Get Safe Downloads List update information

Mac OS X Hints has posted a neat little trick to know when Safari’s safe file list was last updated.

This list is updated by Apple to include information on malware that could be downloaded from the Internet. This list was updated this week to include information on MacDefender.

Here are the Terminal commands. Note that it’s all in one line.

Date and Time (GMT):

defaults read /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/XProtect.meta LastModification

Version Number:

defaults read /System/Library/CoreServices/CoreTypes.bundle/Contents/Resources/XProtect.meta Version

If Terminal scares you, just take our word for it that this works. Of course, it is strongly recommend that the “Open ‘safe’ files after downloading” option in Safari has been unchecked.
Stephen Hackett, formerly a Lead Mac Genius at Apple, now spends his days running the IT department of a large non-profit in Memphis, TN. He writes about Apple, design and journalism at forkbombr.net. Like all twenty-somethings, you can find him… Full Bio