5 tips to better protect your privacy under Mac

You use a mac computer, thinking of being sufficiently sheltered from different threats to the web. Indeed, you only download software from the App Store or other reliable source. And yet, the figures do not lie: Apple computers on the Dark Web and hackers forums have increased by more than 1,000 % since 2019, suggesting that ** Mac users are well in the viewfinder of cybercriminals **.

Moreover, macOS is not exempt from vulnerabilitiesand infections can spread since the insertion of a simple USB key. In short, the apple brand operating system is not infallible in terms of cybersecurity.

To help you better protect your Mac data, here are 5 tips to take into account.

1. Be vigilant

The first cause of propagation of a virus or malware capable of stealing your data, it is thehuman error. You have clicked on a link in your web browser without paying attention to the source. You introduced a USB key thinking that it was sure. You have come across a phishing site or an email, inviting you to connect or enter identifiers and you have not wary.

It is important to be careful in all situationsto think before clicking, and also to have a security system that alerts you in the event of a suspicious link or fraudulent site.

2. Use a password manager

As for Windows, A password manager is useful Not only to save all your identifiers in a secure safe, and thus not to have to memorize them, but also to automatically restore them in an authentic connection form. Indeed, your passwords are associated with an identifier and a web page. When you go to this web page, the connection form fills up, guaranteeing you that you are of course on an authentic site and not a phishing site.

In addition, with the multitude of online accounts we have, whether for our subscriptions, our invoices, our favorite banks or online stores, it is impossible to remember each password. The ease solution is to use the same identifier for all sites, or to use very simple passwords, which, of course, is not optimal in terms of cybersecurity. By saving your identifiers and restoring them, The password manager allows you to use strong and different passwords for each account.

3. Check the authorizations of the installed programs

As with nomadic devices, When you install an application that should have access to your camera, files or other itemsyou must explicitly authorize it. Under macOS, this practice is also common since system settings, in the confidentiality and security menu.

So, You can check that some programs do not have access to your entire system. For example, an audio player will need to access your files and your speakers, but does it need your camera … It is not necessarily a malicious program, but Limiting authorizations when possible is a good measure to protect your data.

4. Regularly clean the history and cookies of your browser

When you use your browser to consult web pages, you always leave invisible traceswhich are stored in your browser. They allow you to navigate faster, because the elements are pre-recorded in your cache browser, reducing exchanges with remote servers. And they also allow you to send statistics and data to sites and search engine (Google, Bing) which provides them with a large mass of information on your digital habits to then send you targeted advertisements.

If you feel that all of this data should remain confidential, you have three possibilities:

• change your browser and opt for a tool more respectful of your privacy,
• use private mode (or incognito) of your browser, even if some doubt about its effectiveness,,
• regularly clean navigation history and cookies of your browser.

Admittedly, it may seem tedious to navigate the Internet in private mode, because nothing is saved and not even your identifiers via your password manager. Cleaning your browser data can be an interesting and fast alternative to private mode.

5. Use an antivirus or a more complete security suite

Although some still doubt theutility of an antivirus for Mac and Linuxthere are indeed malware and viruses for these operating systems. According to figures from 2020, Mac attacks increased by 400 % And the trend is not down. Mac computers are therefore not invulnerable and that is why it is best to install an antivirus.

And to go further, know that full safety suites can have all the tools previously cited. Indeed, they have not only a Antivirus that analyzes your files, a password manager, a module for monitoring your emails, cleaning tools and many other safety tools like a VPN.

What are the best safety suites for Mac?

Norton 360 Deluxe

Norton 360 Deluxe for Mac offers a series of security features designed to provide complete protection against digital threats. It incorporates protection antivirus In real time capable of detecting and blocking malware, ransomware and other malware targeting macOS.

A intelligent Monitoring incoming and outgoing network connections to prevent unauthorized access to the device. The service also includes a Secure VPN, To encrypt navigation data and ensure online anonymity, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.

For the management of sensitive information, A password manager is integrated to store and synchronize identifiers, credit cards and confidential notes. The extension Safe Webcompatible with the main browsers, protects against fraudulent sites and phishing attempts, notably by reinforcing security during online purchases.

Norton also offers monitoring of Dark Web : If personal user data is detected, an alert is immediately sent. Finally, the subscription, which offers a license for 5 aircraft, includes the “100 % against viruses” promise, which engages the assistance of an expert in the event of persistent infection, with the possibility of reimbursement.

Avira Prime

Avira Prime for Mac offers a full suite of safety, confidentiality and performance optimization featuresall integrated into a modern and fluid interface, compatible with the latest versions of macOS and the Apple Silicon chips.

In terms of security, Avira Prime incorporates real -time antivirus protection which automatically analyzes open, copied or downloaded files, including those from external devices such as USB keys. This protection is based on Avira Protection Cloud technology, allowing rapid detection of threats, including “zero-day” attacks.

To strengthen confidentiality online, ** Avira Prime offers an unlimited VPN ** based on the AES 256 protocol, guaranteeing robust data encryption and the possibility of bypassing geographic restrictions. A password manager is also included, making it possible to generate, store and synchronize complex identifiers on all your devices. In addition, the removal of follow -up cookies helps preserve your anonymity online.

On the performance side, Avira Prime includes an unnecessary file cleaning toolreleasing disk space by deleting caches, logs and other temporary files. A starter manager allows you to control the applications that start at the system start, and a dedicated uninstalling ensures the complete deletion of unwanted applications.

All these features are accessible via a Unified and intuitive interfaceoffering a “Smart scan”Who combines antivirus analysis, detection of confidentiality problems and system optimization in one click. Avira Prime is available with an annual subscription covering up to five devices, which they operate under MacOS, Windows, Android or iOS.

Avast One

Avast One on MacOS offers a simple, but effective approach to cybersecurityfocused on online threat protection and privacy preservation. The integrated antivirus works in the background to detect infected files in real time, malware and attempts to phishingincluding during web browsing or downloading attachments. A Specific protection is also activated to block malicious sites even before they are loaded in the browser.