Everyone has heard of computer viruses and malware expecting inattentive users online. Here are some useful recommendations on MacBook cybersecurity.
MacBook Safety: The Guide to Secure Your Laptop Online
The world has gone online long ago. Viruses and malware programs have been remaining with us all the time, waiting for that chance to infect all the gadgets regardless of their OS and manufacturer. Windows PCs, Android and iOS phones or tablets, iMacs, and MacBooks are all in danger.
Still, cybersecurity is also being developed. In 2020, it is not something complicated and specialized. Software designers aim to make maximum safety available and understandable for every user by default.
The users of Apple devices and software solutions can be calm as well. Most frequently, all that is needed to keep your favorite MacBook and its data away from danger is the user’s attention.
1. Make Sure Your Operating System is Up-to-Date
Here is the point: hackers creating malware always target OLD operating system versions. The reason is that they study the codes and find security weaknesses to use while infiltrating into your MacBook’s system.
When you keep your OS X updated, you guarantee the most breakage points to be blocked by developers. The same thing works for all the applications you install on your laptop.
2. Use Programs You Know Exclusively
The software that users download and install on their MacBooks is probably the most frequently exploited gateway by hackers. Malware units are mainly like vampires. A vampire is known to require an invitation to enter someone’s living, and a malware agent needs your permission to be installed.
So, every installation of third-party apps, pirated or cracked programs, “keygens”, and other likely things are a threat to your laptop’s cybersecurity. It is strictly recommended to install exclusively licensed pieces of software if you want to avoid being hacked.
3. Avoid Random Links
Private data hunters and malware spreaders use every possibility to hook the inattentive user. A random link published on Facebook, Reddit, Twitter, or any other website can lead you to a phishing site or an “infected” Internet page. Of course, web admins do everything they can aiming to block suspicious URL addresses and to warn their users about threats.
Still, warnings don’t always work, and no specialist is almighty. The key here is your attention. Again.
4. Filter Ads
There exist special browser extensions like AdBlock that block all the advertisement banners and pop-up windows from appearing on the screen of your MacBook. That’s how you prevent clicking on a random ad, and also don’t allow cybercriminals to track your online activities.
There exist both free and paid ad blocking solutions. Many antivirus packages include such software that is simple to install and use.
5. Use XProtect, the Built-In Mac Antivirus
It is really useful.
The market offers multiple antivirus software choices. However, not all of them can provide reliable protection from malware. The trouble is especially relevant nowadays when hackers target Mac OS weaknesses specifically with the latest virus modifications. The default antivirus solution provided by apple is actually enough to protect your MacBook from such threats as malware, spyware, phishing attacks, keyboard spies, and data leakage attempts.
There also exist specialized third-party antivirus apps designed to secure Mac computers specifically (for instance, Airo AV). Still, you need them only in case you feel the requirement for advanced security layers. Mostly, users will be enough with the functions and capabilities of XProtect.
6. Use Confidential Browsers
Despite being quite comfortable and loved by MacBook users, the default Safari app by Apple is not the safest thing to use. Most probably, you heard about such programs as Tor and Opera. Those are safe and confidential web browsing solutions.
The use of alternative safety browsers is among the top measures to provide your MacBook with the best cybersecurity. Such programs don’t let intruders track the user’s web activity and surfing history, hide their IP-addresses (which means hiding physical location), and even block suspicious scripts hidden on fraud websites.
7. Have Backups
It’s an axiom of data security, though most users don’t keep up with this rule. None of the data protection measures is perfect. There always exists a chance for malware agents to intrude on your MacBook’s system and cause software malfunctions, data losses, and even hardware breakages.
By backing up your Mac regularly, you can be sure to have a copy of all your files all the time, even if a MacBook will be broken, stolen, or lost. Apple has the built-in Time Machine function to simplify the process of creating regular backups. Of course, this means you need to sacrifice a lot of your hard drive space to it, but the confidence about your data being safe is worth anything in our times.