Security for Mac OS

Since Snow Leopard in 2009, the Mac OS has contained virus detection and sanitization as part of its operating system. While some protection happens by default, there are simple and important steps you should perform to complete your security setup.

• Updates. Keeping systems updated is the hallmark of Apple security and the basis for any secure system. See System Preferences > App Store.Click the lock to be able to change your settings. Ensure your App Store Preferences are set to “Automatically check for updates” and “Install system data files and security updates”. These are ON by default.

• Internal firewall. While you should always install firewalls at your home router, your business network and anywhere else you connect, the last measure of protection you have is at your computer.

• See System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall tab. Click the lock to be able to change your settings.

• Click "Turn On Firewall".

• Click "Firewall Options…", then enable “Stealth mode”.

• Enter “Advanced…” and turn on all the options.

• Hard drive encyption. This protects your data if your computer is stolen or if someone somehow accesses your system without your login. You should run a Time Machine backup first to be safe. See System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault tab. Click "Turn On FileVault" for disk encryption. This will require a restart. Then when that's done, encrypt your backup and other external drives as well.

• Locking. Set the locking mode for when you are away from your computer so unwelcome passers-by cannot run your computer behind your back. See System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General tab.

• Location services. Setup location services, “Find My Mac”, to be able to track your computer if it is ever misplaced. It’s easiest to use the “Find My iPhone” app for this. See System Preferences > iCloud. Enable "Find My Mac". Disable "Back to My Mac".

• Password management. The advantage is that the program remembers your passwords for you. This will enable you to have a different password for every user account, using passwords much harder to guess, and you can change them frequently. Apple’s Keychain Access utility is enabled by default, but you can install a different utility, like 1Password, if you find it helpful. See System Preferences > iCloud and enable "Keychain". Gives your mobile devices access to the same credentials for you.

• Encrypt sensitive info. Miscellaneous credentials, keys and private information may be stored securely using Apple’s Notes app for Mac or iOS and shared between devices. Open the Notes app, select or create a note to encrypt, then click the lock icon at the top of the window.

While historically Apple products have always had less malware than other platforms, Apple’s Mac OS contains protections already in place to help ensure continued safe operation. Add to that the fact that Apple devices stay updated better than any other platform, and it’s easy to see there is no real basis for any prejudice against Mac computer security.