Apple Packs Security Features Into OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
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Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion running on a MacBook Air. CREDIT: Apple, Inc. |
Apple this morning (Feb. 16) took the wraps off its newest operating system, OS X 10.8, codenamed "Mountain Lion," which includes two notable features to give consumers more control over their own security, especially when downloading software.
One feature, Gatekeeper, let Mac users select the specific sources from which they're able to download and install apps. Using the aptly titled program, people can choose to allow their systems to download only apps from the Mac App Store; from only the Mac App Store and developers who've been verified with a Developer ID; or from anywhere.
Users who choose the "Anywhere" setting will still be granted the protections provided by the current OS X 10.7. Apple will warn them if they are in danger of downloading potentially harmful software.
[Mac OS X Mountain Lion Preview: Much More iPad Inside]
Gatekeeper will also alert users who try to install an application from a developer without a developer ID.
To give its customers freedom while keeping them safe, Mountain Lion comes with a manual override built into Gatekeeper, allowing users to download apps even from unidentified developers.
It's not yet clear if Gatekeeper would also screen software that's being installed from a CD, DVD or flash drive.
Apple has not yet set a release date for OS X 10.8, but here's a video of what it will look like:
