Cyber attackers continue to create new and difficult-to-recognize threats to users every day. Computers, regardless of brand, operating system or other features, can be vulnerable to hundreds of cyber attacks. With a 15% share of the desktop market, Macs are not considered a primary target for hackers, but OS-independent threats such as social engineering or social engineering designed specifically to exploit macOS vulnerabilities are also plentiful for Mac users. Pointing out that there are important factors that users who want to ensure the security of their Mac devices should pay attention to, Laykon IT Operations Director Alev Akkoyunlu lists 5 basic steps that users should follow in 2022.
1. Do not delay security updates. Many users avoid installing updates because it takes a long time or because there is not enough space on their device. However, system updates are the most important step for the safety of Mac users, as with all electronic devices. Many threats are invisible until they are exposed. Therefore, always keep your software up to date as a precaution.
2. Disable remote access. Few users use the remote access functionality on Macs. Remote access functionality can pose a potential risk to Macs. If your configuration allows for unauthorized remote access, cyber attackers can exploit the vulnerability to access your files, steal your credentials, or install malware. If you are not using this feature, you should definitely disable it. Select system preferences from the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen and go to sharing. Unlock access with your administrator password and uncheck the boxes next to remote login and remote administration.
3. Disable Spotlight suggestions. Spotlight is the system-wide desktop search feature of Apple’s macOS and iOS operating systems. Be sure to disable Spotlight if you don’t use it, which can pull information from anywhere, including your email inbox, personal documents, or even the web. For this go to system preferences and select Spotlight. Uncheck any boxes you don’t want them to access.
4. Be careful what you install on your Mac. Some of the most common cyberthreats targeting Macs are PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications) and adware. To avoid such threats, you should not download applications from anywhere other than the Mac App Store. If you cannot find the application you are looking for in the App Store, you should also make sure that the source you downloaded from the internet is safe. If you are downloading applications from the internet, make sure you have a security solution running in the background.
5. Use a security solution. While malware may not be common on Macs, they are inherently vulnerable to platform-independent threats like phishing. Apart from this, you should definitely use an award-winning security solution such as Bitdefender Antivirus, specially designed for MAC computers, to protect Macs, which may be vulnerable to ransomware or other attacks, from cyber attackers.
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