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TidBITS#1121/09-Apr-2012

In the news this week, we report on Dropbox doubling their referral bonuses — even retroactively! — and the notable release of FileMaker 12. Also, Adam looks in depth at the fast-moving Flashback malware, which has reportedly infected 600,000 Mac users, and he describes how to determine if you’re infected and how to avoid falling prey to Flashback. Continuing on the security kick, Rich Mogull explains just how the security of cloud-based services works and how you can tell if employees of your cloud provider can read your data. Notable software releases this week include TinkerTool 4.8, Hazel 3.0.4, SpamSieve 2.9, and App Tamer 1.2.1.

Adam Engst 37 comments

How to Detect and Protect Against Updated Flashback Malware

Apple has released an update to its Java runtime engine to, among other things, fix a vulnerability that’s been exploited by variants of the Flashback malware. Doctor Web, an antivirus software developer in Russia, says as many as 600,000 Macs have been infected with the malware. We run down what’s known about Flashback and how you can protect yourself.

TidBITS Staff No comments

ExtraBITS for 9 April 2012

Read on for a comprehensive look from Stephen Fry at how Apple’s competitors have repeatedly dropped the ball since the release of the iPhone, and a perspective-setting article from Nick Bilton of the New York Times about how companies other than Apple that use questionable Chinese labor to manufacture devices have been suspiciously silent about the issue.