Apple Forcing Panther Upgrade for Security Patch

[DS1]

Apple Computer's latest version of its Mac OS X operating system, Panther, patches security flaws that affect previous versions of the operating system, leaving security experts wondering if users will have to pay the $129 upgrade fee to be secure.

Oh how lovely, that's a pretty expensive service pack if you ask me :7

[GOPisEvil]

1. *snicker* At least when Windows issues a patch, it's free.

:P

[Art_from_Ark]

4. Um, when Apple issues a patch, it's free, too

The post sounds like so much BS to me.

[trotsky]

2. WHAT?!?!?

Mac OS has security flaws?!?

No way! I thought it was perfect, unlike that horrible M$ Windows!

</sarcasm>

[emulatorloo]

3. Um. where's the link?

Where did you hear this? Got a link?


BTW, Apple publishes free software updates (including security updates) for prev versions of OS X (i.e., 10.0 10.1 10.2) as needed. So I am expecting that your source for this info has some confusion.

[Atman]

5. It is true and it isn't

Panther came out last week. I bought it, it is awesome.

Then, this week, some "independent analyst" issued a warning that they found vulnerablities in OSX (Jaquar), but since the OS has already been updated, and the vulnerabilities are not in the Panther release, people should just go ahead and upgrade anyway. It was a Yahoo technology headline yesterday.

EDIT -- Here is the link about the security patch. It sounds like a pretty remote threat, but then, I don't know squat about hacking. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=77&ncid=77&e=5&u=/mc/20031029/tc_mc/stakeissuessecurityadvisoriesforosxjaguar

Apple is not involved, as far as I can tell. I'm not surprised that Windows people would expect shoddy trade practices are involved...they're certainly used to it. But it doesn't fit Apple's M.O. They beat Wall Street last quarter, are swimming in cash, and there is no reason to risk such a potentially disastrous PR debacle and alienate the loyal Apple customers.

[leftofthedial]

6. as opposed to Microsludge

which has forced us to pay for grossly INSECURE shit software for two decades now.

[DS1]

7. OK, so I forgot the link, here it is from C|Net

http://news.com.com/2100-7355_3-5098688.html?tag=nefd_top

[emulatorloo]

8. Re-read the story, it is all based on speculation mixed w FUD

"However, Apple apparently doesn't intend to fix the flaws in previous versions of the software: Apple's Security Updates Web page doesn't list fixes for the flaws in Mac OS X 10.2 and earlier."

Notice the word "apparently."

They then quote David Goldsmith from @Stake, (who Apple thanks for discovering the issues BTW). Cnet quotes him as saying "In my initial conversations with them, they said they weren't going to fix 10.2, but I wouldn't be surprised if they change that."

We don't know who he was talking to. Somebody who has the power to make decisions? Note that he thinks they will fix 10.2

Then they bring out the analysts, who are basically just talking off the top of their heads and trying to be controversial so they will get more calls to spout off on C/Net and build their businesses.

Here's a site that's good reading on the the "flaws" and what actually mean. Title is
"New Security Holes In OS X? Not Really" His last paragraph is interesting too re the firing of an exec from @Stake in September for his criticism of MS security holes.

http://www.apple-x.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=581&mode=thread&order=1&thold=0