Follow Up--Apple Security Update 7-18-02

was released Saturday as we were first to post on the weekend. Brian Nakamoto provided these additional details on the update from Apple:

"It contains Software Update client version 1.4.7 which adds cryptographic signature verification to the software update command line tool thereby increasing the security of the Software Update process.

The software update command line tool is primarily designed as a means for XServe system administrators to easily update a Mac OS X server.

The previous release of Software Update client 1.4.6 provided two ways to run the software update process: via the existing graphical user interface within System Preferences, and as a command line tool. Software Update client 1.4.6 was released via Security Update 7-12-02 to provide cryptographic signature verification as quickly as possible for the more widely-used graphical user interface provided within System Preferences.

Software Update client 1.4.7 now contains the cryptographic signature verification via either means of invoking the software update process. Customers can now choose to run Software Update either via the command line or from within the System Preferences application.

Further information on the softwareupdate command line tool is available via "man softwareupdate" after installation."

-- Weekend, July 20-21 --

[Update: 4:30p ET 7/20] Apple Mac OS X Security Update 7-18-02 is available via the Software Update preference pane or as a direct download. From Apple,

"Security Update 7-18-02 delivers a more secure Software Update service, as well as an updated Software Update command line tool, to verify that future updates originate from Apple."

[Dana Baggett]