At every opportunity, Apple touts the security advantages of controlling both software and hardware: it's why the “It just works” slogan has become synonymous with the company. Still, Apple now has to address an industry-wide issue that leaves a portion of Macs vulnerable to hacker attacks.
I was having this problem with my Mac mini, where the sound didn't work. I was beginning to get quite frustrated about this, but I found a solution on the Ap. Mac mini features the Apple T2 Security Chip — second-generation custom Mac silicon designed by Apple to make Mac mini even more secure. The T2 Security Chip consolidates several controllers into one, and includes a Secure Enclave coprocessor that provides the foundation for encrypted storage and secure boot capabilities. Game Title Rating Total Downloads; Super Star Wars - Empire Strikes Back: 5/5: 23,665: Super Strike Eagle: 5/5: 25,310: Tiny Toons - Wild And Wacky Sports (V1.1). Restoring the SMC is especially recommended if your Mac has one or more of the following problems: Cooling: Your Mac’s fans are constantly running at high speed while you use very little CPU.
The Problem
2010 Mac Pro Smc Chip
The flaw, discovered by security researchers at Duo Labs, is in the EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware, which sits beneath the operating system. EFI is the BIOS replacement originally developed by Intel that aims to overcome the limitations of the PC BIOS. Due to the firmware's level of privileges, if a hacker can gain access to it then their attack cannot be detected. That changes with macOS 10.13 High Sierra, which contains a tool validating the authenticity of the firmware running on the Mac.
Download CleanMyMac X from MacPaw’s website and clean up to 500MB of junk data from your computer while enjoying all the features of the software without major limitations.
The vulnerability allowed the CIA, for example, to spy on targeted Mac users, as a so-called Vault 7 cache of secret CIA documents released by WikiLeaks show. The catch is that the flaw isn't new and seems to require physical access to the Mac in order to work.
What Does That Mean to Mac Users?
After analyzing 73,000 Macs currently in use, Duo Labs has discovered a discrepancy between the firmware versions they expected the machines to be running and the actual EFI version installed. That leaves a security hole in the system, because although users might have the latest OS version installed, if the EFI firmware is an older version, it lacks the latest fixes of known firmware issues.
Apple released EFI updates separately, but since 2015 the EFI update is bundled in the software update Apple has been pushing out to users. However, if you are running one of the 16 Mac models identified by Duo Labs, there is a chance that your system hasn’t received any EFI update at all: iMac 7,1 to 10,1, MacBook 5,1 and 5,2, MacBook Air 2,1 and more.
How You Can Check the EFI Firmware Version
You can check what EFI version your system is running by clicking on the Apple menu and selecting About This Mac > System Report > Hardware. In the hardware overview section macOS displays the Model Identifier, the Boot ROM version and the SMC version number your Mac is running.
You can compare that to the firmware update number Apple lists in a support document dedicated to EFI and SMC updates for Intel-based Mac computers. Apple has stopped updating that page since September 2017.
How to Update the Firmware
If the firmware version displayed in the hardware overview is older than that listed for your Mac, then download the firmware and apply the update. Or update the operating system to at least macOS 10.12.6 Sierra, because this will include all the necessary security updates and the correct firmware.
It's important to identify your Mac model, because that's how to correctly determine which firmware you’re on and how to install the necessary update. macOS won't let you install firmware that's not developed for the model you are trying to update.
The problem is that macOS won't alert users if an EFI update has failed to install on the hardware. Therefore it’s important the user checks manually, since they won't be able to close the backdoor that hackers can access to eavesdrop or steal sensitive information, and neither can Mac optimization apps. While CleanMyMac, MacKeeper, CCleaner, OnyX and the like are highly capable apps for keeping your Mac clean, they cannot alert users about the EFI firmware vulnerability.
Unfortunately, the same goes for anti-malware apps such as MalwareBytes, due to the EFI's nature of operating beneath the operating system software. As a result we recommend spending a couple of seconds to ensure your Mac is secure by checking if it is running the latest firmware version and, if not, upgrading as soon as you can.
EFI vulnerability isn't just related to Apple. Duo Labs has said that it has chosen the Apple ecosystem as it offered the most consistent data when compared to Microsoft's Windows PCs running Intel chips. As demonstrated by hackers years ago, the EFI flaw has been present in Windows PCs, allowing hackers to exploit it and install ransomware.
Best Mac Optimization Software of 2020
| Rank | Company | Info | Visit |
| |||
| |||
|
Get the Best Deals on Mac Optimization Software
Stay up to date on the latest tech news and discounts on Mac optimization software with our monthly newsletter.
While your Mac will most likely give you years of service with no problems, you may find that from time to time you experience issues with your Mac’s cooling fans running at a high-speed, or your MacBook’s battery won’t charge, or it won’t even turn on. It could be all your Mac needs is to have its System Management Controller (SMC) reset.
What’s a System Managment Controller (SMC)?
The System Management Controller controls and manages your Mac’s system hardware controlling its power consumption, battery charging and battery function, thermal and fan activity, LED lighting for keyboards and displays, GPU functionality, sleep and wake, and other hardware functionality.
Why do I Need to Reset the SMC? (Apologies to Jeff Foxworthy)
If your Mac’s cooling fan(s) run constantly at a high speed, even when no heavy lifting is being done by the CPU, you might need to reset the SMC.
If your Mac isn’t turning on, or it won’t go to sleep, or you’re experiencing random shutdowns and reboots, or your Mac’s battery won’t charge, you might need to reset the SMC.
If your screen on your MacBook or your external display isn’t working, or your Bluetooth and AirPort aren’t working, you might need to reset the SMC. Get the idea?
Pay Attention
The method of resetting the System Management Controller on MacBooks and MacBook Pros are different, depending on if the machine has a non-removable internal battery versus a removable battery. Plus, the procedure differs for desktop Macs and laptops. So, pay attention, and don’t try to work ahead.
Note: When you reset your Mac’s SMC it will lose any custom power specific settings, like the time it takes to sleep a Mac and other customizations to power settings. So, you will need to again set any such custom settings you’ve made to you machine following the SMC reset.
SMC Reset Procedure for a Macbook Air, Macbook Pro Retina, or a Macbook Pro With an Internal Non-Removable Battery
- Shut down your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
- Connect the power adapter to the Mac.
- On the laptop’s keyboard, hold down the Shift+Control+Option keys and the Power button at the same time.
- Release all keys and the power button at the same time – the little light on the MagSafe adapter may change colors briefly to indicate the SMC has reset.
- Boot your Mac as usual. (Note: Don’t freak out if your Mac’s boot-up time after an SMC reset takes a bit longer than usual. It’s normal.)
SMC Reset Procedure for a MacBook or MacBook Pro with a Removable Battery
- Shut down your MacBook/ MacBook Pro and remove its battery.
- Disconnect the power adapter, and hold the Power Button for 10 seconds. Count aloud, if you think it’ll help.
- Release the power button and insert the battery and reconnect the power adapter.
- Turn your Mac on.
- Let it boot as usual. (Note: Don’t freak out if your Mac’s boot-up time after an SMC reset takes a bit longer than usual. It’s normal.)
SMC Reset Procedure for an iMac, Mac Pro, or Mac Mini
Smc For Mac Mini Usb
- Shut down your Mac.
- Disconnect the power cord.
- Press and hold your Mac’s power button for 5 seconds. (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3…)
- Release the power button.
- Reattach your Mac’s power cables and boot it as usual. (Note: Don’t freak out if your Mac’s boot-up time after an SMC reset takes a bit longer than usual. It’s normal.)
Smc For Mac Mini Keyboard
Resetting your Mac’s System Management Controller should solve any of a number of minor hardware issues. If you continue to experience ongoing issues, it is always advisable to consult with Apple Support. You can also try to reset your Mac’s PRAM, which can also solve a number of minor issues that arise from time to time. Camera raw photoshop for mac os.
Smc For Mac Mini Software
(Thanks to OSXDaily.com for the original tip)