Give your Mac an extra layer of protection against outside threats.
Apple computers are well known for their sleek design and ease of use. However, as with any computer system, Macs need security in order to protect users from malicious software and online threats. Computers can be hacked and users’ personal information, such as bank account numbers and passwords, can be stolen.
Macs come equipped with a variety of security features that can help keep your data safe and protect you from potential online attacks, but they can still be vulnerable to online attacks. As a Mac user, it’s important to be aware of your online surroundings and stay vigilant when it comes to your Mac’s security. There are a variety of ways to protect your Mac, and the best solution for each person depends on their needs. Here are a few ways to make your Mac more secure and less prone to outside attacks.
Keep your system and applications up to date.
Even though they can sometimes be a hassle and take time away from daily tasks, completing updates that are available for your system and applications that you use on your computer is an essential piece of a computer’s security puzzle. Operating system (OS) and application updates are important for several reasons.
First, updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities in the software. If these vulnerabilities are not patched, they could be exploited by attackers to gain access to your computer or data. Second, updates can include improvements or new features for the OS or applications. These enhancements can make your computer run faster or more efficiently.
Finally, failing to install updates can leave your computer vulnerable to attacks or performance issues. For these reasons, it is important to keep your OS and applications up to date.
Enable the native macOS Firewall.
One of the security options that is incorporated into macOS natively is a Firewall. A firewall is a security system that is used to protect a computer or network from unauthorized access. Firewalls can be software or hardware-based. They work by blocking incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined rules. Firewalls are important because they help protect networks from hackers and other cyber threats. They can also help secure data and protect against malware and other infections.
Even though macOS has a built-in Firewall available, many users never activate it. Some users can see Firewalls as annoying because they can block some application activity. This type of annoyance is usually just a momentary lapse in how a user interacts with their system and with a simple system permission allowance, it can be avoided in the future. That said, many users don’t want to take that step when it comes up so they leave the macOS Firewall deactivated. This is not recommended because it can leave your entire system open to outside attacks.
To activate the built-in macOS Firewall, go to the Apple icon and open System Preferences. Select Security & Privacy and click on the Firewall tab. There is a button that says “Turn Off Firewall” or “Turn On Firewall” depending on the state of the system Firewall. When the Firewall is enabled, there is a green dot and the words “Firewall: On” across from the on/off button. You will also notice that there is a Firewall Options button below the on/off button. This is where you can set application-specific permissions. Apple has good knowledgebase information through support.apple.com to help users determine the best options for their specific macOS version.
Use an anti-virus program.
While a Firewall will help to decrease and in some cases, completely eliminate, outside infection factors to your Mac, you should also use antivirus software to keep your software updated and help protect your computer from malicious activity. According to information provided by McAfee, Mac users are less likely to be infected with malware than PC users. However, it’s still important for Mac users to take basic precautions to protect their computers from viruses and other threats. Installing anti-virus software is the best way to ensure your system is free of malware and other hazardous infections.
There are several antivirus software solutions available for computers running macOS. Here are a couple of our favorites.
Malware Bytes – This program is available at malwarebytes.com and is a good all-in-one cyber protection option for all types of users. Malware Bytes cleans up an already infected computer, protects user identity and privacy from hackers, protects documents and financial files from ransomware, protects users from malicious and fake websites, stops malware that degrades computer performance, and crushes malware attacks that corrupt your programs. The free option includes all these features, but on a limited basis. The full, premium version pricing starts at $40/year.
CleanMyMacX – This application is a good all-around performance software package for macOS users. The app has more than 30 tools built-in to provide help for the most common Mac issues. CleanMyMac X monitors your system health, ensures your programs are up to date and provides personalized cleanup tips based on how the user utilizes their Mac.
In addition to its impressive system tool package, CleanMyMacX also provides a virus and adware scanner. If any is found the app will delete any threats. CleanMyMacX is available through the Mac App Store, Setapp, and macpaw.com. The pricing starts at $39.95 per year (subscription) or $89.95 one-time purchase (for one machine). The free trial includes a lot of the full version features with some limitations.
Set strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Setting strong passwords is one of the best ways to protect your Mac from unauthorized access. To create a strong password, make sure it is at least 8 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Rather than attempt to create unique passwords manually, we recommend employing the use of a password generator. Many password managers have generators built-in, but if you need a separate app for it, we recommend Sklv Password Generator. It’s a simple option that is very easy to understand. It operates on a closed network and does not transmit any data to the Internet, which is an added layer of protection for the user.
Along with strong passwords, users should always enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. This will require you to enter a unique code sent to your phone in order to log in to your account. Again, there are many options available for this type of service, but our preference is to use Authenticator App from 2Stable. This system makes 2FA very convenient because it has apps for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Authenticator App is free to download but has some limitations on features until the user purchases the premium version of the app, which is $9.99 per year.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few simple ways you can protect your Mac. Your protection is in your hands and it is possible to shield yourself and your system from outside threats. All of the options we outlined in this article – using a Firewall along with an Antivirus program, keeping your system and applications updated, and using strong passwords with 2FA – are all steps that can make it much harder for outside forces to infiltrate your system. If you follow these tips, you can help minimize risks to your Mac.