Taking care of your computer is necessary if you want to avoid potential issues. Nevertheless, some people neglect to bother maintaining their computers in good condition. Instead, they leave things to chance.
If you manage to avoid problems, then it is fine. But it is better to be safe than sorry and take a proactive approach instead.
One of the biggest causes of poor computer performance is lackluster security. Even if you have a relatively reliable computer, such as a MacBook, you still need to create a proper cybersecurity routine.
Since macOS is not as popular as MS Windows, hackers are less likely to bother developing a threat that specifically targets MacBook users. They want a wider “demographic.” At the same time, it is only one small part of a much bigger picture.
Regardless, the bottom line is that you need to be mindful of potential cybersecurity threats. The purpose of this article is to focus on some key aspects and emphasize what Mac owners need to protect themselves from malware and other threats.
Virtual Private Network
Starting with a virtual private network is a good approach to increase Mac security. When you consider available tools to improve one’s security, then a VPN has to be one of the best options at the moment.
Sure, you have to pay, but the fee is relatively low, and it is usually about a few dollars per month.
The purpose of a VPN is to encrypt your data and make it inaccessible to potential hackers. In addition to offering security, virtual private networks can also be utilized as a means to access geo-restricted content. If you want, you can change your IP address and location to circumvent restrictions.
Users can might use the top VPN services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, and many others. All these are also considered as the best Free Fire VPN or for any other games.
Antivirus Software
Antivirus software is another crucial element to have on a computer. Of course, it means having an extra application running in the background and consuming system resources.
An additional resource hog is one of the reasons why some people do not wish to bother with antiviruses because they need to run in the background all the time to be effective by detecting and removing threats.
Take some time to see what are the best current options for malware on a MacBook and pick one for yourself. Also, note that just because antivirus software is free, it does not mean that it is mediocre. If anything, there are plenty of free options.
Password Policy
A good password policy can be difficult to create for those who have a lot of different online profiles. The purpose of different and complicated passwords should be pretty clear.
Despite the fact that companies are investing in security and user data protection, you still hear stories about data leaks.
Exposing login details of users means that their information becomes public. A leaked password spells trouble for someone who uses the same password for all of their accounts.
As a rule of thumb, you need to create different passwords for different accounts. And if memorizing these passwords is too hard, use a password manager.
macOS Updates
Prioritizing macOS updates is a good habit, even if you do not have concerns about cybersecurity.
For many, the purpose of a new operating system version is to benefit from the latest features and overall performance upgrades.
However, there are plenty of cases when macOS updates offer patches and security improvements.
Missing a macOS update might expose the MacBook to recent malware. As such, you should not hesitate and download an update so that the computer can install it as early as possible.
Data Backups
Use iCloud or Time Machine to back up data. Backups are not a proactive way to prevent malicious security threats. Instead, they are a preventive measure in case your files get corrupted or removed.
A backup copy is useful to have as a safety net. Ideally, you need to have more than just one copy as an extra precaution. If you can, back up data using both cloud storage and Time Machine.
The first time you back up data might take a while, especially if there are a lot of files. But future backups will not take as much time.
Ad Blocker Extensions
Given the aggressive ad policy and shady landing pages, it is possible that you might click on an online ad and get redirected to a malware-infested page.
To eliminate this specific issue, you are better off using an ad blocker extension as it disables online advertisements and improves your overall surfing experience, in addition to security improvements.
Keep in mind, though, that a poorly optimized internet browser could lead to various internet-related problems, such as the wi-fi issue connection-wise or sluggish performance.
If you use ad blocker extensions in addition to others, do not go overboard. Instead, think about which extensions you can remove to keep the extension library optimized.