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Easy and Effective Ways to Protect Your Mac from Cyber Threats

One of the reasons many people prefer Apple computers to regular PCs is the enhanced security they offer. For example, Macs are famously more resilient against viruses and other cyber threats than standard computers. Still, it’s important for Apple devotees to remember that despite various security advantages, Macs are by no means immune to the same digital dangers that regularly place other computers at risk. Fortunately, bolstering a Mac’s digital defenses and keeping a broad assortment of threats at bay is neither challenging nor time-consuming. Mac users looking to keep their computers out of harm’s way should consider the following measures.

Invest in Dependable Security Software

Safety-conscious Mac owners are urged to invest in dedicated security software for their computers. A solid piece of software will provide Macs with protection against viruses, malware, hackers and a host of other prevalent cyber threats. So, if you’re currently in the market for top-notch Mac security, pay a visit to TrendMicro.com and see what this celebrated company has to offer. Additionally, before investing in a piece of software, make sure the program in question is Mac-compatible or designed specifically for Apple computers.

Install Software Updates in a Timely Manner

Not only will you need to invest in reliable security software, you’ll also need to install pertinent updates as they become available. Many of these updates are designed to combat new and emerging threats, and the longer you allow them to sit on the backburner, the more susceptible your Mac will be to these threats. If you don’t trust yourself to manually install updates in a timely manner, simply enable the automatic update function on your security software.

In addition to installing dedicated security updates posthaste, you’ll need to be equally expedient when it comes to installing macOS updates. A fair number of these updates are security-focused, and failure to install them right away stands to put your Mac – and your online security – at considerable risk. Once again, if you can’t be troubled to install these updates manually, enable the operating system to do so automatically. Furthermore, make a point of keeping your apps up to date and not installing apps from questionable or outright untrustworthy sources.

Password-Protect Your Mac

Password protection comes with a number of benefits. For starters, if a hacker attempts to remotely access your computer, password protection can stop them in their tracks. Additionally, if your Mac is ever stolen or misplaced, no one who comes into possession of it will be able to access your data without a password. Sure, having to enter a password every time you turn on your computer or bring it out of sleep mode is slightly cumbersome, but this mild inconvenience is well worth the added security.

Keep System Identity Protection Enabled

Because it disables several popular tweaks, some Mac users find macOS’s System Identity Protection (SIP) inconvenient and opt to disable it. However, as this feature was designed with security in mind, disabling it ultimately makes your computer less safe. In essence, SIP prevents anything but official Apple update bundles from changing core aspects of macOS. On the flipside, disabling System Identity Protection makes it easier for viruses and malware to infiltrate your Mac and makes these threats much harder to detect.

Utilize Full Disk Encryption

To help ensure that your personal data remains secure in the event that your Mac is stolen, enable full disk encryption in Apple’s FileVault. FileVault effectively encrypts your hard drive in its entirety using an intricate encryption algorithm. With full disk encryption enabled, your hard drive will automatically be encrypted and locked every time your computer is shut down. No one relishes having a computer stolen, but FileVault can prevent a bad situation from becoming exponentially worse.

Apple products show no sign of going out of style any time soon. Although the company’s computers were once regarded as niche, the last 15 years have seen a sizable uptick in popularity for Macs and other cutting-edge Apple products. While there’s no denying that Macs have a lot to offer, these computers are hardly immune to the same cyber threats that plague traditional PCs. Mac users on the hunt for far-reaching cybersecurity and peace of mind would be wise to put the previously discussed pointers into practice.