Apple has introduced a replacement for its existing macOS software that shields the operating system from viruses and malware. The replacement model 147 is now available for macOS Catalina and later, accessible as of October 16. The software installs robotically, in line with the industry-standard procedure for XProtect Remediator.
Howard Oakley was initially credited with reporting the incident. Despite Apple’s lack of transparency regarding XProtect updates, Oakley highlights the uncertainty surrounding the changes.
On a Mac, to verify whether the replacement has been installed, navigate to the System Information app, likely located within the Utilities folder under Applications. Upon launching the app, navigate to the left-hand column, then select the desired option from the list. Within the main portion of the window, a comprehensive inventory becomes visible; clicking on the sort header will allow you to toggle the order and access the “XProtectPayloads” entry by scrolling down or reversing the listing. The applicable update is version 147. This historical record may display earlier versions when accessed.
The setup for replacement should occur automatically; however, you can still control the process using one of the utilities Oakley has developed: SilentKnight, which verifies whether macOS’s security is up-to-date, and LockRattler, which inspects the functionality of macOS’s core safety features. Here are some excellent free utilities that you may find useful:
Take a look at Oakley’s, where the fusion of Mac technical insights and poignant storytelling comes together in a truly compelling way. Oakley is a seasoned Mac developer with a distinguished track record in crafting multiple excellent applications.
