5 Mac Tips To Boost Your Security
Do you follow these tips?
Apple strives to make its devices and operating systems as secure as possible. When it comes to the iPhone and iOS, this is where it succeeds best, as it’s virtually impossible to hack it in any way. Many users think the Mac is the same, but that’s not quite the case here.
We have a lot more freedom within macOS, which can lead to all sorts of security issues. But if you want to ensure you’re as secure as possible on your Mac, here are five tips that will come in handy.
Strong passwords
The absolute alpha and omega of security in the modern world use a strong password. And this doesn’t just apply to internet accounts but also individual devices. Just think about everything hidden under your Mac password — documents, photos, other passwords, and everything else.
Many users don’t use strong passwords, and I know several people with the space bar as their password. It’s not a good thing, and I recommend changing your password. It’s one of the few passwords you have to remember. Plus, we already have Touch ID on newer Macs. To change your password, go to → System Preferences → Users & Groups, where you can click on your profile on the left and then the Change Password button on the right…
FileVault
Want to ensure that even if your Mac is lost or stolen, no one can access the data stored on it? If so, activate FileVault, which takes care of completely encrypting all the data that can never be accessed without a decryption key. To start FileVault, go to → System Preferences → Security & Privacy → FileVault. Here, press the lock icon in the bottom left, authorize yourself with a password, and then click Turn on FileVault… After that, go through the setup wizard.
Application accesses
Like on the iPhone, on the Mac, you need to allow apps to access particular data types or various functions and sensors. If you deny app access, it’s simply out of luck. However, checking app access from time to time is a good idea. You might accidentally allow app access.
So to check, go to → System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy. Here, you’ll find the categories on the left, and clicking on them will show you a list of apps with (dis)allowed access. For some classes, you need to authorize yourself by tapping the lock on the bottom left.
Change the name
Did you know that users in your area can easily find the name of your Mac, iPhone, or iPad? If you’re wondering how the answer is simple — with AirDrop. Many users have their name set in the name for AirDrop, along with the name of the device, i.e., for example, Paul — MacBook Pro.
So to maintain anonymity and security, you should remove the name and not use it. To change your Mac’s reputation for AirDrop, go to → System Preferences → Sharing. Here, click the lock icon in the bottom left, authenticate, and then make the desired changes in the Computer Name field at the top.
Lock settings
Suppose you have to leave your Mac temporarily. In that case, you should automatically lock it through the menu or with the shortcut Control + Command + Q. Occasionally, however, you may forget to manually lock your Mac, which is a security issue since your Mac remains unlocked and accessible for some time.
For this reason, you should automatically set it to lock after a short period of inactivity. First, go to → System Preferences → Battery, where in the Battery and Adapter sections, set the Monitor Off for the time you want the monitor to shut down (i.e., lock the device). Next, be sure to go to → System Preferences → Security & Privacy → General, where for Require password after sleeping or starting the saver, set to Immediately. This will ensure that the Mac also locks immediately after the screen is turned off.
Thank you for reading this article! If you enjoyed it, please leave me 👏🏻 and follow me for more content like this! 😊👍
