If you’re a Mac user, you’re probably confident that your computer is well protected without third-party programs that macOS will protect you much better than Windows. Yes, Apple has done a great job of protecting its systems, but it is not immune to threats.
The more popular Macs have become, the more often attackers have targeted them. And the calculation is that people don’t care about the security of their devices. And that’s a big mistake.
In this article, we’ll look at common Mac security bugs and how to fix them. It doesn’t matter if you’re a power user, a student, or just a worker. If you want to keep your device safe, this article will help you.
Believing Macs Can’t Get Viruses
Many people mistakenly believe that macOS is completely virus-proof. This is why they often don’t update their system or download an antivirus. But this is a huge misconception that can lead to problems.
Yes, macOS has robust built-in defenses such as Gatekeeper and XProtect. But that doesn’t make it a completely secure system. More and more viruses are appearing that target macOS specifically, and you can’t eliminate them without additional programs.
It’s best to get the details about an antivirus that will help you both remove the virus and unblock your browser in such a case. There are many such solutions, we advise you to Google and choose something for yourself.
Not Keeping macOS and Apps Updated
Another common mistake is ignoring updates. And it’s a fully conscious one at that. Such people justify it by saying that they are not yet ready to move to a new interface or something else. Or they simply do not have time to go all the way through the update.
And this is a big mistake, because the old system is a gold mine for hackers. Many attacks exploit known vulnerabilities in older versions of macOS or third-party applications.
It’s best to enable automatic macOS and App Store updates. They can update while you’re sleeping and not using your computer, saving you time. Always install security patches as soon as they are released.
Using Weak or Reused Passwords
In almost every article about security in the online environment, you’ll hear about weak passwords. And this is absolutely true, because weak passwords are the cause of most hacks.
Don’t rely on simple passwords or use the same password for multiple accounts. It will lead you to failure. If one service gets hacked, hackers will be able to access your other accounts as well. That includes access to your Mac.
Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Better yet, use a password manager like 1Password, LastPass, or Apple’s built-in Keychain.
Disabling macOS Firewall
What you definitely shouldn’t do is turn off the macOS firewall. This is the tool that monitors incoming traffic and can block malicious half-connections before they even get into your system.
Disabling this tool will cause your system to simply get hacked very quickly.
Go to System Preferences, Network, Firewall and make sure it is enabled. You can also use a custom firewall such as Little Snitch or Lulu to monitor outgoing traffic. But it is better to just enable the native one.
Downloading Software from Unverified Sources
In general, downloading something from unofficial resources is piracy and should not be pirated. But if you have already decided on such a step, it is better not to download something from random sites.
Downloaded programs may be equipped with adware, trojan or keyloggers. Once installed, they can easily bypass the built-in protections and steal your data. Or start throwing a bunch of ads at your screen. That’s not very pleasant.
It’s best to download programs only from the Mac App Store, the developer’s official website, or other reliable sources. Avoid torrent apps or using questionable download managers.
Ignoring App Permissions and Privacy Settings
Don’t often give apps unnecessary access. For example, if a third-party program asks you for access to a location or files without needing it, it is better to refuse and consider uninstalling the program.
Over-allowed apps can lead to privacy violations or even active snooping. Especially if these programs were downloaded from unofficial sources.
Go to “System Preferences” and “Privacy & Security” and regularly check which applications have access to key services. Revoke permissions for apps that don’t need them.
Failing to Back Up Data Securely
Never rely on local storage. And if you don’t make backups, it’s a big mistake.
If your Mac gets lost, stolen, encrypted by ransomware, or just plain broken, your data could be lost forever.
Use Time Machine for automatic local backups, and cloud-based solutions like Backblaze, iCloud Drive, or Carbonite to protect it from the outside world.
