The security features that come with Mac can be compromised. Therefore, it is most important to take steps to boost its security further. Failure to do so gives an opportunity for hackers to access your data.

So, the pressing need is to boost the security of your Mac. Good news is MacOS makes securing data easy, since it offers a host of tools in System Preferences and Safari, and third-party apps.

Threats to Mac

Your Mac may get threats from three sources – internet, email and from someone directly accessing it. Although the best VPN for Mac is ExpressVPN, implementing certain best practices can also boost Mac’s security. One of the simplest steps is to keep the MacOS software updated. This will minimize the risks, but may not provide 100% security.

This is because Apple (News - Alert) has had its share of security flaws in the Mac operating software. The High Sierra Root bug comes to mind that enabled a hacker to pose as root in System Preferences on a Mac and access all the settings. Thankfully, this flaw was fixed in a MacOS update.  

Four basic steps to boost Mac security

The four crucial tips given below will provide you with protection against infections and unauthorized Mac access.

#1 Always log into your Mac

Of course, you may be one of those who doesn’t like to take the trouble of logging into the system, every time it starts. And Apple also encourages this by enabling macOS users to boot Mac straight into the OS without first entering the username and password to access the system.

The risk is, if your Mac gets misplaced or stolen, the finder or stealer will have direct access to it without having to enter a password. This comprises a lot of things on your computer, such as email, images, documents, files, and even cloud platforms, if it is configured.

So, the way out is to disable Automatic login option. Also, disable Guest account, since it is accessed from the same System Preferences menu. In addition, clear the checkbox for Allow Guests to Log into this Computer.

#2 Don’t choose easy passwords

It is always tempting to create a simple password that doesn’t need memorizing, such as 123456, your date or year of birth, and the like. These are too obvious and makes it easy for any unauthorized person to figure out. So, choose a complex password for your user account. Also, don’t have the same password for Mac’s system administrator account or for any other login.

A complicated password is the one with 10 - 12 characters or more which includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Making short sentences is a super way to remember the password. For example, Ilove2eatPasta@home.

If you want the services of a password manager, check out the best Mac password managers. These apps enable creating and storing robust passwords and sync them across all your devices. The data remains encrypted till you type in the master password to access your Mac.

#3 Always keep the firewall enabled

In macOS the firewall, though inbuilt, is usually disabled by default. Enabling it will prevent unauthorized access to Mac’s programs, applications, and services.

Although Firewall is useful, it offers only limited protection against malware, as it is designed only to shield inbound traffic. It has no control over outbound connections.

#4 Look for Apple security patches for MacOS

Apple regularly releases security patches for the MacOS. It is inevitable to keep a lookout for these patches and install them instantly. These patches ensure your Mac is armed with fixes for vulnerabilities.  

Failure to download such patches may make you end up like the Windows operating system, which was hit by ransomware attack some time back. Had people using Windows possessed the latest available patches, the spread of this infection would have been checked.

Conclusion

Boosting the security of your Mac is an ongoing process since infections and viruses keep evolving in newer and more dangerous forms. However, such security practices will at least increase security, if not guarantee total protection.