Apple sold more than 20 million Macs in 2020. Those numbers were even higher the following year.
Hundreds of millions of people rely on a MacBook every day. They are fast, powerful, and reliable. And with a few basic security steps, they are one of the least likely devices to be hacked.
But there’s always a risk. Your sensitive information might be at risk if your Mac is physically stolen or a hacker gains access to your computer.
Wondering what your Mac security options are? Luckily, you can take a few quick and easy steps right now to protect information on Mac computers. Keep reading below for ten important Mac security tips.
1. Set a Mac Login Password
When you set up a Mac computer, you must create a device passcode. This passcode is just a few digits long, but it’s essential.
This passcode is used to make any changes to your device. Not only that, but that passcode can lock your computer completely, preventing anyone from using it while you aren’t looking.
To lock your computer using your passcode, visit System Preferences and click Security and Privacy.
Click “Require Password” and set a time limit. After a few minutes of inactivity, the computer can lock, preventing anyone from accessing it while you’re in the break room, out on a phone call, or if the device was stolen.
2. Disable Automatic Login
When you start up your Mac, by default, it logs you into your admin account right away instead of additional user accounts. This can be convenient but also poses a threat.
Anyone who can take your computer can log in simply by turning the computer off. Luckily, you can turn off automatic login to prevent this.
By visiting the same menu in your System Preferences, you can see which user will be logged in automatically, and you can turn off this function to prevent automatic logins.
3. Password Protect Your Hard Drive
Your hard drive stores all of the information on your computer. And you can easily keep that information private and secure by encrypting it. This makes the data inaccessible to other users who are trying to snoop.
To encrypt your data, visit System Preferences, click on FileVault, and enable FileVault using your admin password.
4. Password Protect Folder
We all have documents on our computers that contain sensitive information, such as tax returns or medical records. So how can you ensure data protection on your Mac? You can create a password-protected folder.
Add any documents you want to keep private to a folder on your Mac. Then set up a password, so nobody can access those files unless they know it. See here how to set that up so that you’re files are easily accessible to you but locked away from everyone else.
5. Find My
You can take every measure to protect the contents of your computer, but sometimes, it’s hard to protect the computer itself. Macs are very valuable and are often the target of theft.
If your MacBook leaves the house often, such as bringing it to your workplace, a coffee shop, or a plane, your chances of having your computer stolen or leaving it behind somewhere are higher.
You can always keep tabs on your Apple devices using the “Find My” app.
With the app, you can track the location of your MacBook using your iPhone and vice versa. So if you can’t find your Mac, you can use the app to discover that you left it in a friend’s car, at home, or at your favorite coffee shop.
6. Remote Data Wiping
If you use the “Find My” app and discover that your computer was stolen, the last thing you want to do is try to get it back yourself. Your life may be in danger.
You can alert the authorities, but there’s a chance they won’t do anything since it’s just petty theft. While you might not get the computer back, you can prevent anyone from gaining access to your data.
With the Find My app, you can use your Apple ID to erase the data on that device remotely.
You lock down the device so that nobody will be able to activate the device without your Apple ID. So even though they may try reselling the device, it will be apparent that it was stolen and unusable.
7. Use the Firewall
You can set up a firewall to block most hacker attempts to access your computer and information remotely. Macs have this functionality built-in.
Just visit the Security and Privacy tab in your preferred menu. Click on the Firewall tab. All you need to do is turn on the firewall. This may require your system password to either turn on or off.
8. Use Antivirus Software
Mac is good at repelling viruses and malicious software on its own. You can install third-party antivirus software to increase your computer’s defenses.
Just visit the app store from your Mac, and scroll through the available options. Most good options require payment. But the level of security offered is often worth it.
9. Use a Password Manager
Using different passwords for every account you create on the internet is essential. Using the same password over and over again puts you at risk.
You can use a browser extension tool as a password manager to make this process easier. So you can create unique passwords for all your accounts, save them, and access them all using only one master password.
10. Don’t Click Bad Links
One of the most important things you can do to keep your information secure is to practice good internet hygiene. One of the most common scams is phishing.
It’s when a hacker creates an authentic link, entices users to click it, and gains access to that device through malicious software.
Learn what phishing links are, how to spot them, and avoid clicking on anything suspicious.
Protect Your Sensitive Information at All Costs
Cybersecurity is critical, not just for big businesses but also for individuals. If hackers can gain access to bits and pieces of your personal, sensitive information, they could eventually gain access to important accounts, such as bank accounts, or steal your identity.
Neither is something you ever want to deal with. Keep your Mac safe and avoid these problems altogether.
Are you looking for more safety tips like this? Head over to our blog now to keep reading.