It’s common knowledge that MacBooks and iMacs are more secure than their Windows counterparts, but the truth is that no computer is completely safe from harm. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated cybersecurity attacks and made it even more lucrative for bad actors to target small business owners and consumers, so it’s worth spending some time ensuring your Mac is safe…
Update to the latest macOS release
Perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice we can give you is that it’s so important to update your Mac and ensure you’re running the latest version of macOS. As it does with iOS, Apple regularly issues security updates and fixes, and although they can be turned on to update automatically when you sleep, it’s worth checking every now and again to ensure you’re running the latest release. You should also check that your apps are updated regularly, too, to avoid using out of date software that could be compromised. Some apps have a ‘Check for Updates’ button under ‘File’.
Use a VPN
Another way that you can reduce the chances of running into harm when you’re working on your Mac is to use a VPN. There are a number of VPNs on the market, but Privacy Sharks has rounded up the best VPNs for Mac – take a look and choose a product from their list to ensure you’re browsing safely. If you’re unfamiliar with how VPNs work, here’s a quick introduction. VPNs establish a secure connection between you and the internet, and traffic is routed through an encrypted virtual tunnel rather than through your current connection. This process means that your IP address doesn’t enter into the wrong hands so that your location is invisible to everyone. An added benefit is that you can access content from other countries, and it ensures that your connection is secure against attacks.
Only download apps from the Mac App Store
You can reduce your chances of downloading dodgy or dangerous content by only downloading content from the Mac App Store. Although the Mac App Store isn’t quite as good as its iOS counterpart, the truth is that all of the big players now publish their software to the platform. The benefit of downloading from the Mac App Store is that every app has to be vetted by Apple before it’s approved, so it’s considerably less likely that you’ll download or install something that could harm your computer.
Avoid downloading nulled content
As tempting as it might be to download expensive software for free, you should avoid downloading nulled content from third-party websites. There’s no guarantee that the software won’t be spyware or compromised in some way, and if you did manage to download something that damaged your PC, the chances are that you’d null your warranty and might need to reset your device – or even permanently damage your hard drive and mean that you need to spend hundreds on repairs.
Clean your Mac regularly
Finally, make sure you clean your Mac regularly. We don’t mean a quick dusting – by this, we mean using software like Clean My Mac, or manually checking through your files, folders, and installed applications to ensure that nothing is compromised behind the scenes. Cleaning or checking your Mac once per month is a good idea – getting your IT department involved is a sensible idea.
Do you have any other cybersecurity tips? Let us know and check back soon for the latest.
