Besides choosing good passwords, you can do a number of things to make your Mac even more secure. You can choose safer security settings, use Software Update, secure your e-mail, watch out for phishing, and lock up your computer when you’re away from it. These simple steps go a long way to making your Mac more secure.
To have your Mac install system files and security updates automatically, select “Install system data files and security updates.” Click OK. To receive the latest updates automatically, it’s recommended that you select “Check for updates,” “Download new updates when available,” and “Install system data files and security updates.”. Protect your Mac from malware, viruses and other malicious software with the FixMeStick. It works by turning off your computer for protection while it scans your hard drive to detect viruses, and it won't alter your pictures and documents. The FixMeStick removes any detected viruses and malware from your computer and restarts it for safe use. Jun 11, 2020 Mac Internet Security X9 provides top-notch antivirus protection against the latest threats, and is rated up there with the best (like Bitdefender and Kaspersky) when it.
Set safer settings. Select System Preferences from the Apple menu. Click the Security icon and then click the System tab. In the Security window that appears, you can select several check boxes to enhance your Mac’s security. Here’s a rundown of the check boxes and what they mean for your security:
Require Password to Wake This Computer from Sleep or Screen Saver: Select this check box to protect your unattended Mac.
Disable Automatic Login: Select this check box if you care about security. If you don’t select it, the computer will automatically log on to the primary account every time you restart it.
Require Password to Unlock Each System Preferences Pane: If many people share your computer and you want to retain strict control, select this check box.
Use Secure Virtual Memory: If you plan to use FileVault, select this check box. Your Mac sometimes writes temporary information to disk to free more of its main memory. Because this temporary information can contain sensitive information, you want it encrypted, too.
Disable Remote Control Infrared Receiver: Someone with a remote could get your computer to display images you’d rather not share. If this prospect frightens you, select this check box.
Keep up to date with Software Update. Apple works hard to correct problems and periodically distributes corrections via the Internet. Out of the box, your Mac checks for available updates weekly. To check now, select Software Update from the Apple menu. You can change how often automatic checking occurs by selecting System Preferences from the Apple menu and clicking the Software Update icon. This is also the place to check which updates have already been installed.
Secure your e-mail. If you use programs like Pretty Good Privacy (PGP, from www.pgp.com), Gnu Privacy Guard (GnuPG from macgpg.sourceforge.net), or Hushmail.com to encrypt and electronically sign e-mail, you’ll be glad to know that Mac versions of these programs are available.
Watch out for phishing. You’ve probably encountered phishing, e-mail messages that look like legitimate requests from upstanding organizations. The message includes a link that takes you to what seems like the Web site of that organization, where you’re asked to enter your account number, password, and any other personal info they think you can be conned into surrendering. If you have any doubt that the message is phony, do not click the link in the e-mail. Go to the organization’s Web site by typing their URL in you browser’s address field and navigate to your account.
Lock it up. Computer security is almost meaningless without physical security. If a sophisticated attacker gets to spend quality time alone with your Mac, all the fancy technology may be of no avail. Laptops are easier to steal than desktop machines, but they are also easier to lock in a desk or safe. All Mac laptops have a hole in the side designed to accept a mechanical locking device, such as those made by Kensington.com.
Record your computer’s serial number. Select About This Mac from the Apple menu. The serial number is listed in the hardware Overview section. It is also a good idea to mark your computer with your name and address. You can place an address label inside your laptop’s battery compartment. A colored sticker on the outside of your laptop makes it harder for a thief at the airport to hide in a crowd.
Sorry Windows users but Macs are simply more secure than your PCs. Let’s just say that it’s one of the advantages of Macs over Windows. Of course, Windows devices have their own advantages over Macs, but we’re not here to talk about these right now.
Schedule security scans so that they run unobtrusively in the background and update your virus definition database automatically. Your free Antivirus software updates in real-time so you are always protected. Check your Activity Stream and see at a glance all the security-related activities on your Mac, including blocked threats. Unknown files. The best way to keep your Mac secure is to run the latest software. When new updates are available, macOS sends you a notification — or you can opt in to have updates installed automatically when your Mac is not in use. MacOS checks for new updates every. How Mac Security Software Works. Using a Mac security app is a breeze because they often focus on creating a user interface that is simple for anyone to use, but also because the core features like on-demand scans, the scan scheduler, and the real-time monitoring tools often require very little input. If you have prior experience with a Windows-based antivirus solution, then you’ll get the.
Mac users don’t rejoice just yet. True enough your Mac is more secure than its Windows counterpart, but we it’s not totally secure. After all, why are there different Mac security software on the market?
Does Mac Need Security Software?
Let’s take a look back at Mac’s history. Ever since the assembly of the first Mac, it has been susceptible to viruses and malware. Elk Cloner, one of the first ever viruses, infected Apple DOS 3.3 operating system in 1982. It was embedded in a game saved in a floppy disk. While it didn’t cause deliberate harm and was developed more as a practical joke, it was considered successful because of the fact that it spread and there was no antivirus available for it back then. Fast forward to 2017, it was reported that the number of Mac malware increased by 270 percent. To cut things short, Macs are not completely invulnerable to cyber attacks and without security software, your Mac is susceptible to dangers.
Security Software Doesn’t Necessarily Equate to Antivirus, Alone
Here’s the thing, when we say Mac security, it does not always concern malware and virus. Other security threats include physical ones, including theft. The good news is that there are also programs for this kind of danger.
The Best Security Software for Mac
Mac Os Security
Below, we list down the top third-party security software that you can get for your Mac. Note that these are listed in no particular order, as they offer different forms of protection and are not necessarily under one category.
1. Tweakbit MacRepair
For your Mac to continue being a secure device, it needs to be in tip-top shape at all times. This is the goal of Tweakbit MacRepair. As a Mac cleaner, it scans your Mac for all types of junk, optimizes the RAM to clear room for active apps, recommends tweaks to save energy, and eventually, helps eliminate unneeded and unused apps.
2. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
Considered as one of the best antiviruses for Mac today, Bitdefender comes with a suite of outstanding features including a multi-layer ransomware protection. It also performs adware removal. As an added feature, it also scans for Windows PC malware, which you may find helpful if you also run Windows on your Mac.
3. ESET Cyber Security for Mac
It’s not very quick when it scans, but that’s because it digs deep into your Mac’s ecosystem to make sure that it is entirely free from viruses and malware. ESET Cyber Security also comes with parental controls and a competitive price tag.
4. MacKeeper’s Anti-Theft
Should your Mac be stolen, you won’t have to worry a lot if you have this installed. Once you report your Mac is stolen and the program is activated remotely, it will pinpoint your missing Mac’s location using Wi-Fi network. You will also get a detailed report via email. Anti-Theft is also integrated with iSight, so it can take snapshots of the suspect without them noticing.
5. Undercover
This is also an anti-theft software but with additional features. Aside from determining the location of the missing device and taking snapshots of the burglar, it also has scary tactics to deter the criminal, such as making your Mac shout.
6. WatchMac
This program protects your Mac against unauthorized use and logins. It is designed to be on the lookout for unusual activities like when someone tries to break your password. Once it detects any unfamiliar activity, it will wake up and record what’s going on. It will also take a photo of the scoundrel using iSight.
Check Security Software On Mac Windows 10
So, what are you waiting for? Get them today!