A few Mac users are concerned about a feature in the latest update to Mac OS that directs their computers to check in with Apple Computer's servers on a regular basis without the user's knowledge or permission.
Apple released an update to Mac OS last week that fixed a few bugs and added some features. One feature Apple added was described as the ability to verify that a widget was an authentic program. Widgets are small software programs that provide Mac users with little bits of useful information, like the weather report or stock tickers.
Some bloggers have become concerned that Apple is collecting information without their authorization, after the recent furor caused by Microsoft's WGA Notification program, which checks Windows PCs to make sure they are running a genuine copy of the operating system.
A Mac with the latest version of Mac OS, version 10.4.7, sends a HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) GET command to Apple's servers to verify that the widget is authentic, an Apple representative said. There is no way to turn off the transmission, which takes place about every eight hours, and the user is not prompted before the transmission is made.
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