It is easy to fall for the belief that MacBook owners should not worry about malware problems.
Sure, macOS is not as prone because there are fewer threats in the first place. Malware developers aim to attack as many devices as possible. Since Windows is more popular than macOS, it makes sense to create viruses targeted at Windows users.
At the same time, malware and other cybersecurity threats are advancing, and more and more of them cover multiple operating systems, not just macOS or Windows.
Why should you be worried about potential attacks on your MacBook? Well, there are a few reasons.
The first is personal information exposure. If you are not careful, malware could acquire your login details for various accounts. And if the information gets into the wrong hands, who knows what might happen.
A malicious virus could also delete important data and leave you with no options to restore it. Some malware also eats a computer’s drive space, so you might have a hard time clearing system storage space on a MacBook.
Finally, overall disruptions to the performance. Your laptop will slow down significantly, making you wait for applications to load longer than usual. Random freezes and crashes may also be a common occurrence on a malware-infected computer.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the most effective strategies to prevent the potential malware threat on your Mac.
Start With Proper Antivirus Software
XProtect is the default macOS protection tool, but you cannot really call it a proper antivirus. Some users reported that XProtect did more harm than good. They had to disable the tool and install reliable antivirus software.
If you want to protect the MacBook from potential threats, you should follow suit and get a proper antivirus. There are multiple options. Ask tech-savvy people for recommendations if you know any. Or, as an alternative, look for in-depth reviews on the internet.
A good antivirus may cost money, but it should be a one-time payment rather than a monthly fee, so an investment like that is worth it.
Have the software run in the background whenever you use the computer. This way, it will detect potential threats and eliminate them before any malware or virus manifests in the system and causes problems.
Change Your Online Habits
There are multiple instances when spending time on the internet may lead to cybersecurity issues. Oversharing information on social media, poor password management, and clicking on shady links are a few examples.
Some websites also have aggressive advertisements, and an unsuspecting person may click on them accidentally only to be redirected to a landing page that is full of malware.
Installing an ad blocker extension on your internet browser would be a good solution. Someone else might also use your Mac, and they might not be too familiar with online ads. However, if you eliminate them from the picture, there will be less to worry about malware or viruses ending up on the MacBook.
Limit Physical Access to the MacBook
Speaking of letting other people use your computer, you should be more careful about certain permissions. For instance, it would be better to create a separate user profile instead of letting another person use the MacBook on an admin account.
Another thing to note is that if you take the laptop with you and use it in public places, be careful not to leave it. The odds of someone returning the MacBook to you are slim, not to mention that someone might do harm after accessing your Mac.
Install System Updates
The latest macOS updates offer more than just new features or performance improvements. The operating system developers react to potential threats and release hotfixes to add a layer of security to the OS and protect it from malware.
Therefore, you should prioritize upgrading your OS even if it takes a while to download and install an update.
Create Data Backups
While data backups are not a direct way to protect the MacBook from malicious attacks, it is still recommended to back up the files in case something happens to the computer, and your storage gets wiped.
There are two options to back up Mac data. The first is to transfer files to iCloud storage. Apple offers five gigabytes for free with an option to extend. Two terabytes cost 10 dollars per month, though you could also go for a cheaper option – 50GB cost a dollar, and 200GB cost three dollars per month.
The second method to create backups is by getting an external hard drive and backing up your files via Time Machine.
Read the Latest Cybersecurity News
You should keep up with the latest cybersecurity news now and then. Knowing what to expect will give you an advantage as you will have a better understanding of how to deal with potential threats.