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Archive of February 22nd to 26th, 2021 News Go to Current News Page
Mac Upgrades/Mods | Storage | Video | Audio/Home Theater | Tips/OS Updates/WiFi
= Recent Articles/Updates =
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macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 (build 20D80) released
Info from What's new in macOS Big Sur 11.2.2:
"macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 prevents MacBook Pro (2019 or later) and MacBook Air (2020 or later) models from incurring damage when they are connected to certain third-party, non-compliant powered USB-C hubs and docks."
Apple's security updates page says the update has no published CVE entries.
(If you have trouble, try updating from Safe Mode.)
I'm not running Big Sur, but watching Apple's Big Sur, Mac Mini, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air forums for early feedback. (Was hoping it fixes CVM Server crashes, including from DVD playback.)
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Little Snitch version 5.1.1 Update
Feb. 26th dated Little Snitch 5.1.1 update for macOS Big Sur.
Info from the release notes for version 5.1.1:
"This patch release fixes a possible loss of network connectivity due to a crash of the Little Snitch network extension. This crash could occur when an application used the QUIC protocol. This protocol is a replacement for HTTPS which is used primarily by Google Chrome and its derivatives when connecting to Google servers."
(The Feb. 23rd v5.1 update had a long list of improvements and bug fixes.)
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Safari Technology Preview 121
See the release notes for a complete list of improvements & bug fixes.
A download is available for macOS Big Sur and Catalina.
(If a previous version is installed, use software update in System Prefs.) |
Micromat Lifespan 1.0.2 update
Changes in Lifespan ("safety monitor for flash media") v1.0.2 (use in-app update check):
- Updated for macOS 11 'Big Sur' support.
- Fixed an issue in which valid SSDs would report as "not supported."
- Fixed an intermittent NVMe crashing issue.
- Fixed issue reading updated drive database.
- Updated Sparkle update framework to version 1.25.0.
- Other minor fixes and enhancements.
Requirements:
- Intel-based Mac.
- OS X 10.10 or greater, including macOS 11 Big Sur.
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Micromat Drive Scope 1.2.11 update
Changes in Drive Scope version 1.2.11 (use in-app update check):
- Fixed an application crasher at launch.
- Corrected a drive database format change.
- Updated Sparkle update framework to version 1.25.0.
- Other minor fixes and enhancements.
(Drive Scope version 1.2.10 changes listed Big Sur compatibility.)
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Apple/Products related News, Tips, Updates, PR (later first)
- Apple Big Sur forum thread on some websites using GBs of Memory.
- Includes Activity monitor screenshots from a M1 MacBook Air (8GB ram).
(Heavy M1 swap file use has caused some concern on impact to SSD lifespan.)
- The mystery of the Silver Sparrow Mac malware (malwarebytes)
- Late Feb. Apple forums posts on malware (name) "will damage your computer".
(March 8th MacOS 11.2.3 & Safari 14.0.3 fix a malicious web content vulnerability.)
Posts on CleanParameterd, Original Moduled, ActivityInputd, DominantPartitiond, InitialSkilld, RecordMapperd, StandardBoostd, & "ManagerAnalogd" (here & here).
There's other examples in both the Catalina & Big Sur forums. Some have removal info.
(Typically using free version of https://www.malwarebytes.com.)
Check System Preferences > Network > Advanced > Proxies (Uncheck any Proxy).
Also check if a "Profiles" preference pane exists. (If so, delete unrecognized profiles.)
Check in ~/Library/LaunchAgents, /Library/LaunchDaemons, /Library/LaunchAgents.
One post said his browser search engine had also been changed (serving ads), so check browser extensions/addons, and clear browser cache/cookies.
- Apple wins a patent for advanced monitors based on a new Micro-LED Chiplet Architecture (ledinside)
- Apple's Advanced Manufacturing Fund helps COPAN Diagnostics ship millions of COVID-19 test kits (apple)
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This week's Apple Support/How-To/Troubleshooting Article Updates
Page of How-To, Troubleshooting & Tips for Mac/OS X/iOS Users from Airplay to Thunderbolt. |
Other News and Software Updates
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Recent Updates, Tips, DIY Upgrades and Repairs: List of Updates, DIY Upgrades, Repair Articles, Tips and more you may have missed. (Topics range from OS/software/driver updates and troubleshooting, to hardware upgrades and repairs.)
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Previous News Archives:
For links to older news pages, see the Archives.
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