Apple security update causes browser issues

OS X security update breaks Safari browser

Apple has published a new version of a security update issued last Monday.

The computer maker refers to the patch as Security Update 2006-002 v1.1. The company said in a knowledge base article that after installing the initial update, "Safari might have a blank icon that won't launch Safari. "

This most likely happened when users moved the browser out of the Applications folder, the article noted.

The SANS Internet Storm Center pointed out that some users also repoted connection speed problems.

Over on Apple's user forum, users complained that after installing Monday's patch, their network connection speeds dropped significantly.

"Everything still works but is very slow," wrote a user by the name of Oliver Lu. 

Other users chimed in: "I've noticed the same thing. I thought my ISP was on the fritz tonight, but now I'm worried the Security Update is the culprit," noted Clayhilm.

Lu later reported on the same forum that the version 1.1 of the update eliminated the speed problems in most applications, but complained that his Safari browser remained sluggish.

Another user complained that he couldn't log in to his system after applying the patch.

Apple issued the original security update on Monday. The patch addressed previously patched security problems that let the Safari browser automatically open malicious files, and could have exposed users to archives with embedded JavaScript. Attackers could have used both flaws to take control of a system.

Users can apply the patch through OS X's software update feature or by manually downloading the file from Apple's website.