Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29th November, 2017.

Blimey … 

That’s a rarity … 

I’m a Mac fan: noted for it, in fact.

Partly, because it’s got a better reputation for security.

So I was mildly surprised to hear that there’s a security flaw in the latest version of macOS operating system, called High Sierra*.

Apparently, and if you have physical access to the machine, you can go to log in page, type in ‘root’ in to the name field, then hit enter a few times.

It logs you in: and logs you in as a root user: with seriously powerful access to every aspect of the machine.

However, Apple has issued a work-around — here, in the Change the Root Password section — and is working on an update that plugs the flaw.

Hopefully?

That should solve things.

Right now, though?

That’s quite a slip for a company with such a good rep for security.

~≈§≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi† putting in her answers: scoring five out of five in the process.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video …

Q1) 29th November is William Tubman’s Birthday: a public holiday in which African country?

Q2) A power sharing executive government was voted in: on 29th November, 1999.   In which country of the UK?

Q3) 29th November, 1995, saw the birth of British Olympian, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor.   She represents the UK in which sport: Dressage, swimming or track cycling?

Q4) 29th November, 1960, saw the birth of actress, Cathy Moriarty.   In  which 1980, Martin Scorsese, movie did she make her first film appearance?

Q5) Finally … Atari released Pong on 29th November, 1972.   Atari’s name means ‘attack’ — approximately — in Japanese: and is used in which Japanese game?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) The director of the short film, Coward, was born on 28th November, 1987.   Which Jumanji star is that director?

A1) She’s turned up, again: Karen Gillan.

Q2) Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto was publicly on 28th November, 1811.   It’s also know as the what concerto?

A2) The Emperor Concerto.

Q3) Albania declared its independence: on 28th November, 1912.   From where: the Russian Empire, France or the Ottoman Empire?

A3) The Ottoman Empire.

Q4) 28th November, 1967, saw two astronomers discover PSR B1919+21.   The object is a what: quasar, pulsar or enigma?

A4) It might be an enigma.   It’s definitely a pulsar.

Q5) Finally … 28th November, 1904, saw the birth of writer, Nancy Mitford.   Her best known work was Love in a Cold … what?

A5) Love in a Cold Climate.

Here’s a thought …

“If we must perish, why not fight to the death?”

Empress Dowager Cixi, 29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908.

And music by Gaetano Donizetti … 

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a good day … 

*        The various bits and bobs I’ve seen, tell me you type in the word ‘root’ into the user name box, and leave the password box empty.   I don’t know if this would work as a solution.   But in Lion, the version of Mac OS X I’m using, you can set up the log-in screen to either that form — typing in the name and a password — or to a version where you get a list of names, you pick yours, and then type in a password.   I haven’t checked: but believe that may also prevent problems, if it doesn’t add ‘Root’ to the list.   (There’s also no mention in the news articles, of whether this affects earlier versions of macOS.)

†        Saying that, Debbi?   I get the impression from my Black British co-workers, that things are better than they were … but still not perfect … what can I tell you, there?   Either way … ?   You’re right, Casablanca’s a stunner of a movie, and I’m glad to have seen it!   (Amazingly?   It seems most of the European members of the cast — including Conrad Veidt, who played Major Strasser — had fled Nazi Germany or it’s Actions.   They were refugees … makes you think …)