Everyone desires one, especially thieves and hackers, because it is powerful and visually appealing. Your MacBook contains your entire world, including important documents, music, images, and videos, but is it safe and protected from harm? Examine five MacBook security measures that you may implement to make your MacBook an impregnable and unstealable mobile data fortress.
Use Find My Mac App
You are familiar with the iPhone and the Find My iPhone software, which allows users to locate their lost or stolen iPhone via the iCloud website by utilising the iPhone’s location awareness capabilities.
This is wonderful for iPhones, but what about your MacBook? Exists an application for that? There indeed is. Apple reduced the term to Find My and expanded the service to iPods, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Macs.
This article describes how to enable the Find My service on a Mac running macOS Monterey (12.0), macOS Big Sur (11.0) or macOS Catalina (11.0). (10.15).
- Open the Mac’s System Preferences and select Apple ID.
2. Choose iCloud in the left panel and place a check in front of Find My Mac in the main screen. Click the Options button next to Find My Mac.
3. Turn on the Find My Mac feature. Optionally, turn on the Find My network feature as well. Select Done to save your settings.
After activating Find My Mac, if your Mac is lost or stolen, you may track it using your Apple ID and password on iCloud, just like you can with Find My iPhone.
If your Mac has an earlier operating system version that does not enable Find My, you must use a third-party programme for security.
Enable Your MacBook Security Features
The macOS and OS X operating systems provide user-accessible security mechanisms. Despite being installed, the functions are typically not enabled by default. Users must independently enable the mac security features. Here are the fundamental Macbook security settings you should configure on your MacBook.
Disable Automatic Login and Set a System Password
While it is convenient to not have to input your password every time your computer boots up or your screensaver activates, you may as well leave your front door wide open because the person who just stole your MacBook has access to an unlimited data buffet.
With the check of a box and the setting of a password, you may enable this feature and place another obstacle in the path of a hacker or thief. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and set a system password if you haven’t already. This will improve your Macbook security and take your macbook one step further from vulnerability.
Turn on Your Mac’s Built-in Firewall
The Mac’s built-in firewall will thwart the majority of internet-based hacker intrusion attempts. It is simple to install. Once enabled, the firewall prevents dangerous network connections from entering the network and controls outgoing traffic. Before attempting an outbound connection, applications must obtain your permission (through a pop-up prompt). Access can be granted temporarily or permanently, at your discretion.
System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall tab is the location of the Firewall tab. Lifewire provides comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for enabling OS X’s security features.
Install Patches
The cat-and-mouse game of exploit/patch is alive and thriving. Hackers identify application vulnerabilities and design exploits. The developer of the application addresses the issue and distributes a patch to remedy it. Users install the patch, continuing the cycle.
On a regular basis, macOS and OS X check for Apple-branded software updates and prompt you to download and install them. Numerous third-party software programmes, including Microsoft Office, include their own software update application that periodically looks for available patches. Other apps typically provide a “Check for Updates” option in the Help menu.
It is advisable to execute or schedule a weekly update check for your most frequently used applications so that you are not susceptible to software-based attacks.
Lock It Down
If someone is determined to steal your computer, they will succeed regardless of how many levels of protection you employ. You should make it as challenging as possible for a criminal to steal your MacBook. You want to deter them to the point where they move on to easier prey.
The decades-old Kensington Lock is a security device for physically securing a laptop with a steel cable loop to a large piece of furniture or another immovable object. MacBooks lack a K-Slot that accepts a Kensington-style lock, unlike other laptops. You require an adapter, of which several are available on Amazon. However, not all adapters are compatible with all Mac models, so be sure to read the fine print before to placing an order.
Are these locks pickable? Yes. Can the cable be severed with the proper equipment? Yes. It is crucial that the lock prevents opportunistic theft. A would-be burglar who uses a lock picking kit and Jaws of Life wire cutters to steal your MacBook at the library will certainly arouse more suspicion than if they stole the laptop sitting next to yours that was untethered.
The standard Kensington Lock is available in numerous variations at the majority of office supply retailers.
Protect Your Mac With a Hard-Shell Configuration
Download the Mac OS X security configuration instructions from the Apple Support website if you are serious about security and want to go deeply into your settings to ensure that your Mac’s security is as impregnable as possible. These publications describe the options that can be used to make the operating system as secure as feasible.
Maintain a balance between security and usability. You should not lock your MacBook so tightly that you cannot access it.
If you have a different version of macOS, you may want to refer to apple’s security guide for more information.