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Apple Adds Memory Randomization To Leopard

Posted by kdawson on from the shuffling-the-wormholes dept.

.mack notes a ZDNet blog outlining some of the security features added to OSX Leopard (10.5). Here's Apple's brief description of all 11 new security features. "Apple has announced plans to add code-scrambling diversity to Mac OS X Leopard, a move aimed at making the operating system more resilient to virus and worm attacks. The security technology, known as ASLR (address space layout randomization), randomly arranges the positions of key data areas to prevent malware authors from predicting target addresses. Another new feature coming in Leopard is Sandboxing (systrace), which limits an application's access to the system by enforcing access policies for system calls."

20 of 311 comments (clear)

  1. Woo! by gazbo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Apple is finally catching up with BSD, Linux and Vista!

    1. Re:Woo! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      I'm hating all those BSD and Linux viruses...

      Keep drinkin' the cool-aid :)

    2. Re:Woo! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      ... or, an OS with popularity of BSD, the consistent feel of Linux, the security of a Windows, with the openness and price point of OSX.

      After an old joke about the EU, sorry.

    3. Re:Woo! by stewbacca · · Score: 1, Funny

      Yeah, don't buy a Mac. I hear they are slow, overpriced, and don't have any software.

    4. Re:Woo! by jsiren · · Score: 5, Funny

      Even I have a random memory!

      --
      Usage: km/h for speed (kilometers per hour); kph for very slow impulses (kilopond hours).
    5. Re:Woo! by pohl · · Score: 2, Funny

      Where are the scores of Microsoft fanboys bashing Apple, damn it!

      90% of them don't have any real passions or sense of quality and are just playing follow-the-market-leader.

      The other 10% are too busy chewing Ayn Rand's carpet

      .
      --

      The "cue the foo posts in 3, 2, 1..." posts will commence with no subsequent foo posts in 3, 2, 1...

    6. Re:Woo! by Yahweh+Doesn't+Exist · · Score: 3, Funny

      your plan doesn't give him the option to continue using it but to forget to pay for it.

      or to decide that it's good enough to use but not worth his money - maybe he'll spend a few hours learning what's new and consider himself even with Apple after they forced him to 'waste his precious time'.

    7. Re:Woo! by konohitowa · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm NOT going to buy a Mac unless I win the lottery or something.

      Wow. What's the jackpot currently sitting at for the Lotto in your state? Like $2000 or something? (I'm assuming you plan to take it as a cash disbursement rather than spread out over 20 years)

  2. obligitary troll by pat+mcguire · · Score: 4, Funny

    If only this broke bootcamp compatibility - then they'd really prevent viruses.

  3. Re:Leopard? by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why would Apple chooses such a gay name for its operating system?

    To give you closeted folk an excuse to talk about your feelings in public.

    --
    Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  4. Simple. by Lethyos · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because the Macintosh is the Gay Computer.

    --
    Why bother.
    1. Re:Simple. by stewbacca · · Score: 2, Funny

      I can't tell if that is a serious blog or if it is a Steven Colbert quality parody. Surely people THAT stupid aren't intelligent enough to post a blog....are they?

    2. Re:Simple. by NatasRevol · · Score: 2, Funny


      I think this one is even better.

      Microsoft4Life | October 13, 2006 at 3:34 am | Permalink
      Having never used an iMac, eMac or any other apple computer ever in my life i can truly say they suck. Shelley is just the only one brave enough to enlighten you people and what do you do? Criticize all the way?
      Why dos the mac mouse have only one button? Because they are made for islamic terorist that lost most of their fingers in accidents trying to assemble bombs. How could they rightclick on normal mice when they are designing their bombs? They can't.
      And MacOS is not easy to use it's just so simple and devoid of functions that even iliterate terorists can use it. Go Shelly, Go USA.
      Cheers from Romania

      --
      There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
  5. Re:Even Windows does this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You have an apt nickname.

  6. The Summary, as seen by Leopard users by strength_of_10_men · · Score: 2, Funny

    some to Another policies arranges (10.5). notes 11 the and brief Here's has in as by is key security to feature add access Leopard, more positions Mac (systrace), resilient of access X for code-scrambling blog prevent "Apple to new Leopard virus The aimed the to diversity ZDNet at move announced an (address application's enforcing OS worm calls." Apple's security OSX data added security limits technology, Sandboxing description new system Leopard the addresses. making predicting features to layout .mack plans randomly from system malware system to a of a features. ASLR outlining the space which of known operating coming authors areas attacks. randomization), target
  7. Trend by MadMacSkillz · · Score: 5, Funny

    There is a trend emerging, ever so slowly... It used to be Mac users attacking Windows users... More and more I'm starting to hear Windows users attacking Mac users. Fortunately, so long as the argument is "Mac is gay," I don't really feel like Mac users need to bother responding. Linux I respect, though... because once I'm in the command line, it's just like OS X. (ducks)

    --
    Music - www.richardmac.com
  8. 'cept by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Apple is finally catching up with BSD, Linux and Vista! 'cept in VIsta the randomization is not on purpose. ;)
  9. Come to think of it... by Kadin2048 · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... or, an OS with popularity of BSD, the consistent feel of Linux, the security of a Windows, with the openness and price point of OSX. That's a pretty good description of Vista, actually.
    --
    "Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
  10. Re:Why? by lantastik · · Score: 2, Funny

    Your analogy is completely confusing. Could you please rephrase it in the form of a car analogy? Thank you.

  11. ASLR by caluml · · Score: 2, Funny

    ASLR - Hmm. 32, Male, Bristol - what's the R for these days? I can't keep up with the youngsters.

    --
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