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Never Run AppleScripts from Untrusted Sources

Terry McAdams — Sat, 02 May 2026 01:06:37 +0000

The latest scam to watch out for is fake websites that try to get you to open Script Editor directly from your browser with a pre-filled AppleScript. Don’t do this! Security researchers at Jamf Threat Labs documented an attack where a convincing Apple-themed page claiming to help “reclaim disk space” prompted users to allow Script Editor to open, then used the applescript:// URL scheme to open a seemingly legitimate script that—if the user ran it—would download and install the Atomic Stealer malware. In macOS 26.4, a new warning in Script Editor flags the script as from an unidentified developer, which should alert more users to the danger. (Yet another reason to install macOS updates!) The rule is simple: never run an AppleScript unless you wrote it yourself or acquired the code from a source you trust. If a website asks to open Script Editor—or any other app—click Cancel, and if you ever see this warning, close the script immediately. No legitimate webpage needs to run scripts on your Mac.

(Featured image based on an original by iStock.com/Prostock-Studio)

Social Media: Attackers are now using fake websites to open Script Editor with pre-filled malicious scripts. Never run an AppleScript from any source you don’t completely trust!

Don’t Assume That Top Google Search Results Are Guaranteed Safe

Terry McAdams — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:15:49 +0000

We hate to encourage paranoia, but all is not well with Google Search. Recently, we’ve heard of multiple instances where people were nearly taken advantage of due to relying on the top result in a Google search. In one case, a user called a purported HP support phone number directly from the search results but ended up speaking with a scammer. In another, a user thought they were downloading the latest version of Dropbox but got malware instead. In neither case could we reproduce the error, but they may have resulted from “SEO poisoning,” a malicious technique in which cybercriminals manipulate search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to elevate harmful websites in search results. In short, don’t assume that a site at the top of Google search results is guaranteed safe when downloading software or contacting a company. It’s best to navigate directly to a company’s official website before trusting that corporate information and software downloads are legitimate.

For more information on all the great Apple products, features, and services, give us a call! 940-767-MACS (6227). Or stop by MacTech Solutions, 4020 Rhea Rd, Suite 3B, Wichita Falls. We’re open Monday thru Friday, 10am to 6pm

(Featured image based on an original by iStock.com/Armastas)

This Day in Tech History: Apple.com is Launched

Mike Hendren — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:15:57 +0000

February 19, 1987–Apple.com is born!

If the date is throwing you off a bit, it’s understandable. Was anything dot com on your mind in 1987? Not likely. This historic event occurred some four years before the World Wide Web was officially launched. Talk about being ahead of the curve!