New reports say that Gatekeeper keeps devices running Apple OS X decently safe, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t use a bit of work. Cupertino dealt with one particular problem with the operating system in the fall of 2015, but they’re scrutinizing the system one more time for good measure.
Apple Gives Gatekeeper an Upgrade
First introduced in 2012, Gatekeeper came alongside the Mountain Lion OS X update. It;s main mission is to keep users away from downloading malicious apps from uncertified app stores and pirated app stores. Apple introduced it after seeing how these were the main causes for malware infections in Windows OS. Since 2012, Apple has repeatedly claimed that Mac malware exists, contrary to popular belief.
Mac is Definitely Safer than Windows… Right?
Apple OS X has long been thought to be safer than at least Windows OS. That doesn’t mean it isn’t without its drawbacks. Some experts have found simple ways to bypass Gatekeeper’s protection, and entire organizations host contests to see who can hack into Apple devices and how fast they can do it.
Patrick Wardle: Apple OS X and Gatekeeper’s Savior
After even Cupertino intervened to strengthen the system, hackers have found ways to bypass it and install malicious programs such as password loggers, audio and video capture applications and botnet software. Some claim it took them as little as five minutes to hack Gatekeeper.
One Patrick Wardle is presenting a hack called ‘Exposing Gatekeeper’, at ShmooCon in Washington DC. This presentation will highlighting the weaknesses in Gatekeeper. Apple is pretty quick to pick up on these issues and fix them. But as long as people find an app that can be abused and exploited to manipulate the system, Gatekeeper will not get any safer. Wardle will be discussing the system in technical terms, with patch analysis and details on how exactly he bypassed Gatekeeper. As the icing on the cake, he will be providing the conference with a tool that will automatically repel these malicious attacks to protect OS X users. This guy is definitely one of the good ones, and we can expect Apple to be paying full attention and taking notes.
