See Protecting app access to user data for ways that macOS can help protect user data from malware, and Operating system integrity for ways macOS can limit the actions malware can take on the system.In macOS 10.15 Catalina, Apple have made a number of security improvements, including hardening the system by making all executable files subject to scanning by XProtect, regardless of whether the file is tagged with the bit or not. There are additional protections, particularly on a Mac with Apple silicon, to limit the potential damage of malware that does manage to execute. These protections combine to support best-practice protection from viruses and malware. XProtect adds to this defense, along with Gatekeeper and Notarization.įinally, MRT acts to remediate malware that has managed to successfully execute. The next layer of defense is to help ensure that if malware appears on any Mac, it’s quickly identified and blocked, both to halt spread and to remediate the Mac systems it’s already gained a foothold on. The first layer of defense is designed to inhibit the distribution of malware, and prevent it from launching even once-this is the goal of the App Store, and Gatekeeper combined with Notarization. Block malware from running on customer systems: Gatekeeper, Notarization, and XProtectģ. Prevent launch or execution of malware: App Store or Gatekeeper and NotarizationĢ. Malware defenses are structured in three layers:ġ. iPhone Text Message Forwarding securityĪpple operates a threat intelligence process to quickly identify and block malware.How iMessage sends and receives messages.Adding transit and student ID cards to Wallet.Rendering cards unusable with Apple Pay.Adding credit or debit cards to Apple Pay.Protecting access to user’s health data.How Apple protects users’ personal data.Activating data connections securely in iOS and iPadOS.Protecting user data in the face of attack.

Protecting keys in alternate boot modes.Encryption and Data Protection overview.UEFI firmware security in an Intel-based Mac.Additional macOS system security capabilities.recoveryOS and diagnostics environments.Contents of a LocalPolicy file for a Mac with Apple silicon.

LocalPolicy signing-key creation and management.

Boot process for iOS and iPadOS devices.

Secure intent and connections to the Secure Enclave.

Touch ID, Face ID, passcodes, and passwords.

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