Even if your Macbook is for personal and not work-related matters, it is still essential to keep the data protected.
Passwords, finances, contacts, and other sensitive data can become a target for people who are looking to take advantage of your negligence. And it is impossible to predict when you could end up attacked.
There are multiple different methods to keep the data in check and prevent anyone from accessing it. If you are looking to fortify your information security, the methods below ought to do the job.
Method #1 – Encrypt Data
Data encryption might seem like too much of a hassle, but if you really want to take the next step and have peace of mind, this method will be of great use.
Sure, there is no need to encrypt every single piece of data, but when it comes to more important matters, encrypting important information that you need to send to another party is a good way to prevent any potential disaster.
Method #2 – Delete Browsing History
We spend a lot of time on the internet. And the browsing history collects information about what websites we visit, how much time we spend there, and when we use the internet.
On top of that, a lot of people use sites that require profile creation. Social media, online stores, even banks, are accessible via the internet. And some browsers save login information.
Of course, not everyone is using the browser in the default mode. Some prefer incognito mode and do not mind entering their usernames and passwords manually all the time.
Deleting browser history is another step to improving data security. MacPaw has a great instruction article on how to remove browsing history from the most popular browsers manually as well as using cleanup software.
Method #3 – Use Clouds (but remember to delete stuff)
Backing up data allows you to have a duplicate in case your device is stolen, or you accidentally delete the files. There are a lot of businesses as well as people who have lost precious data due to their carelessness.
Cloud-based services like Dropbox and iCloud are a good option to backup your data. You get plenty of space for free, though there is an option to spend money and get extra gigabytes.
Keep in mind that clouds are also potentially prone to hacker attacks, meaning that it is worth deleting files after you no longer need them as a backup.
Method #4 – Install Anti-Virus Software
Despite some articles online on how Macbooks do not need anti-virus, every computer should have proper tools to deal with threats like malware and viruses.
Even those who actively avoid shady websites are prone to get infected with malware. And if that happens, manually dealing with the problem can be impossible.
Instead of taking any risks, get yourself anti-virus software and have it run in the background all the time. The next time you encounter a potential threat, the software will detect and delete it immediately.
Method #5 – Install OS Updates
A number of people associate new OS versions with neat features and stability and performance improvements. But these updates also introduce security patches that were created in response to the most recent threats. And if you fail to update the system, you are putting your computer and data at risk.
Method #6 – Use Firewall
According to Geek Squad, hardware-based firewalls offer a better level of security than the ones that come with various third-party software. While having that extra bit of safety is a good thing, you should still rely on what you have on the Macbook.
Method #7 – Avoid Public Wi-Fi
When you are traveling, avoiding public Wi-Fi can be more or less impossible. Even though some hotels claim that they have the most secure connection around, trusting their word blindly is not recommended.
The Internet is necessary even when you are abroad. So what would be the best course of action in such a situation? Well, virtual private networks offer safe browsing, even when you are using public Wi-Fi. On top of that, you will not have problems accessing restricted websites, which is quite common in certain countries.
Method #8 – Be Smart with Your Passwords
Passwords are not something you can casually keep on a random document file on the desktop or Google doc. Even clouds are not the safest place.
It is also better to use complicated passwords instead of a random word with a few numbers added at the end of the password. Finally, do not use the same password for everything because if someone gets ahold of it, you are at risk of losing everything, not just a single account.
All in all, those who have been looking for ways to improve their Macbook security and worry less about potential threats looming out there should benefit a lot by implementing the methods mentioned in this article. And the more methods they implement, the safer they will be.
