Cybersecurity has come a long way. The Mac you are using today is much more secure and less prone to malware than most of the computers from the past. Nevertheless, it can still get hacked by various cybercriminals who are after personal data and valuable information.
Since the day the internet was created, researchers have tried to keep up with hackers who were a constant threat to large companies like Yahoo and Microsoft. Nowadays, thanks to their efforts, even a small business has various cybersecurity measures at their disposal, including penetration testing services, firewalls, and security software.
You, as a Mac user, also have some ways to hack-proof your Mac. They range from using secure passwords and disabling automatic login to always keeping your software up-to-date and avoiding public wi-fi. Here are five tips that will help you protect your Mac.
Step Up Your Password Game
Passwords are your first line of defence against online threats. Sadly, people use the same passwords for various accounts they have, and this practice makes them more vulnerable to hackers.
If you have ever used the same password for multiple accounts, you have created a potential weak point in your security. Keep in mind that if hackers get your password for one account, they can try it on others. The best way to avoid this issue is by using strong passwords.
Strong passwords are at least twelve characters long and contain letters, numbers, and symbols. It is highly recommended that you use unique passwords for each account and keep them in a secure place.
A password manager is the best place to store all your passwords in one place. It will encrypt your data and protect it with a single master password. The software will generate strong passwords for you, which you will never have to memorise. If you are interested in a free password manager, you can try 1password, Dashlane, or LastPass.
Stay Away From Public WI-FI
Cybercriminals can use public wi-fi in cafes and restaurants to gain access to your Mac. Hackers can easily capture your data by using a man-in-the-middle attack made possible by unsecured networks.
It is recommended that you avoid public wi-fi whenever possible and connect to the internet via a secure network. If you need to use public wi-fi, make sure it is encrypted with a VPN service. The encryption will prevent third parties from accessing your data.
Always Keep Your Software Up-To-Date
It has been known for years that keeping the software on your computer up-to-date is an important security measure. Still, many users ignore this advice. They do this because some software updates can be annoying or even cause other problems with the computer or its apps. In reality, however, regularly updating your Mac is the best way to avoid malware and exploits.
So what do software updates do? First of all, they install a number of bug fixes and patches that neutralize any potential exploits. Second, they bring new features and security patches that make hacking attempts less likely to succeed.
Apple, as well as other companies behind popular operating systems, release updates with security patches on a regular basis. You should always apply these updates as soon as you receive them because they contain critical security fixes.
Also, always keep your computer up-to-date with the latest version of the operating system. It will increase the overall security of your Mac and help prevent it from getting infected with malware. As a bonus, the latest version of macOS also comes with new features that can enhance the user experience.
Create a System Snapshot
Creating a system snapshot provides an additional layer of security for your Mac. It allows you to revert back to the operating system’s default configuration if something goes wrong with it. This way, if your Mac starts performing poorly or stops responding, you can restore it to its original state without having to worry about losing any data.
To create a system snapshot, you can use Time Machine. This built-in app allows you to backup your computer and restore it in case something goes wrong while updating it or installing new software.
Disable Automatic Login
If your computer is connected to the internet, it is vulnerable to attacks from the outside world. A common way attackers gain entry into computers is by using keyloggers and other malicious software that tracks users’ keystrokes. Once they have your login credentials stored somewhere else, all they need to do is wait until you are not using your Mac and then hack into it without any resistance.
To prevent this from happening, turn off automatic login during startup. To do so, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Options > Automatic Login and select Off from the drop-down menu. After turning off automatic login, you will have to enter your username and password every time you log in.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several things you can do to hack-proof your Mac. All you need is just a little bit of common sense and attention to detail.
Remember to use strong passwords or password managers. This way, you will significantly lower the chances of getting hacked. Additionally, it would be best if you stayed away from public wi-fi, as it can expose your device to various types of cyberattacks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks. You might also consider creating a system snapshot and disabling automatic login during startup.
If you follow our tips and do your best to protect your Mac from cyber threats, you will have a much better time surfing the web and working on your device. Instead of believing that your Mac is hack-resistant from the start, make it this way and reap the be
