, and even extend your workspace and expand your creativity with iPad and Apple Pencil. Packed with new features and updates to the apps Apple users love, you can now take everything you do up the next level. Get acquainted with the latest macOS version Cataline, and its new features Perform everyday tasks quickly and easily Customize preferences and settings to suit your needs Download new apps, video chat, save to the cloud, and much more! No confusing tech-speak, no vague instructions, and no complex tangents into obscure tasks. This friendly guide is packed with screenshots, easy-to-follow instructions, and a practical sensibility; you’re not launching the space shuttle, you just want to open your email. If you’re ready to explore all that your MacBook can do, Teach Yourself VISUALLY MacBook is your ideal companion.
