HCS Blog

The dock is now MIA in the Apple Menu. It's still available in System Preferences.

Apps crash and burn. While crashes are frustrating now you have an avenue to help be part of the fix.  Help developers squash those bugs. In /System Preferences/Security & Privacy we now have the option to send crash data to developers. 

As one of its announcements during the release of OS X Yosemite, Apple introduced a long-awaited update to the Mac Mini, which brings next-generation Intel Haswell processors along with an additional Thunderbolt connection and 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity to the small Mac. However, one development noted by Macminicolo is that if you plan on purchasing one of these new minis, you will not be able to upgrade its RAM.

Apple provides between 4GB to 8GB of RAM in its Mac Minis as default options, with configurable options of 16GB for all models. Even though the upgrade from 8GB to 16GB will cost an extra $200, and from 4GB to 16GB will cost $300 for the cheapest mini, the extra capacity will ultimately be worth it when you consider future OS upgrades, and software demands that will inevitably require more out of your system over time.

Since the changes to SMB in recent versions of OS X Server, many printers that use the "scan to folder" destination, have ceased to function.  So FTP was a good alternative.  This just serves as a quick reference to make that happen properly.  If you go to the web administration page or on screen display of a Ricoh, Savin, or similar multifunction, it will ask for an FTP Server Name and Path.  For the server name, enter the IP address or FQDN of the server - do not put any slashes in the name.  For the path, leave it completely blank if you want it to go to the root of the FTP folder.  It is tempting to put the name of the FTP share point but this will not work.  If you wish to scan to a subfolder on the FTP share, enter the path like this /subfolder.  Again, do not enter the name of the FTP root folder.  Only place a slash and the name of the sub folder.

1.  Go to safe mode (shift + on together)

2.  When bar appears at bottom, let go of shift

3.  Click "Go" on top line- Hold option key- Click on "Library"

4.  Take "Saved Application State" and drag to trash can

5.  Go to Apple icon on top line & Press Restart

6.  Computer will turn off- then turn on

7.  Safari should now work properly    

Last week, Russian anti-virus firm Doctor Web disclosed a newly discovered piece of OS X malware known as Mac.BackDoor.iWorm that at the time had affected roughly 17,000 machines around the world. While the exact mechanism of infection was unclear, an interesting twist to the story involves compromised machines running search queries on Reddit to obtain instructions about which command and control servers should be used to manage the botnet.

Once connected to a command and control server, the backdoor opened by the malware on the user's system can receive instructions to perform a variety of tasks, from stealing sensitive information to receiving or spreading additional malware. 

In an effort to address the threat, Apple has now updated its "Xprotect" anti-malware system to recognize two different variants of the iWorm malware and prevent them from being installed on users' machines.