Gatekeeper!!!
After reading the press release and the various commentaries on the press release, I've got to give credit to Apple for fixing what's been wrong with computing for SOOO long. The found a way to fix give users that want to give the average user a secure desktop computing environment without having to have them to remember to update their virus definitions or having to install 20 layers of crap.
With the launch of Mountain Lion this summer, all of that will happen automatically thanks to good old fashioned code signing, a technology that's existed longer than Windows XP... There I said it. Apple is yet again succeeding where Microsoft has failed so many. What's really great about this is that if you WANT to run unsigned code, you still can. Those apps will still function and the developers won't be losing money. But by running signed code only (the default now), Apple now posseses a kill switch that can completely disable apps that they believe are malware. And knowing Apple, this is going to be implemented in a way that's clear to the user and doesn't require them to posses a CISSP to be able to discern. In Apple fashion, it will yet again be the intersection of Technology and Liberal Arts.
I'm willing to be bet that if Microsoft would have previously released something similar, Kelihos (ok, ok, not Kelhios, but a variant) wouldn't be roaring back to life...
In fairness code signing will not stop all attacks or exploits. See exhbit A, Path. But haivng a centrally managed kill switch will do SO much for user security that's not before been seen on desktop devices. As far as I'm concerned, this now makes Mac's and OS X not a "nice to have" but a "must have" for everyone that cares about their security.
Oh and there were a few other good nuggets coming out in Mountain Lion (10.8) as well. I'm super exicted for Airplay Mirroring from my Mac! And Messages looks slick too especially if Apple can resolved the Caller ID issue by then.
Is it summer yet? :-)
