How to set up your Mac for privacy
Here are steps you can take to protect your privacy – from encrypting your Mac to making Startpage your default search engine.
1. Easily encrypt your Mac with the built-in FileVault
First of all, encryption is important because it keeps unwanted eyes from being able to access your data. Mac and Macbook have FileVault encryption which protects the files from being seen or copied. It protects your data by encoding the information so that it cannot be read unless the login password is successfully entered. This is especially helpful if your Mac is lost or stolen. It ensures your personal data is protected from intruders.
How to encrypt your Mac with FireVault: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault
2. Set a password for your account
How to Set a Password for Your Mac: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General
3. Update macOS regularly
As a rule, you should keep all software up to date. If you receive an update notification, update as soon as possible. Often, macOS updates include security updates to protect your device. Consequently, if you put it off you’re leaving your Mac vulnerable to zero-day attacks. To make it easy, you can set your Mac to “Check for updates” or “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.”
How to Update your MacOS, Set it to Check for Updates, or Automatically Update: Apple icon > About This Mac > Software Update
4. Turn on Firewall and enable stealth mode
Macs have a built-in Firewall to block unwanted incoming connections. If you’ve turned on your Firewall, you also have the option to enable stealth mode.
How to turn on Firewall and Enable Stealth Mode: Apple icon > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall
5. Require an admin password to access system-wide preferences
If someone gets access to your Mac or MacBook, they can make lasting damage to your device. For this reason, it’s important to put as many barriers. Protect your Mac from intruders or malware that want to make drastic, widespread changes to your device.
How to Require an Admin Password: Apple icon >System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General > Advanced
6. Control which apps are accessing your personal information
Apps may be accessing more information that they need. They may even have access to your Mac’s microphone or camera. You can turn off access or limit the apps that have access to this data. It may seem harmless, but a lot can be done with your location, contacts, photos, calendar, or reminders.
How Limit Apps from Accessing your location: Apple icon > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy
7. Restrict apps downloaded on your Mac
Apps can be used to get malware onto your Mac. However, you can restrict your mac to only downloading apps from the Mac App Store. Apple reviews each app and removes it from the store if there are any violations. Still, you should always research an app’s privacy policy before downloading any app.
How to Restrict Which Type of Apps are Downloaded on your Mac: Apple icon > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General
8. Opt-out of sending Apple diagnostics and usage data
When you’re first setting up your Mac, Apple asks you if you want to share your Mac analytics to improve the quality and performance of its products. Keep in mind, this data can include information such as the apps you use and your location. You can review your settings and opt-out of this.
How to Opt-out of Sending Apple data: Apple icon > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy >Diagnostics & Usage
9. Review permission for sharing services
Sharing services like screen sharing, file sharing, and remote login come with security and privacy risks. Review your sharing preferences and turn off any that are not essential to your work.
How to Check Which Sharing Services are Enabled: Apple icon > System Preferences > Sharing
10. Make Startpage your default search engine
Startpage is the world’s most private search engine, helping you search online without leaving a trace. We store you no personal data: no IP addresses, no search tracking, no search history. In brief, when you change your default search engine on your mac to Startpage you can search like no one is watching.
How to Make Startpage Your Default Search Engine: Safari > Preferences > General Tab > Enter startpage.gg in the Homepage Field > Update new window and new tabs to open with Homepage
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