After weeks of speculation, Apple has released a comprehensive update for Mac OS X Snow Leopard, officially moving to version 10.6.3.
The update includes a large number of improvements to various aspects of the operating system, including a new feature that will give users the option of anonymously sending system diagnostic and usage data to Apple in order to document problems. QuickTime X also sees a number of upgrades.
Most significantly though, this update includes many security-related fixes. The update actually addresses 88 separate vulnerabilities, including potential security holes in QuickTime, Disk Image, Directory Services, the Application Firewall, and more.
The security aspect of the 10.6.3 update was probably the most highly anticipated by Mac users, especially after security expert Charlie Miller revealed that he had personally discovered 20 zero-day vulnerabilities in Mac OS X earlier in March. Incidentally, Miller himself isn’t directly credited in the update, and this may leave some doubt as to whether the vulnerabilities of which he spoke have all been fixed with this update.
Users can download the update from the Apple website or through Mac OS X Software Update.
Related posts:
- Security Update 2010-003 for Mac OS X Released
- Security Expert Finds Fault With Mac OS X
- Security Vulnerabilities Fix Coming for Snow Leopard 10.6.3
- Security Update for Photoshop CS4 Released
- Mac Security Problems Exposed at Pwn2Own
