Just because your Mac is more secure than a Windows computer doesn’t mean you should make the mistake of feeling that it’s invincible and getting lax about security measures. As great as their security is, Macs aren’t invulnerable to cyber-attacks. You should understand the risks that Mac users face and the precautionary measures you can take to protect your device.
Cyber Risks That Mac Users Face
There’s one big risk that Mac users face in cyberspace and that’s phishing. It’s very difficult to infect a Mac with a virus, but there are hackers out there who have dedicated all of their time and resources trying to figure out how to hack a Mac. So far, the only way in for a cyber-attack is through fake or misleading apps and links that the user downloads unknowingly.
5 Measures to Secure Your Mac Device
To ensure your safety and keep your data secure, follow the top five security tips below.
Use a VPN
Whether you use a Mac or Windows PC, an Android or iPhone, browsing the Internet on any device is much more safe and secure when you use a VPN. Using a VPN on your Mac keeps your identity and location private and encrypts all incoming and outgoing data. When you browse with a VPN, no one can see your browsing history or personal details, including hackers, your ISP, and even the government. It’s especially important to use a VPN if you need to connect to a public Wi-Fi hotspot as these connections are often unsecured and on an open network.
Use a Guest Account for Daily Activity
Don’t use the admin account for everything you do on your Mac. Create a guest account that you can use for day-to-day activities. The admin account should be used only for installing updates and software that you choose to install. Using a separate account for your daily activities will help ensure that malicious software doesn’t find its way onto your computer without you knowing because you’ll need to log in to the admin account to permit any updates and installations.
Manage Your Passwords
Always set a passcode to log in to your Mac on startup or after sleep mode. Even if you’re the only one who uses your computer, you never know whether it will be stolen or a friend or family member will use it and accidentally infect it. Create a guest account for other users and set passcodes for each. Other passwords should be secure, which means that they should contain a combination of numbers and letters and shouldn’t be easy to guess. Every account you have should have a different password. You can manage your passwords simply and securely by using a trusted password manager.
Set Location Controls
While it’s good to keep your location settings on for certain apps and features, there are many apps and features that use your location unnecessarily. Open your location controls to see a list of all the apps that are using your location and turn it off for the ones you don’t need.
Encrypt Your Data
If you keep private data or confidential information on your Mac as many people do, you should use the built-in encryption program called FileVault to ensure the security of such data. When turned on, FileVault encrypts all of the information stored on your computer so that it can’t be accessed without a password.
Don’t rely on Mac’s basic security features alone to keep your computer safe. Be proactive and follow the tips above to ensure that your data is secure and your privacy is protected
