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Macs are reputed for providing better security of data than the personal computers by and large. Safety on the internet is also better on Macs. However, of late Macs are being critically analyzed for security, especially after the incident of Flashback Trojan which occurred towards the beginning of this year. Post the incident, these machines can no longer be considered to be completely safe. With passage of time, Macs are gaining popularity, internet based services are also increasing in number along with cross-platform support features. Likewise, the threats associated with Macs are also multiplying. This article gives you some easy-to-follow methods, adopting which you can ensure better safety of your Mac that will intricately make the entire Apple community safer. Ensure Physical Security This is not an internet oriented issue, but the probability of your Mac getting bogged down due to physical reasons is relatively higher than from the threats emanating from the internet. You are therefore advised to check the conditions of lock-down cables and surge protectors at regular intervals. Also ensure proper encryption of all your data especially on the laptops and back up the important ones at multiple locations up to the last minute. Apple’s Time Machine is a useful tool which can be used for local backup. However, it is always better to keep remote backups along with local ones. Watch out for Updates It is important to keep a track of the security updates. Whenever a new risk is identified, security vendors as well as computer manufacturers come up with security patches and temporary fixes. Therefore, it is important to download and install updates whenever they are published. Mac users can subscribe to Apple’s Software Updates and download them as soon as they are released. Besides, you can also make use of others sources like social media and blog posts to keep yourself abreast with the updates. The applications that are used frequently, especially those which support cross platform access should always be updated. This is equally applicable to software that need internet connection for working. Lack of updates often paves the way for virus and malware to intrude your machine. Use a Personal Firewall Personal firewalls are capable enough to keep data secured on your Macs. On the Mac OS X series, Apple has provided an integrated personal firewall which can be used for this purpose. Nevertheless, you can opt for a better one. Make sure that the firewall has logging enabled completely. Also use a log analysis tool to prioritize issues that needs to be taken care of. Although there is a firewall that comes with routers, it is better than you get an additional one. Secure the Wireless Connections Securing the wireless environment is another way to ensure the safety of your Mac. Change the password of your wireless router periodically and use WPA type encryption. You may take certain steps by not allowing the router to be controlled by others over the internet and creating a closed network with limited access to the identity. Basic users may find this difficult initially. But with a little research, it becomes quite easy. When you are travelling, make sure that you stop any services that your Mac may be providing via firewall. You are further advised to be alert and see if any unauthorized person is trying to intrude your network. If possible, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for further security. Also keep an eye on rogue access points. Mac security has become an important issue after more than 600 million Macs were infected in US by the Flashback Trojan. Users are thus advised to apply security at different levels as much as possible. Ensuring physical security is as important as internet security. Encrypt and all the important data and back them up at different places. In addition to the router based firewall, use a personal one. Apply strong passwords by making them a combination of letters, numbers and special symbols. Look out for security updates and install them right away. By applying all these steps, you can ensure better security of your Mac. Brooke M. Perry is an ardent technician associated with Qresolve online technical support, with wide experience of fixing issues with PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. With a strong track record of devising effective ways of remote Pc repair and system security, she has so far helped thousands of users across the globe. Her writings on tech issues are the reflection of her in-depth interest and command she carries as a online computer support technician. Her blogs and articles have been rated high for their lucid style and easy to understand language.
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