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- Saturday November 23
- 08:09 amHow to enhance your network security with private Wi-Fi network addresses
Macworld You might think that connecting anonymously to a public Wi-Fi network doesn’t reveal much about you. You might be using a VPN (virtual private network) to protect everything you do. Even if you aren’t, the vast majority of websites and email servers (and pretty much all those run by companies) use client-to-server encryption. But what if you could be tracked anyway? Apple has a solution for this as it does for many tracking systems. The company’s trick lies in how Wi-Fi (and ethernet) adapters identify themselves over a local network. How MAC addresses work Every network adapter has a unique, factory-assigned address baked in or programmed in at its manufacture. It’s called a Media (or Medium) Access Control address; the abbreviation is MAC, confusingly enough, but it has nothing to do with Macintoshes. Where an IP (Internet Protocol) address defines your machine’s location on the internet, a MAC address defines it on your local area network (LAN). The MAC is in part how devices on a LAN all communicate with one another, whether over Wi-Fi or ethernet. Apple recognized that any fixed identifier could be used to track someone if the ID could be tied to records shared beyond a local network. When you connect to a wireless hotspot, your Wi-Fi MAC address gets transmitted because it’s an inherent part of that connection. If that MAC address doesn’t change over time, the backend of a hotspot portal or a business location’s point-of-sale system could build up a profile of you (or your device) using a variety of clues that includes any Bluetooth broadcasts, logging into a portal to gain free access, using a discount card while paying, and emitting other broadcast identifiers. They could sell this information to third-party information brokers who could track you widely across locations that also share and sell information and target you with ads even if all your web, email, and file-transfer connections were secure, as is the case in most scenarios today. Worse, it’s clear that law enforcement and government agencies routinely purchase access to location information without use of subpoenas or legal mechanisms that a provider or you would be informed of and could fight. While a MAC address is factory assigned, it can be changed. For instance, you may have had the experience of connecting to a Wi-Fi gateway to configure it and seeing an option buried in advanced settings to modify the MAC address. (This can sometimes be helpful when you’re replacing a router, and your ISP’s broadband modem or adapter is registered to that older device’s MAC address.) The ability for a MAC to change and the potential for a MAC to be tracked is why Apple introduced a Private Wi-Fi address as a feature in iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7. It later added it to macOS. The feature is enabled by default for all Wi-Fi connections on all platforms. Apple made this feature more granular—offering ways to tune it further—in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15 Sequoia, and watchOS 11. Apple uses the term “Private Wi-Fi address” to refer to the MAC address for a Wi-Fi adapter. It’s identical to a MAC address, but the company doesn’t offer private MAC addresses for Ethernet connections. Change your private address settings You can view the settings only for individual networks because Apple lets you have different settings for each network to which you connect. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap the connected network name. You can also change Private Wi-Fi options by tapping the i (info) icon next to a nearby network, or tapping Edit at the top of Wi-Fi settings and tapping the i icon. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Wi-Fi and click Details next to the connected network. You can also tap the … (More) button next to a network shown as nearby to make changes to the Private Wi-Fi address settings. (You can’t change stored MAC settings in macOS.) On a Watch, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the name of the network, and the Private Address setting appears. The Private Wi-Fi address setting lets you control how much long-term information you leak about your device to nearby networks.Foundry The latest releases of operating systems added a menu that offers Off, Fixed, and Rotating choices. By default when you connect to an open network (one with no encryption) or one using outdated encryption methods (WEP or the original WAP flavor), your operating system automatically sets the option to Rotating. In this case, your device invents a MAC address for every network you join and uses that address for two weeks. The address also changes if you choose Forget This Network and then connect again after 24 hours, or if you use the device’s settings to reset your network settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings). You might ask: what if Apple generates a MAC address already in use? The number of possible addresses is vast—over 280 trillion possibilities—and unlike a global IP address, it only needs to be unique on the local network. If you connect to a network with WPA2 or later encryption, your device uses Fixed by default. You might also choose this on a personal or office local network even if Apple’s default isn’t set to Fixed in order to ensure your address stays consistent. If you pick Off, you’re warned about tracking and have to confirm before Private Wi-Fi address is disabled. You might change from Rotating to Off or Fixed if you think you’re experiencing problems with a hotspot network that keeps losing your login. I’ve seen this with airplane Wi-Fi and haven’t diagnosed whether it’s an issue with the airplane’s authentication system or private MAC addressing. This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by a Macworld reader. Ask Mac 911 We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered, we don’t reply to email, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.08:00 amWaited too long to book your holiday travel plans? Try this app
Macworld You had every intention of booking early this year, but life got in the way (again). Now, flights and hotels are sky-high — unless you have this secret travel deals app. OneAir gives you lower prices than sites like Expedia and Hotels.com, and a lifetime subscription is at its lowest price ever with this early Black Friday deal: $49.97 (reg. $790)! Let’s start with that airline ticket. You can find a cheap last-minute flight for $50 to $150 less than free websites, which pays for the OneAir subscription after your first trip. You’ll find deals from economy up to first-class by search, or you can set destination-specific deal alerts powered by an AI engine that finds the best prices online. You can also save $20 to $150 per night on hotel stays if you aren’t keen on rooming with in-laws. When you book right on the OneAir app, you also earn 10% in cash rewards for future purchases, helping you double down on the savings. Save on holiday travel with a OneAir lifetime subscription at $49.97 (reg. $790). You won’t find a better price with this early Black Friday deal — no coupon is needed to get this price. OneAir Elite: Lifetime Subscription (Book Unbeatable Hotel and Flight Deals + Earn Up to 10% in Cash Rewards on Most Bookings) – $49.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.08:00 amDitch iCloud Drive for good with this early Black Friday lifetime storage deal
Macworld How much do you think you’ve spent on iCloud storage so far? A couple hundred? *Cringe.* Now, imagine never paying for it again. This early Black Friday deal gives you 1TB of lifetime cloud storage for only $59.97 (reg. $251.64). This is the lowest the price has ever been, so get it while it lasts! Easily transfer your photos, videos, and files from iCloud Drive into FolderFort to get money back in your pocket each month. This 1TB lifetime plan stores around 200,000 photos, 300 hours of HD video, or a million documents—all for a one-time payment. You don’t even need to download an app since FolderFort is browser-based and works on every device. Share the cloud storage with as many users as you’d like, similar to an iCloud family plan. Actually, each person you add gets their own 1GB of storage. You could create private or shared folders to get the most out of your subscription. Get this iCloud alternative at an all-time low price with this early Black Friday deal: $59.97 (reg. $251.64) — that’s 76% savings that no other site will top! FolderFort 1TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription – $59.97 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.05:38 amSave big on refurbished iPad 10 from Apple
The iPad 10 is now available for purchase through Apple's Certified Refurbished Store in the US, with discounts of up to $80. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)12:00 amBlack Friday deal: AirPods Pro 2 price drops to just $169.99
Apple's flagship earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C case, drops to the lowest price we've seen with this new Black Friday deal. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)Friday November 2211:20 pmSteam Cuts the Cord For Legacy Windows, macOS
The latest Steam client drops support for operating systems older than Windows 10 or macOS 10.15 Catalina. "That means Mac users can't run 32-bit games anymore, as all macOS versions from Catalina onward only run 64-bit binaries," reports The Register. From the report: [I]f you have a well-specified older Mac, here is another reason to check out Open Core Legacy Patcher. For now, macOS 10.15 Catalina will do but we suspect it won't for long. This version of Steam uses the equivalent to Chrome 126: "Updated embedded Chromium build in Steam to 126.0.6478.183." However, versions since Chrome 128 require macOS 11 or newer. For now, Catalina will work -- but the next significant Steam update will update Chromium as well, and there's a high probability that that will drop support for 10.15. So, if you're using OCLP to install a newer macOS, you should probably go directly to Big Sur. In The Reg FOSS desk's testing, we found that Big Sur ran reasonably well on a machine with Intel HD 520 graphics, although the same hardware ran very poorly with macOS 12 Monterey. Unfortunately, the inevitable end is in sight for older Macs. That said, the November 2024 Steam client update brings several "wins," including a built-in Game Recording feature, an upgraded Chromium browser engine, and the new "Scout" Linux runtime environment for improved compatibility and performance, especially on the Steam Deck and Linux distros. Additionally, it delivers bug fixes and enhancements for modern OS users. Read more of this story at Slashdot.11:17 pmTap to Pay on iPhone now available in one more country following recent expansion
Following a recent expansion of Tap to Pay on iPhone to more countries in Europe, Apple this week announced that it is bringing the feature to yet another country this year. As of today, users in New Zealand can count on the feature that turns the iPhone into a payment terminal. more…10:56 pmEdit, convert, and organize PDFs effortlessly: Grab UPDF’s amazing Black Friday discounts! | 9 to 5 MacEdit, convert, and organize PDFs effortlessly: Grab UPDF’s amazing Black Friday discounts!
Reading PDFs has become second nature, but when it comes to editing, converting, or even organizing PDF documents, the process can be cumbersome. UPDF has changed that, offering an AI-powered PDF solution that makes these complex tasks easier for Mac users. With full-featured editing at just a quarter of the price of Adobe Acrobat Pro, UPDF brings an impressive suite of capabilities to the table, including AI tools that summarize, translate, and even let you chat with PDFs. And this Black Friday, UPDF is available at up to 50% off, making it a perfect time to enhance your productivity. more…10:40 pmThe good, the bad, and the ugly behind the push for more smart displays
Opinion: Apple could really change the game here.10:17 pmSave $300 on Apple's 1TB M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro this weekend
A trio of retailers are fighting for your money, by offering the 1TB 14-inch MacBook Pro with an upgraded M4 Pro chip at $300 off the list price.Grab weekend savings on the 14-inch MacBook Pro - Image credit: AppleThe M4 Pro update to the 14-inch MacBook Pro has made it an extremely viable option for anyone who wants to work on the move. It's so attractive that three major online retailers have the same offer.Amazon is offering the upgraded M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro, complete with its 14-core CPU and 20-core GPU, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, 24GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage at $2,099. That's $300 or 13% off the list price of $2,399. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums10:15 pmiOS 18.2: Apple’s new Mail app gets biggest redesign ever
Apple's revamped Mail app in iOS 18.2 offers a fresh look and feel. While the mailbox screen remains familiar, opening an inbox reveals… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.10:07 pmBuy a new XGIMI projector at a discount during Black Friday 2024
XGIMI is known for having a full range of projectors, whether you want to use them at home or on the go. During Black Friday 2024, you can upgrade your home entertainment with a new XGIMI projector at special prices. more…10:00 pmThreads app finally lets users watch videos in landscape
Following an update that made Custom Feeds available to everyone, the Threads app is getting another huge new feature. Users can finally watch landscape videos in the mobile app – something essential that wasn’t available until now. more…09:26 pmThe ‘new era’ for Siri will be even messier than we thought
Apple says we’re living in ‘a new era’ for Siri thanks to Apple Intelligence. Is that true? Sort of. But the answer is a whole lot messier than you might expect, and getting even more so with the latest Mark Gurman report. more…08:38 pmFeature request: Apple should merge Spotlight and Type to Siri on iOS and macOS
Apple has given a lot of attention to Siri in iOS 18 and macOS 15, as the virtual assistant now integrates with ChatGPT and will soon work with Apple Intelligence. One of the changes made is that it’s now easier to interact with Siri just by typing – and I believe this feature should be combined with Spotlight. more…08:32 pmThe latest Apple TV+ lineup is arguably the streamer’s best ever
I’ve been saying it a lot lately, but Apple TV+ is having a very good run of shows at the moment. Not long ago, I highlighted how the streamer owned three of the best shows running on air anywhere. But the current lineup gives that recent peak a run for its money. With the three series airing right now, Apple TV+ might just have its best lineup ever. more…08:21 pmiPhone 17 Slim probably won't have a telephoto camera
The rumored iPhone 17 Slim won't have a telephoto camera on the back, with a report insisting it will still be a Pro-level feature in 2025.Renders of what the iPhone 17 Slim could look likeThe iPhone 17 Slim is thought to include quite a few impressive features, but it won't be a Pro-grade device. That means it won't be getting a telephoto camera at all.In a report from TheElec about LG Innotek investing 375.9 billion won ($267.4 million) into new camera module facilities, it discusses the target market for the modules. It reveals that the modules will be destined for the iPhone 17 generation, Apple's 2025 smartphone line. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:16 pmHow to use the new iOS 18 iPhone Control Center
The iPhone Control Center is a feature that hadn't changed all that much in recent years, but iOS 18 brings with it some big improvements. Here's how to get the most out of it.iOS 18 updated Control Center with new customization options.Control Center has long offered iPhone owners a quick and easy way to access and toggle features like Wi-Fi, cellular data, and more. But the number of options available to iPhone owners was previously limited and the layout was cramped with just a single page of buttons available.That's all changed with the launch of iOS 18, with Apple adding multiple groups to separate buttons as well as support for more types of buttons — including support for third-party buttons from many of the apps that you use the most. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:01 pmApple TV+ drama ‘Your Friends & Neighbors,’ starring Jon Hamm, lands early season two renewal | Mac Daily NewsApple TV+ drama ‘Your Friends & Neighbors,’ starring Jon Hamm, lands early season two renewal
Apple TV+ on Friday announced an early renewal for its highly anticipated new drama, “Your Friends & Neighbors,” starring Jon Hamm, and… The post Apple TV+ drama ‘Your Friends & Neighbors,’ starring Jon Hamm, lands early season two renewal appeared first on MacDailyNews.07:30 pmGet all-time low prices on iPads for Black Friday [Price drops!]
iPad Black Friday deals include some of the lowest prices ever on a selection of Apple's entry-level tablets. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)