If you start using a Mac because you think it’s free from viruses and other vulnerabilities, then you’re wrong. Like Windows, macOS is also vulnerable.
Recently, a zero-day vulnerability was found in Mac that allowed XCSSET malware to security take screenshots of the target’s desktop. The vulnerability was soon fixed, and the users were suggested to implement updates. However, it was not the first time such vulnerability was discovered.
Malware, along with trojans, worms, ransomware, are a significant security threat to your Mac device and data. Cyber-crooks can use all these security vulnerabilities to gain control over your Mac device and access your data. They can use your device for stealing your data and for other malicious purposes.
This article looks closer at various privacy settings you can activate and other tips that can help you in enhancing your Mac privacy. So, let’s jump right in.
Encrypt Your Sensitive Data With File Vault
Your photos, passwords, confidential work data all get stored in your hard drive. If any malicious actors gain access to your system, they can get hold of your data even if they don’t know your Mac login password. Since the Mac comes with a fantastic encrypting tool, you can enable it and protect your data from unauthorized access.
FileVault is a unique data encryption tool that encrypts your Mac data. It does not just encrypt your data, but also the entire hard drive. The data encryption is so powerful that even the FBI can have problems decrypting it.
This tool provides you full-disk encryption, unlike the first introduced encryption feature, slowing down system performance. Besides encrypting the sensitive files and data, it protects them from being copied or seen. When you enable this tool, it turns on other security features like Find My Mac.
When you use the FileVault feature, you need to set a password to unlock the hard drive. Make sure that you generate a strong password and the one that you can remember. You can lose access to your files while using FileVault if you forget your password or the recovery key. So, be careful.
To encrypt your data with FileVault, you need to:
- Tap on the Apple menu icon > Go to System Preferences
- Go to Security & Privacy > Click on FileVault tab > Tab on the padlock that appears on the bottom left corner
- Now enter your administrator name and password
- Click on Unlock > Turn on FileVault > Unlock the padlock
The process might take several minutes or even hours. It depends on the size and type of data. So, don’t get worried.
Create Separate User Logins
Have you ever come across a situation where friends, neighbors, or guests who came to see you asked to use your system? Despite not wanting to let anyone use your computer, you allow them as a goodwill gesture. However, there’s a better solution.
If you’re not alone using your system, you can create separate user logins to secure your administrative access. The Mac allows you to set up different user accounts, which require each user to log in. By doing so, only you will have the administrator login access and notother people. You can create groups to let people use your system on specific occasions.
These users can have access to their files and settings and nothing else. You can even consider creating a standard and non-administrative account for everyday use. This protects from malware invasion and warns you of any suspicious activity taking place within your device.
To create multiple user login accounts:
- Go to the Apple menu logo > System Preferences > Users & Groups
- Click on the padlock to unlock
- Enter your administrator credentials > Tap on the Add button
- Now, click on the new account pop-up menu > select user type or group > set up the user account or group.
Review Your Privacy Settings
Sometimes it happens that you end up installing apps that you used once or twice, then they remain on your Mac, occupying memory space and draining the battery. Some malicious apps can harm your files and slow down your device performance.
When apps change their privacy policies, most users are unaware of them. They can introduce policies that risk your privacy. Thus, to ensure privacy, we recommend you perform an audit of the apps you use from time to time.
To review your Mac privacy settings:
- Tap on the Apple menu icon > System Preferences
- Go to Security & Privacy > Privacy.
- There’s a list of all permissions you’ve given to the apps. Please review each of them and cancel the app permission that you think isn’t necessary.
Use a Password Manager
Reports reveal that 81% of data breach incidents occur because of compromised credentials. Either you’re at home or work, your computer does have sensitive data in it. Thus, you need to set a strong password for your system.
Mac users need to be extra cautious while generating passwords for their user accounts if anyone gets access to your passwords to control their performance, including their sensitive data.
Instead of using a simple password like your date of birth or your favorite place, create a complex password by using a combination of upper and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.
Don’t reuse your old passwords, as it would be easy for the hackers to break them. If you find it challenging to create a strong password, you can use a reliable password manager. A password manager is an excellent tool to create, manage, and store your passwords out of the reach of threat actors.
You can even use the built-in password manager offered by Apple. iCloud Keychain is the name given to Apple’s built-in password manager. Like other password managers available in the market, Apple’s password manager saves the password in different apps like Safari. It also keeps your Wi-Fi passwords updated across Mac and other devices.
To use Apple’s password manager:
- Tap on the Apple menu icon > System Preferences > Apple ID.
- Tap on the iCloud option in the sidebar > Keychain
- Enter your Apple login credentials
- Tap on the Ok button and lastly, set the four-digit security code. You can now use the built-in password manager offered by Apple.
Turn On Multi-Layer Firewall Security
Another way of boosting your Mac privacy is to turn on your Mac’s firewalls, providing an additional layer of protection to your device. The multi-layer firewall security blocks the unwanted incoming network connections, controls the app’s access to your network and protects it against malware.
The firewalls are not enabled by default. To turn on the firewalls, follow these steps:
- Tap on the Apple menu icon > System Preferences > Security and Privacy
- Click on the Firewall tab > unlock the system settings by tapping on the padlock
- Enter your username and password > Hit to turn on the Firewall
- Click on Firewall options > tap on Enable Stealth Mode > unlock the padlock to prevent further changes.
Disable Your Bluetooth
Another privacy tip that mac users should not forget is to turn off their Bluetooth when they are not using it. By doing so, you reduce your device’s discoverability and also add a layer of protection. Moreover, it also prevents any potential vulnerabilities from entering your system.
To turn off your Bluetooth:
- Click on the Apple menu icon.
- Go to System Preferences > Network > Bluetooth > Tap to turn off the Bluetooth.
Limit Ad Tracking
An impressive feature that every Mac user should use is to limit ad tracking on their device. Too many personalized ads can sometimes become a reason for annoyance while you use your Mac computer.
Also, not all ads are user-friendly. Many of them are irrelevant or serve as a third-party tool to collect user data, while others are used for malicious purposes. Hackers embed malware within the ads, and clicking on those ads results in “malvertising.”
To prevent ad tracking:
- Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy.
- Choose the Privacy Tab
- Tap on the Apple Advertising option appearing in the sidebar
- Click to deselect personalized ads. Now, there’s no need to worry about any third parties exploiting your data.
Conclusion
In summary, securing your Mac is imperative. The rising threats and security vulnerabilities can result in the loss of your sensitive data. Thus, you need to make every effort to boost your mac privacy. The tips mentioned above are the best for enhancing mac privacy. Feel free to follow them and increase your device security and privacy.
About the author
Waqas is a cybersecurity journalist and writer who has a knack for writing technology and online privacy-centric articles. He strives to help achieve a secure online environment and is skilled in writing topics related to cybersecurity, AI, DevOps, loud security, and a lot more. Waqas runs the DontSpoof.com(https://dontspoof.com/) [2] project, which presents expert opinions on online privacy & Security.
