Mac OS X Mountain Lion adds default security patches like Microsoft
Apple’s website says Macs are built to be safe, and that’s true. It’s just interesting that Apple is taking a page out of Microsoft’s playbook with its latest operating system.
Mac OS X Mountain Lion, which is expected to be released sometime in mid- to late-July, is going to automatically install required security patches for its users, which is right in line with Microsoft’s practices. Developers received an update this week called “Security Test Update Test 1.0″
Earlier this year, Apple faced its first big security snafu when the Flashback malware attack occurred. Recently, Apple changed some marketing materials on its website that said Macs don’t get PC viruses. Today it says Macs are built to be safe.
There’s clearly a difference.
Up until this week, there has been very little said about security updates in Mountain Lion. According to the update, the operating system will check for updates daily. Apple’s current operating system checks weekly. It will also have the ability to install required security updates automatically or after restarting your Mac.
Computer World is reporting that Apple is also expected to beef up its security connections between customers’ Macs and its update servers, “hinting at the same kind of improvement in encryption that Microsoft made this month after Flame, an advanced super-spy kit, was found to fake Windows Update downloads.”
Developers across the web are noting that security updates are popping up in Mountain Lion’s notification center — one of the new key features that’s bridging the gap between the Mac and the iPad. The new operating system is also expected to utilize iOS’s GameCenter, Reminders and iMessages, which is currently in beta.
It’s unclear, but unlikely that Apple will add these new security features to any of its current or past operating systems.
Mountain Lion will be sold through the Mac App Store for $19.99.
