Mac OS X Security

Mac OS X Security
Author: Bruce Potter
Publisher: New Riders
Total Pages: 412
Release: 2003
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 9780735713482

Part II addresses system security beginning at the client workstation level.

Enterprise Mac Security: Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Enterprise Mac Security: Mac OS X Snow Leopard
Author: Charles Edge
Publisher: Apress
Total Pages: 628
Release: 2010-12-31
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1430227311

A common misconception in the Mac community is that Mac’s operating system is more secure than others. While this might be true in certain cases, security on the Mac is still a crucial issue. When sharing is enabled or remote control applications are installed, Mac OS X faces a variety of security threats. Enterprise Mac Security: Mac OS X Snow Leopard is a definitive, expert-driven update of the popular, slash-dotted first edition and was written in part as a companion to the SANS Institute course for Mac OS X. It contains detailed Mac OS X security information, and walkthroughs on securing systems, including the new Snow Leopard operating system. Using the SANS Institute course as a sister, this book caters to both the beginning home user and the seasoned security professional not accustomed to the Mac, establishing best practices for Mac OS X for a wide audience. The authors of this book are seasoned Mac and security professionals, having built many of the largest network infrastructures for Apple and spoken at both DEFCON and Black Hat on OS X security.

Mac OS X and iOS Internals

Mac OS X and iOS Internals
Author: Jonathan Levin
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 38
Release: 2012-11-05
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 111823605X

An in-depth look into Mac OS X and iOS kernels Powering Macs, iPhones, iPads and more, OS X and iOS are becoming ubiquitous. When it comes to documentation, however, much of them are shrouded in mystery. Cocoa and Carbon, the application frameworks, are neatly described, but system programmers find the rest lacking. This indispensable guide illuminates the darkest corners of those systems, starting with an architectural overview, then drilling all the way to the core. Provides you with a top down view of OS X and iOS Walks you through the phases of system startup—both Mac (EFi) and mobile (iBoot) Explains how processes, threads, virtual memory, and filesystems are maintained Covers the security architecture Reviews the internal Apis used by the system—BSD and Mach Dissects the kernel, XNU, into its sub components: Mach, the BSD Layer, and I/o kit, and explains each in detail Explains the inner workings of device drivers From architecture to implementation, this book is essential reading if you want to get serious about the internal workings of Mac OS X and iOS.

The Art of Mac Malware

The Art of Mac Malware
Author: Patrick Wardle
Publisher: No Starch Press
Total Pages: 329
Release: 2022-07-12
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1718501943

A comprehensive guide to the threats facing Apple computers and the foundational knowledge needed to become a proficient Mac malware analyst. Defenders must fully understand how malicious software works if they hope to stay ahead of the increasingly sophisticated threats facing Apple products today. The Art of Mac Malware: The Guide to Analyzing Malicious Software is a comprehensive handbook to cracking open these malicious programs and seeing what’s inside. Discover the secrets of nation state backdoors, destructive ransomware, and subversive cryptocurrency miners as you uncover their infection methods, persistence strategies, and insidious capabilities. Then work with and extend foundational reverse-engineering tools to extract and decrypt embedded strings, unpack protected Mach-O malware, and even reconstruct binary code. Next, using a debugger, you’ll execute the malware, instruction by instruction, to discover exactly how it operates. In the book’s final section, you’ll put these lessons into practice by analyzing a complex Mac malware specimen on your own. You’ll learn to: Recognize common infections vectors, persistence mechanisms, and payloads leveraged by Mac malware Triage unknown samples in order to quickly classify them as benign or malicious Work with static analysis tools, including disassemblers, in order to study malicious scripts and compiled binaries Leverage dynamical analysis tools, such as monitoring tools and debuggers, to gain further insight into sophisticated threats Quickly identify and bypass anti-analysis techniques aimed at thwarting your analysis attempts A former NSA hacker and current leader in the field of macOS threat analysis, Patrick Wardle uses real-world examples pulled from his original research. The Art of Mac Malware: The Guide to Analyzing Malicious Software is the definitive resource to battling these ever more prevalent and insidious Apple-focused threats.

Mac Security Bible

Mac Security Bible
Author: Joe Kissell
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 1085
Release: 2009-12-17
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0470616490

Your essential, no-holds-barred guide to Mac security threats and solutions Myth number one: Macs are safer than PCs. Not really, says author Joe Kissell, named one of MacTech's "25 Most Influential People" in the Mac community for 2008. In this timely guide, he not only takes you beyond the myths, he also delves into the nitty-gritty of each potential threat, helping you weigh the pros and cons of the solutions you might choose. Learn to measure risk versus inconvenience, make informed decisions, and protect your Mac computers, your privacy, and your data with this essential guide. Explains the security threats to Macs, including data in transit from your e-mail or network, and malware such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses; these threats, formerly the exclusive worry of PC users, now increasingly threaten Macs Explores physical security and hardware barriers, software settings, third-party solutions, and more Shows Mac OS X users how to develop and enforce security policies Covers security for Windows running on a Mac with Boot Camp, virtualization software such as Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion, and more Learn the full range of options you need to consider to make your Mac safe. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Master Your Mac

Master Your Mac
Author: Matthew Cone
Publisher: No Starch Press
Total Pages: 428
Release: 2012
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1593274068

Provides information to quickly improve and customize a Mac computer, enable undocumented Mac OS X features, automate tedious tasks, handle media, and troubleshoot disk issues.

A Guide to Kernel Exploitation

A Guide to Kernel Exploitation
Author: Enrico Perla
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 466
Release: 2010-10-28
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1597494879

A Guide to Kernel Exploitation: Attacking the Core discusses the theoretical techniques and approaches needed to develop reliable and effective kernel-level exploits, and applies them to different operating systems, namely, UNIX derivatives, Mac OS X, and Windows. Concepts and tactics are presented categorically so that even when a specifically detailed vulnerability has been patched, the foundational information provided will help hackers in writing a newer, better attack; or help pen testers, auditors, and the like develop a more concrete design and defensive structure.The book is organized into four parts. Part I introduces the kernel and sets out the theoretical basis on which to build the rest of the book. Part II focuses on different operating systems and describes exploits for them that target various bug classes. Part III on remote kernel exploitation analyzes the effects of the remote scenario and presents new techniques to target remote issues. It includes a step-by-step analysis of the development of a reliable, one-shot, remote exploit for a real vulnerabilitya bug affecting the SCTP subsystem found in the Linux kernel. Finally, Part IV wraps up the analysis on kernel exploitation and looks at what the future may hold. - Covers a range of operating system families — UNIX derivatives, Mac OS X, Windows - Details common scenarios such as generic memory corruption (stack overflow, heap overflow, etc.) issues, logical bugs and race conditions - Delivers the reader from user-land exploitation to the world of kernel-land (OS) exploits/attacks, with a particular focus on the steps that lead to the creation of successful techniques, in order to give to the reader something more than just a set of tricks

The Mac Hacker's Handbook

The Mac Hacker's Handbook
Author: Charlie Miller
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 386
Release: 2011-03-21
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1118080335

As more and more vulnerabilities are found in the Mac OS X (Leopard) operating system, security researchers are realizing the importance of developing proof-of-concept exploits for those vulnerabilities. This unique tome is the first book to uncover the flaws in the Mac OS X operating system—and how to deal with them. Written by two white hat hackers, this book is aimed at making vital information known so that you can find ways to secure your Mac OS X systems, and examines the sorts of attacks that are prevented by Leopard’s security defenses, what attacks aren’t, and how to best handle those weaknesses.

Guide to Securing Microsoft Windows XP Systems for IT Professionals: A NIST Security Configuration Checklist

Guide to Securing Microsoft Windows XP Systems for IT Professionals: A NIST Security Configuration Checklist
Author: Karen Scarfone
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 127
Release: 2009-08
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1437914926

When an IT security configuration checklist (e.g., hardening or lockdown guide) is applied to a system in combination with trained system administrators and a sound and effective security program, a substantial reduction in vulnerability exposure can be achieved. This guide will assist personnel responsible for the administration and security of Windows XP systems. It contains information that can be used to secure local Windows XP workstations, mobile computers, and telecommuter systems more effectively in a variety of environments, including small office, home office and managed enterprise environments. The guidance should only be applied throughout an enterprise by trained and experienced system administrators. Illustrations.