Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) |
Download Validation |
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Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) |
File Quarantine |
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Developers could digitally sign their code |
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Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) |
XProtect |
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OS X 10.7 (Lion) |
FileVault |
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App Sandbox |
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Removal of the “Rosetta” feature |
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OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) |
Gatekeeper |
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Added a new option within System Preference where users could only allow applications downloaded from Mac App Store and identified developers |
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Location Services – allow secure apps to accurately track user’s location |
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Allow users to know apps requesting their location within the last 24 hours |
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Disable Location Services on a per app basis |
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OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) |
iCloud Keychain |
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Mandatory code signing for kexts |
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OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) |
Introduced Mail Drop |
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Introduced Swift Programming |
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OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) |
Introduction of System Integrity Protection |
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App Transport Security |
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OS X 10.12 (Sierra) |
Introduction of HTML 5 |
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Universal Clipboard – useful in ensuring data security |
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Apple File System |
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OS X 10.13 (High Sierra) |
Intelligent Tracking Prevention in Safari web browser |
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User approved kernel extensions |
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Firmware validation |
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OS X 10.14 (Mojave) |
Minimizes website’s fingerprinting and tracking capabilities |
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Introduced more features to secure passwords – create and autofill strong passwords, flag the use of same passwords across multiple websites |
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Prevent Mac applications from using microphone and camera without user’s permission |
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OS X 10.15 (Catalina) |
Sign In with Apple |
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Activation Lock |
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Banned the use of tracking technology in applications categorized under the Kids category |
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Mac applications will require permission to access files located within the user’s Documents or Desktops folder, iCloud Drive and external volume |
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Users will be prompted when apps track keystrokes or take screenshots or record the screen |
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Creation of a private, read-only volume to prevent malicious apps from altering any of the existing files |
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OS X 11 (Big Sur) |
Access the Privacy Report within Safari to get a look at the number of trackers blocked within the last one month |
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Permits Safari to monitor passwords to minimize the occurrence of any data breaches |
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Users can get a more detailed overview of apps collecting and processing their data |
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Uses a cryptographically signed system volume to prevent any malicious tampering |
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OS X 12 (Monterey) |
Introduced recording indicator for apps that can access microphones |
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Custom domains are introduced in iCloud+ email |
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Introduced Accounts Recovery Contacts |
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The Intelligent Tracking Prevention feature prevents hackers from using IP addresses to profile users |
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Safari automatically upgrades connections to HTTPS |
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iCloud Passwords has a built-in authenticator to create codes for two factor authentication |
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Introduction of Hide My Email to ensure data privacy by routing specific emails to Apple’s proxy servers |
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Introduction of Mail Privacy Protection to restrict senders from collecting data |
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Safari comes with the capability to convert insecure HTTP web addresses to secure HTTPS |
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OS X 13 (Ventura) – Upcoming |
Introduction of passkeys |
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Edit passwords recommended by Safari to meet site specific requirements |
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OS update will be pushed in the background. Installation will be initiated without requiring the device to be restarted |