The number of features that macOS offers is astounding. Features like Technologies like XD (execute disable), XProtect, Gatekeeper, Secure Enclave on M1 Chip, etc., make it one of the most powerful devices that users love to buy. Every Mac comes loaded with these core and other related security features and regular updates that make it difficult for hackers to break into your system. Besides, there are many other things that as a responsible user you can do from your side to make it a real fortress. The digital environment is risky and the methods hackers use are also evolving so you need to add extra layers of security. Here are the expert cybersecurity tips you can implement for your Mac.
Table of Contents
Best Cybersecurity Tips For Your Mac
Clean Your Mac Regularly
The number of hours you spend on your devices, including smartphones and computers is a lot. It could easily range from 4 to even 12-14 hours a day. During this time, you create a lot of data – videos, and images, download files in different formats, browse the internet, and allow certain permissions to some sites, etc. This creates a large amount of cookies and fills up the cache fast.
The cache fills up fast and it leads to problems. Besides cleaning the system for video and photos, you need to clear up the cache too. It’s easy and if you do not know how to do that, refer to MacPaw’s post which lists down the entire process in simple words. Having this basic technical knowledge on cleaning up Mac regularly is important so do not ignore it.
Enable The Firewall
Mac has a powerful built-in firewall that offers robust inbound network firewall protection but not outbound. So while keeping it as the first layer of defense against cyberattacks, you should opt for a third-party firewall for increased data protection and keeping malware and hackers at bay.
To make sure that the in-built firewall on macOS is activated, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall and click Turn On Firewall. This will keep your system protected against all inbound and outbound network cyber threats.
Keep Your Software Up to Date
Security patch upgrades to protect your Mac against vulnerabilities that are usually exploited by cyber attackers are important. When buying a computer, this is usually one of the important things people look for – how good your OS is with updates. Be regular in checking that your macOS, apps, and firmware are updated regularly.
Whenever possible, use the latest macOS instead of previous ones and also turn on the automatic updates. In addition to the OS, regularly check for updates on other external software you use for different purposes like media players, collaboration tools, etc.
Turn On Tracking
Thefts happen – it’s real. To make it worse, the cases of Apple devices being stolen are common because of the price they command. In the unfortunate event of your Mac being lost or stolen, the Find My feature proves to be the safest thing. You should activate the ‘Find My’ feature on your Mac.
This feature allows you to locate your device and remotely lock it. If you feel that getting back your Mac is impossible, use this feature to erase all the data on it to prevent unauthorized access. Safeguarding your information should be the first thing to be done if your device is lost or stolen and chances of retrieval are negligible.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
You might be using a trusted email channel and using strong passwords on the system but all of that proves to be of no use if your Wi-Fi security is compromised. Your Wi-Fi network serves as the gateway to your device which makes it an ideal target for cyber criminals.
Besides avoiding public networks, you should bolster your Wi-Fi security by configuring a strong network password. For this, you should use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. You could also hide your network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier). This makes it disappear from the visible network list which potential snoopers or hackers use to break into.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
This is probably one of the easiest steps you can take to protect your Mac. Passwords are your first line of defense. They protect you against unauthorized access to your accounts and devices. Do not use easily guessable passwords like ‘123456’ or ‘ABCD’ or ‘your first name + 1234’. These are just some of the examples. Hackers use different possible combinations to get close to breaking your easy passwords. When setting a password, try to make it complex.
You should ideally use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters like @ $ or %. Use a password manager as it has dual benefits – you don’t need to worry about remembering complex passwords and they provide you protection against password crack attempts by hackers.
Disable Automatic Login
There’s so much stored on your Mac – from personal to professional data. It could be your personal videos or office presentations. You would not want anybody accessing them without your permission. Whenever you choose hosting, email provider, or project management software, the first thing on your mind is the level of security they provide. The same should be on your mind when you use a Mac.
The best way to safeguard it is by not allowing users to log in to your system automatically. It might seem convenient to you to log in with one click but its downside also needs serious consideration. Disable automatic login and set a strong password to log in to your Mac.
Conclusion
When using a Mac, you would expect it to provide you with the best security features to keep your personal and official data safe. The digitally interconnected world presents newer challenges in terms of security so despite the best features of Apple macOS, there are times when hackers manage to steal away your information or commit cyber frauds. This is why you need to be knowledgeable on this front. You need to do every possible thing from your side to make your Mac more secure than usual.