This is bad

Apple's M-series chips have a serious encryption flaw.

Author

Leander Kahney
March 22, 2024

Uh-oh.

Researchers discovered a pretty bad flaw in some Apple M-series processors, which power several generations of Macs and iPads.

The flaw reveals encryption keys, and could be used by hackers to get credit card information or read encrypted messages.

Worse, it’s baked into the Apple silicon itself — a hardwired fault that can be patched, but at significant cost to performance.

However, there are ways to protect yourself if you own an affected machine. Read the details here.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • The DOJ’s antitrust case against Apple is monumental: It’s the biggest legal challenge Apple has ever faced. But the case is based on old practices, and is surprisingly weak.

  • Bluetti’s portable power stations are things of beauty, and the latest are well-protected from dust and rain.

  • I’m still puzzled how CdkeySales can sell Windows for so cheap.

  • Cult of Mac writer David Snow is a fan of Soundcore’s inexpensive but excellent earbuds and headphones -- which are up to half off in a big sale.

  • Yesterday’s poll showed this newsletter’s readers think the DOJ should stay away from suing Apple for antitrust. Only one reader voted that Apple should be sued. See the results below.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Hackers can exploit flaw in Apple M-series processors

Understand the potential impact of a vulnerability in Apple's M-series processors that could lead to unauthorized access to encrypted data.

Why the DOJ's antitrust lawsuit against Apple is weak

It's the biggest legal challenge Apple has faced, but the arguments in the DOJ's antitrust case appear to be based on outdated info.

How to tag photos on iPhone with people and pets

Tag photos on your iPhone with the names of your friends, family and pets so you can easily find pictures of them later on.

A message from CdkeySales

CdkeySales March Madness Sale: $17 for Windows 10 Pro, $22 for 11 Pro

The March Madness Sale at CdkeySales includes a host of slam-dunk deals on crucial Microsoft productivity software.

Powerful new desktop speakers put on light show, charge gadgets

Packing 70 watts of power and hi-res audio certification, Edifier's new QR65 Active Monitor Speakers act as a GaN charger, too.

Would you pay $180,000 for Steve Jobs' business card?

Steve Jobs' Apple Computer business card sells at auction for a value that may set a new record for a business card with a signature.

Travel-friendly folding wireless charger can handle 3 Apple devices at once

Wirelessly charge three devices -- iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods -- with this folding charging station that's perfect for home or travel.

A message from Bluetti

Bluetti's tough new portable power station resists dust and rain

The new AC240 weatherproof portable power station from Bluetti keeps your camping gear going and more.

Get up to half off great Soundcore headphones and earbuds

Amazon's Big Spring Sale offers fantastic deals on some excellent audio products -- up to half off Soundcore earbuds and headphones.

Get 1TB of cloud storage at a best-of-web price

This Koofr lifetime cloud storage plan gives you 1TB of space, accessible from any device. Get it for just $129.97 (regularly $810).

Today in Apple history: PowerCD paves the way toward a lucrative future

On March 22, 1993, Apple launched the PowerCD, a CD player that worked as an external CD drive for Macs. It failed, but was a sign of things to come.

Smackdown: Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3 [Setups]

Among Apple users, our setups coverage shows users divided. It's Magic Mouse vs. Logitech MX Master 3. Where do you stand?

Tweetz o’ the day

One more thing ...

❝

For most things in life, the range between best and average is 30% or so. The best airplane flight, the best meal, they may be 30% better than your average one. What I saw with Woz was somebody who was 50 times better than the average engineer. He could have meetings in his head. The Mac team was an attempt to build a whole team like that, A players. People said they wouldn’t get along, they’d hate working with each other. But I realized that A players like to work with A players, they just didn’t like working with C players. At Pixar, it was a whole company of A players. When I got back to Apple, that’s what I decided to try to do. You need to have a collaborative hiring process. When we hire someone, even if they’re going to be in marketing, I will have them talk to the design folks and the engineers. My role model was J. Robert Oppenheimer. I read about the type of people he sought for the atom bomb project. I wasn’t nearly as good as he was, but that’s what I aspired to do.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

How old is your iPad?

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Results from yesterday’s poll: Should Apple be sued for antitrust?

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