With the digital world evolving rapidly; Providing complete security for computers has become almost impossible, as every operating system has vulnerabilities that can be exploited to penetrate it, and this is why Apple is working to increase the security of the macOS Catalina system - the latest version of the operating system for its computers - which it plans To be released next fall.
During its WWDC developer conference this year, Apple revealed a set of important features in the new version of the macOS Catalina operating system, most notably support for iPad applications, the replacement of the iTunes application with three entertainment applications, voice control, and additional enhancements to applications.
Today we're highlighting the top 6 security features coming to macOS Catalina this fall. The biggest changes you might notice are new permissions for apps like: screen recording apps, keyboard apps, or apps that write data to sensitive file system areas like: Documents, or desktop folders.
Whether you are a developer or just a customer of Apple, some of the changes will seem familiar if you have experience using iPhones and iPads, because some security improvements follow Apple's general trend, which is to bring the (Mac OS) MacOS system closer to operating systems. Mobile devices (iOS) and (iPad OS) iPadOS.
Providing a good level of security is the real challenge for tech companies in general, as they have to find the right balance between securing devices well and making them easy to use for ordinary people.
It is worth noting that the latest iPhone products contain more stringent built-in security elements, which are imposed through the App Store, but this is more difficult with Mac devices, as they are considered multi-purpose devices that provide ordinary users and developers with the power of performance.
Here are the top 6 security features that will come in Apple's macOS Catalina release this fall:
Mobile applications need your permission before allowing them to use the camera, a feature that prevents application developers from doing things such as: spying on you, or accessing your data, and macOS Catalina will provide Similar permissions for Mac devices.
Specifically; Apps will have to get your permission, especially screen recording or typing apps, but normal use of the keyboard just for typing does not require permission, but any keylogger app will.
As with smartphones, you only have to accept the permission once, and you can revoke the permission at any time if you change your mind, through Settings.
For more security and protection of your data in the macOS Catalina version, applications that want to access sensitive data and store files will ask for your permission first, and this feature is already present on smartphones, where you need Apps require your permission to access your contacts, photos, calendar data, and other important data.
For storage; Apps will need permission to access a number of folders, including: Desktop folders, Documents and Downloads folders, iCloud Drive, drive, or external cloud storage systems such as: Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive.
There is a security feature called Activation Lock on new Macs equipped with the T2 Security chip. This is to keep your device safe even if it falls into the wrong hands, and it can increase your chances of recovering the device, and even if you remotely erase all your data, this feature can still prevent anyone from reactivating your device, without accessing your login data , namely: Apple ID, and password.
The T2 Security Chip is found in the latest Macs such as the redesigned MacBook Air, which hit the market in 2018. Apple hopes Activation Lock will help deter thieves who will learn they can't use Macs stolen, or install a new copy of the operating system.
With the new Find My app, the location of a lost or stolen Mac can be securely and anonymously tracked, and information sent to its owner via other Apple devices, even without an Internet connection.
Modern versions of macOS come with a built-in security feature called Gatekeeper, designed to scan malicious applications.
Before, Gatekeeper scanned apps when they were first installed on a Mac, but starting with macOS Catalina, the feature will scan apps when you install them, and then scan them periodically. This extends protection from the source of the app; To include automated checks of what's inside the app.
Apple also makes an option called mandatory authentication for developers in Catalina, and Apple's authentication process checks for known malicious apps.
System software refers to the files and programs that make up the operating system, and includes: system files, function libraries, system services, drivers for accessories and other devices, system preferences, files other configuration.
As for the part of the user interface, which allows the operating system to interact with other devices, it is called (low-level system software), and in this part some developers write code that allows the device to interact with certain devices such as: webcams , or printers, in which case Apple directs developers to take a more secure approach.
In previous versions of MacOS, Apple allowed developers to write code that interacted directly with the low-level software of the operating system using kernel extensions or kexts. But now Apple has begun to gradually block kernel extensions in favor of system extensions, so that these programs run completely separate from the operating system like any other application, and they cannot affect the operating system if something goes wrong.
The release of macOS Catalina will be the last version of the macOS system that runs kernel extensions without any compromises, and in future versions, Apple will block kernel extensions,” Apple said.
The system files program—which controls how data is read and written to storage systems—is a distinct part of the operating system, and in macOS Catalina there are new restrictions designed to prevent software Malicious files from taking advantage of system files.
Mac OS files are stored in a dedicated portion of the read-only volume, which paves the way for features that prevent malware from overwriting or modifying essential Mac software. It also makes it easier to reset Macs in the same way as iPhones.
