Cybersecurity is not as complicated as you think. All you need to do is follow a few steps to protect the safety of your Mac. Though Mac already has its own inbuilt security settings, they are not so useful when it comes to advancing security threats. This is why one cannot just rely on these security settings completely.
So here we are for your rescue. We have compiled a list of six tips you should use to secure your Mac.
Keep MacOS and programs up to date
Keeping your software and programs up to date is possibly the best possible way to protect your Mac from hackers. Cyber attackers usually target outdated software and technology because they know to look for security flaws that developers only fix in newer versions.
It is extremely simple to upgrade your macOS software to the most recent OS X version. Just click on the Apple icon on the upper left side of your screen, Click on About This Mac > Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions.
After installing the most recent macOS software, you can configure future OS X upgrades to be installed automatically, whenever a new update is available. Click on Automatically keep my Mac up to date in the Software Update setting of System Preferences.
It is also very simple to keep all of your programs and apps up to date. Navigate to the App Store tab in your System Preferences and makes sure that the Automatically check for updates and Install app updates boxes are ticked.
Modify the Security and Privacy Preferences
Some default settings on your Mac may allow Apple and other apps to share and view your data, along with other details.
This data set includes: Passwords for devices, navigating to your contacts, calendars, and other personal information by the app, location-based services, data sharing for diagnostics and usage.
To begin, go to the Security & Privacy section of System Preferences. Under the General tab, you can set a password for your Mac, disable automatic logins, and adjust the time required for a password to be needed after your Mac enters sleep mode. One of the safest (and simplest) ways to keep your data secure is to use a secure device password.
You should also take care of a few privacy settings. Under the Privacy tab, you’ll see a list of all the apps that can navigate to your data, such as your location, contacts, calendars, and other information.
By clicking Diagnostics & Usage and disabling the appropriate settings, you can also see if you’re unknowingly sending usage data to Apple. Simply uncheck the apps you don’t want to allow access to your data and select if you want your Mac usage data sent to Apple automatically.
Use an Antivirus
There are numerous antivirus programs available, but many of them are ineffective at protecting against macOS-specific malware, especially now that cybercriminals are directly targeting Macs with advanced malware.
Apple’s built-in security features are insufficient to protect your Mac from threats such as Ransomware, Spyware, Keyloggers, Phishing attacks, Breach of data.
Antivirus software such as Intego and Airo AV are specifically created to safeguard Macs from a wide range of threats such as ransomware and web attacks. When picking a Mac antivirus, make sure to look for these features:
- Advanced malware protection
- Password Manager
- Ransomware removal kit
- Web security
- Protection against phishing
Use a Privacy-Conscious Browser
It can be difficult to stay safe and secure while browsing the web. Safari, Apple’s built-in internet browser, isn’t the safest in terms of online security and privacy — you’ll still be vulnerable to malicious websites and phishing attacks.
Other popular browsers, such as Google Chrome, will not protect your privacy as well. One of the best ways to stay safe online is to use a different secure browser. One of the best ways to stay safe online is to use a different secure browser like Brave, Opera, or Tor.
These privacy-conscious browsers include built-in tools to ensure that websites aren’t monitoring your browsing activity or IP address in order to determine your physical location. Brave’s browser also prevents malicious scripts that are hidden in scam websites, which can be used to hack your device without your knowledge.
Although the browsers mentioned earlier are the finest for security and privacy, but some of you may prefer to use your default browser. In this scenario, you can download Safari or Google Chrome add-ons that are equally effective at online security.
These add-ons block all ads and prevent websites from tracking your internet browsing activity. They also work to protect you from phishing websites, which are websites designed by hackers to look like popular websites and entice you to enter your login information so that they can steal your accounts and personal data.
Many antivirus software packages include simple-to-install ad blockers and tracking link add-ons, such as Avira’s Safe Shopping or Norton’s Safe Web.
Setup a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
VPNs mask your original IP address and substitute it with one in a completely different location. This means that an attacker and websites will be unable to trace your connection and pinpoint your exact location, allowing you to remain completely anonymous online.
VPNs also secure your browsing data, so hackers can’t see what you’re doing even if they can spy on you. VPNs are used for a variety of reasons, one of the most common being the ability to access geographically restricted content.
Certain Netflix shows, for example, are only available in the United Kingdom. To get around this geo-restriction, you can use a VPN to modify your IP address to the UK and then log in to view Netflix content in the UK.
While standalone VPN apps like ExpressVPN are available, many antivirus packages, such as Norton 360 and TotalAV, also include high-quality VPNs in their Mac antivirus packages.
Make use of a Password Manager
What steps are you taking to keep your account passcodes up-to-date and secure? As previously stated, using a strong passcode to lock your Mac is critical. But what about when you log in to online accounts, such as social media accounts and online banking sites?
A password manager can be useful for a variety of reasons, like keeping your passwords safe, easily generating new complex passwords, when logging in to websites and apps you save time, and keeping card details for online purchases.
iCloud Keychain is Apple’s own password manager. It saves and secures your account login details, passwords, and payment card details. AES 256-bit encryption is also known as “military-grade encryption,” is used to encrypt all data.
While iCloud Keychain is useful, it is restricted as it can only be used with Apple products such as Safari. This means you simply wouldn’t be able to use it to log in to sites that require a different browser.
Furthermore, unlike other password managers, it will not notify you if your passwords are compromised as a result of a data breach. You also won’t be able to instantly keep passwords up to date with a single click, which means you’ll have to change them one by one.
There are numerous excellent substitute password managers for Mac. Dashlane, for example, allows you to log into any app or site using any browser you want. Dashlane also allows you to instantly convert all of your old passwords into new and complex passwords with a single click.
These are the basic security rules one should follow to ensure that they’re not the victim of the next big threat. There is no perfect cure to protect your Mac, but these tips can make it a little more difficult for hackers to access your data. So what are you still thinking about, go and see have you been following any of these tips in your Mac or you could be the next cyberattack victim.
