It is true that MacBooks are not as prone to malware as other operating systems. After all, not that many people use macOS, meaning that hackers are less likely to create threats that affect Macs.
However, it is not just active attacks that threaten your computer. No, given how many different malware and virus sources exist, you need to create a proper anti-malware strategy that will protect you and your computer.
Keep in mind that malware or another threat can do more harm than just slow down the overall MacBook performance. A threat might find its way to the system and start consuming the drive space. While there are different ways to free up drive space on a Mac, says multiple sources, dealing with malware is not that easy.
Also, let’s not forget about exposing personal information. Your passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data could end up in the hands of others.
Avoid Relying on Antivirus Software
Relying on good antivirus software is one of the cornerstones of a solid cybersecurity strategy. At the same time, some threats might be too elusive for your antivirus.
Of course, this does not mean that you should not bother with antivirus software. If anything, it should still be on your computer. It is just that you need to be smarter while using your computer overall.
Stick to Reliable Internet Networks
There might be instances when you need to connect to public Wi-Fi. For example, while in a hotel or a library. Sometimes, these establishments do not offer Wi-Fi for free. You still need to pay a fee and get a password.
However, these passwords are not enough to offer sufficient protection. More often than not, public Wi-Fi lacks the necessary security protocols. Besides, there is no telling who the person with a password might share the information with.
If you need to connect to public Wi-Fi on your Mac, at least make sure that you are connecting to it via a virtual private network. While VPNs do not ensure 100% protection, they are still a great security layer to improve overall security.
Be Smart About Your Passwords
As a rule of thumb, you should avoid using the same passwords over and over. Imagine what would happen if someone got their hands on your password. They would have few problems with accessing your emails, social media, and other profiles.
You must have noticed how more and more services are asking for two-factor authentication for users who want to access various profiles online. If possible, you should switch to that, particularly when it comes to important accounts, like banks. Use a PIN generator or a Smart ID feature on your smartphone or tablet.
Getting back to passwords, if you feel like your current combinations are not good enough, use online password generators and store information in a password manager.
Update Your Device
Updating a device is also a good piece of advice. It is recommended to install macOS updates as soon as they become available. Some updates are bigger than others and may require more time to download and install, but you should still prioritize them.
Running the latest macOS version provides the computer with the latest security improvements. macOS developers react to new threats, and they push for new updates to the system to give users more peace of mind. Besides, it is not just cybersecurity. Some macOS updates also introduce new features and performance improvements.
Install Ad Blockers in Your Internet Browser
The internet is perhaps the biggest cybersecurity threat source. Even if you are mindlessly browsing the web with no worries, you might still encounter a problem.
For instance, some websites have an aggressive ad policy that forces people to click on ads if they want to continue viewing the website’s contents. In certain cases, you cannot return to the previous page unless you click on an ad.
Since some of these ads might redirect you to a malware-infected landing page, you want to eliminate them from your browsing experience. For that, install an ad blocker extension to your internet browser. Not only will such an extension increase online security, but it will also improve your overall browsing experience.
Back Up Mac Data
Data backups are not a direct way to deal with malware. They are a preventive measure to protect the computer files in case a threat wipes them.
MacBook users have two options. The first is to invest in an external storage device, such as an HDD or a USB flash drive, and combine it with the Time Machine tool.
The second is to transfer files to iCloud. The cloud storage service offers five gigabytes of storage for free, which is usually not enough. You will likely need to pay a monthly fee for additional storage. iCloud users can have as much as 2TB of total storage for 10 dollars per month.