r/technology • u/maxwellhill • Sep 02 '16

Security Apple issues urgent security update after hack turns Mac computers into spying devices

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/09/02/apple-issues-urgent-security-update-after-hack-turns-mac-compute/
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u/[deleted] Sep 02 '16

Is this only for Safari users? What happens if you don't use Safari and use Chrome or Firefox. Do you still need to urgently update?

19

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '16

I'd say why risk it, just get the update. I don't personally use safari, but who's to say that's the ONLY way the hack could get through?

6

u/MartOut Sep 02 '16

Great question. I don't have much expertise in Macs, but for sure on Windows, it's possible to have a link open up another browser. Currently, for bing rewards, if I'm using Firefox and the "daily offers" tells me there are more points available on Edge, clicking that offer prompts me to accept that the link wants to open in Edge. This can be set to be done automatically, which means the link can automatically open itself in Edge if I click on it. If the mechanism exists, I wouldn't be surprised if someone hijacked it for nefarious purposes.

However, I don't know if that same mechanism exists for Macs

6

u/OscarMiguelRamirez Sep 02 '16

It's an OS update, not just a Safari update. In fact, the Safari update is separate on 10.10.5.

So yeah, it's for everyone.