Posts tagged app
Apple has launched the Mac App Store via an OS X 10.6.6 update. It works much as you would expect if you are an iTunes user, allowing you to browse, purchase, and easily install Mac applications. This isn’t intended to be an in-depth review of the Mac App Store, but rather just me venting on two issues I’ve already noticed that I know are going to bug the heck out of me.
1) The Mac App Store application does not store your password.
This makes a certain amount of sense on a device like an iPhone or iPad, which are meant to be mobile and can easily be lost or stolen. However, iTunes allows me to store my password on my Mac, so why not the App Store?
2) The App Store automatically adds purchased applications to the Dock.
While some people may prefer this, avid app store users will quickly be overwhelmed by the amount of icons being added to their Dock. A simple preference to disable this behavior would have been a nice inclusion.
Hidden, an application that aids in recovering lost or stolen Macs, is free until January! This app runs silently on your computer and can be activated via a website in the event that your Mac is lost or stolen. Once activated your Mac will begin reporting data back to Hidden if it is connected to a network, which is pretty likely in today’s world.
After installing Hidden there are some things you should do to make sure your computer is protected and increase the likelihood that Hidden will report data back.
1) Set a firmware password to prevent your Mac from being booted off a secondary drive
This prevents someone from booting your Mac off of an OS X install CD (or any other drive) and wiping your hard drive, thus eliminating the “Hidden” protection. You are still able to boot your system off of another drive in the event that you need to. To do so, simply reboot and hold down the “Option” key. This will bring up a password prompt where you enter your firmware password. After successfully authenticating you will see a list of bootable drives present on your system.
2) Enable the “Guest” account on your Mac
This provides whoever finds/steals your Mac with a login account. Why would you want a thief to be able to login to your Mac? So Hidden can begin reporting data back that may help you locate your computer. This data could include network based geolocation information, ISP information, and even pictures of the thief taken by the built in iSight camera!
3) Turn off “Automatic Login” to ensure a thief does not gain access to your data
Although you want the would-be thief to be able to login to your computer, you do NOT want them gaining access to your personal information!
4) Set the login screen to display a list of users
This will present the would-be thief with a list of login accounts to choose and will let them know that the “Guest” account exists.
Of course, none of these steps will guarantee that you get your lost/stolen Mac returned to you, however it does increase the likelihood greatly. And for now, it’s free!
