A quick walk-through of the Managed Software Update software management system.
Category Archives: Mac/OSX
Update your Mac to the latest OS release
Please follow these steps to update your system:
1. TimeMachine backup: Locate your drive. Connect it. Run a backup.
(need help? check out this guide: http://kb.danahall.org/time-machine/ )
2. Pick a time to install. This process will take 20 – 60 minutes. This can be done at the end of the day before you leave (as long as you cover step 4!) or over lunch break. PLEASE do not run this update right before class / a meeting where you will need your workstation.
3. Go to Managed Software Center and run the update “Install OSX High Sierra”
(need help? check out this guide: http://kb.danahall.org/managed-software-center/ )
4. Don’t walk away! When your system restarts you will need to log back in to your encrypted workstation to kick off the final install.
5. Get coffee, lunch, read a good book (part of one, anyway) while your system updates. Usually the process will take 20 minutes, but a nice, full hard drive can take up to an hour.
5. Log back in and run any remaining updates in Managed Software Center.
If you run into ANY trouble with these steps, please do not hesitate to email helpdesk@danahall.org or swing by the technology office, and we would be happy to guide you.
You can also contact us at helpdesk@danahall.org to arrange a time to have your computer completely re-imaged. This can help you to get a “fresh start” with your computer, and usually results in a smoother-running system. Please send an email to helpdesk@danahall.org to schedule a time.
Removing large files from your Hard Drive
About This Mac
(1) Click on the Apple Menu
(2) Select “About This Mac”
(3) Click the “Storage” tab
Storage Manager
(1) Find the Computer’s drive in the list, and click “Manage”
(2) From the Storage Manager , select “Documents”
(3) You can sort by “Large Files”, “Downloads” of “File Browser”.
If you select File Browser, you can see files on your computer listed by size, and you can drag unwanted files directly to the trash from this window.
If Your Mac’s Hard Drive Full? – Data Management and You
Here are a few pointers that might give you the “extra gigs”.
Continue reading If Your Mac’s Hard Drive Full? – Data Management and You
Two-factor Authentication for Apple ID
Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security for your Apple ID designed to ensure that you’re the only person who can access your account password. The following article is a brief overview of how it works.
Courtesy of Apple Support
How to back up your device using iCloud or iTunes
The following article will guide you through the backup process via iCloud or iTunes.
Courtesy of Apple Support
How to Uninstall Mackeeper
MacKeeper is a program which often appears as part of “scareware” ads. These ads are designed to trick individuals into downloading potentially malicious software. Scareware ads typically generate pop-up windows that resemble computer system-generated messages indicating the computer is infected with counterfeit antivirus and antispyware software or a first aid utility software. We would highly recommend you remove MacKeeper from your machine.
One of the best anti-malware software tools available that Dana Hall recommends is Malware Bytes. Download a free Mac OSX version from here.
Courtesy of Malwarebytes
Gatekeeper on OSX
What is Gatekeeper?
Gatekeeper helps protect your Mac from apps that could adversely affect it.
Some apps downloaded and installed from the Internet could adversely affect your Mac. Apps downloaded from the Apple App Store and Identified Developers are automatically permitted to run. Other apps that you can verify that were obtained form a legitimate source can be manually verified to run. Once you verify an application, it will be permitted to run every time.
Gatekeeper Deny
If an application is not from the Apple App Store, or an Apple identified developer, you will see this dialog when the application attempts to run.
Allow an App
You can explicitly allow an application to run. Please be sure you know where you obtained this application, and that it was from a legitimate source. Also please be conscious of weither this application is necessary for your Dana workstation.
Hold the “control” key on your keyboard, then click on the Application’s icon.
You will be presented with a contextual menu with several options.
Select “Open”.
Confirm App
After selecting “Open”, you will be presented with a dialog that will allow you to confirm this application to run.
This dialog will confirm the name of the application, and what application downloaded it and when.
If you are sure you would like to run this application, click “Open”.
Additional Information
Additional information about Gatekeeper can be found on Apple’s support website at: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491
Using Time Machine on OS X
This guide will describe the process for configuring Time Machine on your Mac. It will also show you how to check to see if Time Machine is properly backing up and when the last completed backup occurred.
Requires an external harddrive
Block/Allow Popups (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
This guide will walk you through the process of blocking or allowing pop-ups in the following browsers:
**Click any of the browser names above to navigate to the steps for that browser.**
Continue reading Block/Allow Popups (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)