Last week Apple users were sent into a panic after learning of a vulnerability in iOS and OS X that left them open to attack when connected to public WiFi networks. While a fix for mobile devices came almost immediately in the form of iOS 7.0.6, Mac users have had to nervously bide their time in waiting for an update to OS X Mavericks to address the issue. Today that update has arrived.
Pegged as OS X 10.9.2, the new software version actually does more than provide a security patch. In fact, the patch is barely a blip in the latest edition’s release notes. But SSL bug, which left certain applications open to man-in-the-middle attacks that could siphon off data being transmitted over a WiFi network, is indeed squashed.
For that reason along version 10.9.2 is worth an immediate download via the Mac App Store software updater, but there are a few other tweaks and fixes of note. The major ones are the addition of FaceTime audio call support and the resolution of several bugs affecting Mail users.
Here is the complete list of improvements and enhancements:
- Adds the ability to make and receive FaceTime audio calls
- Adds call waiting support for FaceTime audio and video calls
- Adds the ability to block incoming iMessages from individual senders
- Includes general improvements to the stability and compatibility of Mail
- Improves the accuracy of unread counts in Mail
- Resolves an issue that prevented Mail from receiving new messages from certain providers
- Improves AutoFill compatibility in Safari
- Fixes an issue that may cause audio distortion on certain Macs
- Improves reliability when connecting to a file server using SMB2
- Fixes an issue that may cause VPN connections to disconnect
- Improves VoiceOver navigation in Mail and Finder
- Improves VoiceOver reliability when navigating websites
- Improves compatibility with Gmail Archive mailboxes
- Includes improvements to Gmail labels
- Improves Safari browsing and Software Update installation when using an authenticated web proxy
- Fixes an issue that could cause the Mac App Store to offer updates for apps that are already up to date
- Improves the reliability of diskless NetBoot service in OS X Server
- Fixes braille driver support for specific HandyTech displays
- Resolves an issue when using Safe Boot with some systems
- Improves ExpressCard compatibility for some MacBook Pro 2010 models
- Resolves an issue which prevented printing to printers shared by Windows XP
- Resolves an issue with Keychain that could cause repeated prompts to unlock the Local Items keychain
- Fixes an issue that could prevent certain preference panes from opening in System Preferences
- Fixes an issue that may prevent migration from completing while in Setup Assistant
Apple has yet to update their security page to reflect the handling of the SSL bug, but the company typically waits to do so until it feels confident an issue has been resolved with the current software version. Mac owners can find the 460MB update now by selecting Software Update from the Apple menu in the menu bar.
[via Apple]
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