After a series of malware attacks stripped it of its image of invincibility earlier this year, Apple Inc. is baking automatic security updates into its latest OS X operating system.

Enthusiast site AppleInsider.com said OS X Mountain Lion will have an automatic security check feature that kicks in daily or when the Mac restarts.

It said the feature, dubbed “OS X Security Update Test 1.0,” will check with Apple’s servers, and download and install updates in the background.

The site said an update to the Mountain Lion Developer Preview shows a new automated system that runs a daily check with Apple’s servers “to make sure OS X 10.8 users have the most current security patches and protections against known malware and viruses.”

AppleInsider.com also hinted at a “more secure connection” to Apple’s servers, “possibly hinting to new encryption technology or more stringent default settings.”

The beefed-up security updates came in the wake of new threats – including last April’s Flashback Trojan that exploited an unpatched Java exploit in OS X to turn Macs into zombies.

AppleInsider.com said the new Security Update is available as a 1.5-GB download from the Mac App Store.

 It also noted Apple has toned down the language of its OS X webpage, no longer touting that the Mac “doesn’t get PC viruses,” to a less self-incriminating, “It’s built to be safe.” — LBG, GMA News