Episode 380: PFAS, AI, FBI, and TikTok

Apple operating system updates bring a bevy of patches and some changes to Apple Intelligence. Should you worry about vulnerabilities discovered in Apple's M-series chips. Apple's Next Generation CarPlay is late. And the latest adoption rates for current Apple operating systems tell us who is using which devices and for how long. Show Notes: CVE-2025-24166 How to turn off Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac Apple chips can be hacked to leak secrets from Gmail, iCloud, and more Apple reveals iOS 18 usage data for the first time Apple Removes '2024' Timeframe From Next-Generation CarPlay Page Time to Delete? The Most Invasive Apps List Includes Some of Your Favorites Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

A warning about dangerous materials being used in Apple watch bands, the FBI has been able to quietly remove malware from computers remotely, and it's not the first time we try to make sense of the TikTok situation in the United States, and the latest Apple updates for beta testers contain more Apple intelligence features, but how many users will opt out. Show Notes: iOS 18.3 automatically enables Apple Intelligence for users, requires opt-out to disable iOS 18.3 Temporarily Removes Notification Summaries for News Smartwatch bands can contain ‘major’ levels of toxic PFAS, study finds FBI hacked thousands of computers to make malware uninstall itself Fake Homebrew Google ads target Mac users with malware Intego discovers new “Cuckoo” Mac malware mimicking Homebrew About availability of TikTok and ByteDance Ltd. apps in the United States Is TikTok safe, or not? Why U.S., EU, and App Store bans could be imminent How to turn off Copilot in Microsoft 365 Family and Personal subscriptions Samsung is rolling out a smartphone subscription next month Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

We discuss January anniversaries for some of our favorite Apple gear, and then a look at what new devices Apple may be planning to introduce during the year. Show Notes: Twenty years of the Mac mini, the little Mac that could Apple Focusing on These Eight New Low-Cost Devices in 2025 No, Siri's "Learn from this app" Setting Is Not Sending Data From Your Apps to Third Parties Apple’s weird iPhone alarm problems are still happening macOS flaw that allowed attackers to bypass core system protections is now fixed Sony BMG copy protection rootkit scandal “Banshee Stealer” Mac malware resurfaced in new campaigns French TV show pulled after ridicule of woman who fell for AI Brad Pitt How to Delete Your Social Media Accounts: Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and More Should you think twice about RedNote as a TikTok alternative? Microsoft January 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 8 zero-days, 159 flaws Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

The US Federal Communications Commission has introduced a Cyber Trust Mark intended to educate consumers on the security of smart devices. We discuss how it's supposed to work. And we take a look back at the top malware stories from 2024. Show Notes: White House Launches “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark”, Providing American Consumers an Easy Label to See if Connected Devices are Cybersecure U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Apple will pay $95 million to people who were spied on by Siri Cryptocurrency wallet drainers stole $494 million in 2024 Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

A major data breach of U.S. telecoms took place, and very few of them have yet to admit it happened. Age ratings on Apple App Store apps are misapplied for hundreds of apps that are age inappropriate. What's Apple doing about it? iMessage Notification scams are proliferating, and we have another example. And Apple released a lot of hardware this year, and in a way, AI helps us understand why. Show Notes: Apple TV+ free weekend The USB-C charging mandate arrives in the EU — here’s what that means You can love or hate AI, but it’s killed crappy 8GB versions of pricey PCs and Macs Cybersecurity firm's Chrome extension hijacked to steal users' data App Store has hundreds of ‘risky’ apps rated as appropriate for kids More telcos confirm Salt Typhoon breaches as White House weighs in Scammers are committing hospice fraud Apple Launched These 25+ Products This Year How to Use Image Playground and Genmoji on iPhone, iPad, and Mac Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

This week's Intego Mac podcast features a look back at the top security and privacy news of 2024. Show Notes: Apple Security and Privacy in 2024: The Year in Review Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

TikTok is facing serious scrutiny for abetting misinformation campaigns, not just in the US but elsewhere in the world. Are people disinterested in AI? The early verdict on Apple's new AI features might be summed up as "meh". Apple Notification Summaries, which utilize Apple Intelligence, has recently been accused of serious message mangling. And TP-Link routers may be banned in the US due to potential national security risks. Show Notes: Don't believe what you see on TikTok - AirDrop doesn't allow thieves to steal your credit card Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to TikTok ban European Commission opens formal proceedings against TikTok on election risks Most iPhone owners see little to no value in Apple Intelligence so far Apple Intelligence - The Complete Guide BBC complains to Apple over misleading shooting headline Genmoji ad showcases creations that were not made with Apple Intelligence Apple Intelligence | Imagine it. Genmoji it. “Do Not Track” removed from Firefox after 13 years Am I Unique? TP-Link, most popular home internet routers in U.S., may be banned as national security risk Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

New phishing scams use familiar internet services to con potential victims. We have some examples. And we have an overview of Apple's highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features debuting in its latest operating system updates. Show Notes: Beware of fake package delivery texts and e-mails! Here’s what to look for Mac malware masquerades as meeting apps: Realst Stealer is back! MacOS Passwords Alert—New Malware Targets Keychain, Chrome, Brave, Opera Microsoft December 2024 Patch Tuesday fixes 1 exploited zero-day, 71 flaws Apple Intelligence – The Complete Guide How to Use Apple Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16 How to use Apple Intelligence Writing Tools to express yourself perfectly How to Use Image Playground and Genmoji on iPhone, iPad, and Mac How to use Clean Up in Apple Photos to delete people or objects Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

Tim Cook gives a rare interview and discusses his future at Apple. Why is the FBI now encouraging the use of encryption in messaging apps? We didn't think they were fans. The Telegram messaging app aims to crack down on the kind of criminal activities Telegram has been known to abet. And ChatGPT bumps up against another ethical and security problem with its so-called Stop Lists. Show Notes: Tim Cook on how long he’ll remain Apple CEO Apple Polishing Cloth Telcos struggle to boot Chinese hackers from networks FBI suggests use of encrypted messaging apps while US faces huge cyberattack from China China’s Hacking Reached Deep Into U.S. Telecoms WhatsApp to Drop Support for These iPhones Starting May 2025 iPhone SE Now Over 1,000 Days Old as New Model Edges Closer Telegram U-turns and joins child safety scheme Hackers abuse popular Godot game engine to infect thousands of PCs Certain names make ChatGPT grind to a halt, and we know why Google Chrome’s AI feature lets you quickly check website trustworthiness Apple Releases iCloud Passwords Add-On for Firefox Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 is the ultimate protection and utility suite for your Mac. Download a free trial now at intego.com, and use this link for a special discount when you're ready to buy.

The Bluesky social media platform's burst in popularity has begun to attract the scammers. The US Department of Justice wants Google to sell its Chrome browser. You'll be amazed by the number of fraud apps researchers are finding every day on your favorite app stores. And we've got a few very last minute tips for shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Show Notes: Is it time to upgrade your Wi-Fi router? Security should be a top priority Don't buy these tech products this Black Friday 8 essential tips for safe holiday shopping online OG HomePods Fail, and Apple Won’t Fix Them Apple supports World Aids Day, donating $5 per qualifying purchase, Nov 29–Dec 8 Apple’s (PRODUCT)RED page Apple share buybacks Independent researcher “Babu” has helped Apple and Google remove 7K fraud apps Fake Apps in iOS App Store Now BlueSky hit with crypto scams as it crosses 20 million users Follow Intego on Bluesky Google Rebrands Switcher App to Lure iPhone Users to Android Meanwhile, Apple’s “Move to iOS” has over 100 million downloads on Google Play U.S. DoJ Wants Google to Sell Chrome Browser Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels Spies hack Wi-Fi networks in far-off land to launch attack on target next door Black Friday 2024 holiday sales: From November 25 through December 1, save big on Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 — the ultimate Mac protection and utility suite — by using this special link (https://offer.intego.com/Intego_SMP_BlackFriday2024_o0sz64vid). You can also find incredible savings on Intego Privacy Protection VPN via this exclusive link (https://offer.intego.com/cart-redirect?ipp_standalone=1&coupon=PROMOTION2022&aff_id=24194), and Intego Antivirus for Windows via this promo link (https://www.intego.com/lp/route-podcast-intego/?channel=Podcast_Intego&lpx=buy). Share these deals with your friends and family to help them save, too!