10 Mac Settings To Make Your Mac More Secure

[@abhikm001]

You’re my one stop solution for all my Mac related details! Thanks a lot for the great work ☺️

[@cagodheere]

Thanks for your help. Please let me know what can I do if I forgot my password to unlock security & privacy on macbook pro. Thanks again This Mustafa.

[@macmost]

You forgot your Mac account password? See support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/reset-your-mac-login-password-mh35902/

[@AlgisKemezys]

Oh my GOD! So much to learn from this video. Blessing for you wolfcrow!

[@Heart-cy9tb]

Thank you so much, I am so happy I found your channel.

[@carolinebarlow4795]

Thanks very much, Gary! Great to have a recap of any security settings I may have missed.

[@AlgisKemezys]

This is a masterclass. Thank you with great respect!

[@stehume]

Great Video, is it worth turning on the firewall as no mention of this. thanks Gary......Using M1

[@macmost]

No need for the firewall as macOS and most consumer apps don't "listen" for incoming connections like Windows does/did.

[@BP-1988]

Great tips! Thanks Gary.

[@rabrefrei]

Der beste Mac Kanal überhaupt. Weiter so. Danke

[@bobbyntammy]

Always helpful. Thank you Gary!

[@mattgiaro]

Hey Gary, appreciated the video especially the “personal message” when locked where you can add a phone number. I would appreciate a videos on how to set up different users on Mac and deal with shared folders between all of them. In the past, dealing with multiple users and having access to other users folder was quite a pain. I’m using more than one user on my Mac to be more productive and have cleaner workspaces... Thanks

[@BookProX]

Is the "Enable stealth mode" good to have it checked in the "Advanced" option under "Firewall" tab? Thanks for making compelling Mac video tutorials!

[@graced5848]

Very Informative - keep up the knowledgeable shares!

[@RAMSBR001]

Another tip: Pressing Ctrl + Command + Q will instantly lock your screen. Good practice to lock your screen when you walk away from your Mac, especially if you are in a public place or office. (You can also click the Apple menu and lock your screen from there).

[@yksvochbby.ps6717]

you can also do that with Hot Corners

[@zoltanzana]

@@yksvochbby.ps6717 You can also do that with Option + Command + Power button

[@Dave_Outside]

On the M1 Macs FileVault enables almost instantly, no waiting 5 hours.

[@eleanorisadog]

Thank you! All of this is very helpful and well explained! I have subscribed!

[@toma1610]

Any video about encrypting the outgoing message? Would you say that in this topic Microsoft Outlook still offers better tools?

[@macmost]

I'm pretty sure every major (and maybe minor) email service has encryption between the client (app) and the server and has for many years.

[@toma1610]

@@macmost There is an option: Preferences > General > When searching all inboxes, include results of: ☑️ ENCRYPTED messages. This lights up my curiousity. Translation approx. because my interface is in Spanish. When look up in the Help for Mail, typing “encrypt”, I found all a procedure about How to Sign or encrypt emails on mac, it talks about a personal certificate that I should have in the Keylog (Key-ring). So, this makes me think that we can go for an “extra layer?” of security, to avoid what is called “man in the middle”, trying to get that certificate, with extra PAYMENT probably? I don‘t think will be worthy for my humble daily work, but I want to know more about cyber-security. Thanks a lot, Gary!

[@macmost]

@@toma1610 That's something rarely used. You;'d need to establish encryption between you and the person you'd be corresponding with, public and private encryption keys in the right places. I've never done that. Never needed to. I suppose if you needed to do that you'd talk to your IT department about it to set it up.

[@jamesdavis3528]

what do you think of the yubikey? and why cant I use it on Apple ID/iCloud ?

[@macmost]

Never used it, so no opinion. Apple ID uses its own two-factor system.

[@arghyachakraborty]

You have been doing great job, Gary! ❤

[@foxruns77]

Really like how fast you speak! Hate it when someone talks slow! Great video!

[@nipundeshpandecomposer]

Thanks Man!! This was really helpful. One question, what is Wifi weak security WPA? never seen it before but now it's here, dont know how to fix it .. any help? thanks again.

[@1Aquadon]

Thanks Gary!

[@BarneyLeith]

Excellent, informative and sensible - many thanks, Gary!

[@mrenjoyable]

nice one! very helpful.

[@MarianneStClair]

Thank you What do I do if i am wanting apps like Loom and Steamyard to use my camera and it is not showing up in the privacy settings as you showed in this video? How can I fix this?

[@macmost]

Can you drag them there from the Applications folder? Try that. If not, then contact those app makers for advice.

[@wes9000]

thank you for the video. I'd like to ask you what is the other volumes in container on toy mac's storage. it doesn't bother me since its just taken 3 gb but I'd like to know what it is. thank you

[@andreamenzel5139]

Question, I have not set up my time machine for a backup, However the only option I have to set it up is to “other airport time capsule”-when clicking on this to set it up-the domain name under internet is not a name I recognize, How can I reset this? Great info, Thank you!

[@macmost]

Do you have an Airport Time Capsule? If not, then that's not the right option to choose. You should see the hard drive you connected to use for a backup in the list above that.

[@luizm.4249]

following most steps now, thanks Gary

[@pratyushsingh33h93]

Hey Gary Do we need a anti virus on Mac computer if I frequently download movies from external websites?

[@macmost]

Are these sites you trust? See kzbin.info/www/bejne/epnPapKGbdp1rZI

[@dustinkeller29]

Thank you!

[@loisskiathitis8926]

Wow! This is very helpful and very informative video! Thank you, Gary! 👍🏻

[@ge0graphaly]

8:04 For some reason it always fails to install updates on my Mac Mini. Don’t know why

[@gpellmind]

You didn't talk about Firewall. What's your advice on that?

[@Nutwigg1]

I think he has another video on security and he addresses this very issue.

[@johnstephenson8087]

Another good video. Thank you. Have you looked at any of Sun Knudson's Privacy videos? Some interesting content there.

[@nat_bug]

For the encrypted time machine is okay if we have set up where you type in password and have it set up as encrypted already in the hard drive settings?

[@Nutwigg1]

Gary: first, thank you for this useful video. Second, question about adding a message to the lock screen. I added a message but it’s towards the very bottom and in very small font. I’m worried the message could be overlooked. Is there a way to modify the location and font size of this message?

[@carlosprovyrivera8522]

Awesome tips and security suggestions! Thx again.

[@pduperera]

These are good tips and but about the firewall and privacy?

[@macmost]

Firewall won't do anything for privacy. In general, a Firewall isn't needed on a Mac as apps don't have open ports like in Windows (or Windows used to, at least).

[@pduperera]

@@macmost Thanks for the reply but i thought enabling the firewall and blocking all incoming connections is more secure.

[@macmost]

@@pduperera Nope. Makes no difference on a Mac unless you are using developer or specialized software of some kind.

[@pduperera]

@@macmost I didnt knew that. Thanks anyway for the info!

[@kevinfletcher1999]

I tried to encrypt my backup disk but didn’t get the option to. Just 3 choices, Use unencrypted, Erase existing backup and Choose a different disk. Running Big Sur 11.6.

[@jimshorts1451]

Very helpful video . Thank you so much 🙏

[@christhompson6010]

if you join a private network then your mac is private correct ? All my windows PC,s are set to private network on my router with password protection however i don't see the option for private network on my mac pro.

[@macmost]

Not sure what you mean by "private network."

[@christhompson6010]

@@macmost On my windows desktop i can set my network to public or private. dont no where the option is on my mac pro. Live in a townhouse and have a apple tv and MacBook pro.Noticed and attempted login to my apple TV from someone outside my network possibly a neighbor .so went to my apple TV and change access from everyone to my network only. Don't Know where the option is on my Mac Pro in case someone attempted to log in to it. I'm assuming that it showing my local network on option that its automatically private like my windows system but not sure. I share files between my windows system and mac pro. want to make sure both are on a private network for protection

[@macmost]

@@christhompson6010 By private do you simply mean it isn't listed when other people look for Wi-Fi? That wouldn't be a function of Windows or Mac, but something you do in the controls of your Wi-Fi router. But as long as you have a password set for your Wi-Fi, you are fine.

[@christhompson6010]

@@macmost On windows Public means anyone can view and access shared content set to Privet only people on network can access content the option in windows is listed in advanced networking. the option in Apple TV is the settings A= everyone B=only on network. Example on apple tv on my local network when apple TV is set for everyone people outside the network can see it If I set apple TV to local network only no one can see it. Looks like the option is not available for mac pro when sharing files locally

[@macmost]

@@christhompson6010 Oh, so you mean network sharing? Those settings are in System Preferences, Sharing. People outside your network can't see anything on your network though. Mac or Windows or anything.

[@saintwolfvision]

good video thanks

[@davemengle4961]

Great tips! And to anyone who doesn’t want to key in a password, grab and Apple Watch and configure you Mac to automatically allow unlock with the watch. Not 100% perfect, but works about 95% of the time in my experience.

[@blast5558]

Should I turn on firewall?

[@macmost]

Do you have a reason to need it? Like are you a developer working with ports in some way?

[@ivannieto4671]

I have been using Time Machine for years. If I turn on FileVault, will it cause Time Machine to do a full backup since every file has been updated?

[@dudurty0652]

Question on the Time Capsule part: When i checked the box “Backup Automatically”, I am prompted to setup an Airport Time Capsule. When I select the prompt and then click setup (bottom right), it just shows a globe image with “Internet” below it. Clicking the image only shows a pop up that’s basically telling me I’m connected to the internet. There’s nothing else there to help me setup my Time Capsule Auto Backup. Help!

[@macmost]

Do you have a Time Capsule? Like an actual Apple "Time Capsule" network router? They haven't made those in a few years. If you do have one, Apple has a setup guide for it here: support.apple.com/airport

[@dudurty0652]

@@macmost ... Oh, no i do not have a time capsule. I wasn’t aware that there was an extra component needed for this feature. I guess that explains why I couldn’t move forward. Thanks for replaying.

[@SpeedyCotton55]

All really good info, thank you sir..

[@jamesheseltine8283]

How long will FileVault take to encrypt? And will it slow my Mac down?

[@julessmith5581]

Nice vid. Gary. The one Best Practice tip missing is the creation of a Standard (Permissions) User Account - in addition to the Admin User Account created by default during initial macOS set up. Then use the Standard Account for 'day-to-day' use. It's not good to have a System-wide Permissions on a User Account which is more likely to be compromised.

[@macmost]

I don't agree with that. If it is your Mac, then use it with an admin account. A standard account won't make you more secure. The main difference is only that standard users can’t add other users or change other users’ settings. So it is good for parental controls since they wouldn't be able to create a new account to get around them, but otherwise just use a regular admin account.

[@pn7695]

Nice video as always. I have one small question. Currently I'm using M1 Mac Air 16gb but running firefox and other developer tools take a lot of memory and can cause my mac heat. It's the best practise to shutdown the app when I done to release the memory or I just keep it there? Thank you

[@macmost]

If you are going to be using it again soon, just keep it running. I usually hide the app to get it out of the way. I go all day with Safari, Mail, a Finder window and a few other apps always running. Memory is dynamic in macOS and has been for years. So if you aren't using the app, it should be using much memory. It isn't like the old days when you launched an app, it took a portion of memory and only released it when you quit. It hasn't been that way for a long while.

[@dixienormus9701]

any securiy tips for ipads users mr gary greetings from beautiful warm singapore

[@herenowjal]

Thank You !!!

[@jackcheung4301]

What about the firewall? It is off by default, surprisingly.

[@macmost]

Right. The vast majority of Mac users don't need it. It doesn't protect you from malware or any major security problems like phishing and such. You only need it in special cases like if you are a developer running a server on your Mac.

[@spivvo]

This is very helpful... thank you :)

[@skybear400]

Hey Gary, when I click on "Display login window as name and password," it shows my full name as it is what I entered when I was originally setting up my computer. I tried to remove my last name in System Preferences, but got a message that doing so could damage file connections. Show I just leave things as is? Thanks, Mike

[@macmost]

Do you mean you set up the "short name" with your first and last name? So that is now the name of your Home folder? If so,, best to leave it as changing it will be a long difficult task that can easily go wrong.

[@komsuntaisakun7328]

Great tips,Thank you very much

[@javtimestwo]

Awesome video. I learned a few tips/tricks here(again). Regarding network name-how do I change the network name? I currently have the default name that my internet carrier provided to me. I dislike the name, it's confusing to me and if I can change that to something like you have it would be easier to identify. Thank you!

[@macmost]

You change that on the network router, not your Mac.

[@javtimestwo]

@@macmost game set match=DONE! thanks again 👏🏼

[@xroadracer]

Great tips. Thank you very much!

[@radensj]

I do not have Software Update in System Preferences. Where is it?

[@David-iu3mx]

Thanks for video, changed a couple settings on Macbook.👍🏻

[@mrX666-s9p]

Well I just got hacked and could not believe it on a mac m1. So what happened I've got an csrf with some man in the middle attack combination pretty much without even clicking on a link while sending a message on reddit chat pressing enter (don't use reddit very unsafe) a bot threw fast a link impossible to know since it happened after sending and this happened during a chat with a person not a group. Somehow I was threw out of reddit to a website they forced my action to be like a click. Then I knew something is off and it is an attack but since I wasn t sure because I dind't click that it would be safe just to clear out browser. Inspecting reddit and everything using inspect tool I saw how forced scripts that didn't belong there were put in html of all websites I would go also certificates of websites were changed so attacker would have http access giving him more access power. Tip even if you see the safe lock and url is https click on the lock make sure it says all is safe because attacks are more smart into tricking you. It can say its changed but only with more details so those parts can be covered. So after this I panicked seeing even clearing storage and everything in browser I still had forced certificates and unwanted scrips in websites. Since chrome had access to keychain by the way don t allow browsers access to keychain hacker had all of my private keys, accounts details, everything to access what he wants. I have a app that can track extra hosts unwanted ones, I checked that and knew hacker got a root level access and it's bad. I had ports blocked secured firewall all of that turned remote access off for all options, everything you could do but it is not enough. This attack was very powerful to have so easily root access he modified stuff that controlled system things like when you turn on the mac malware would take that moment and enter into the system with his own access behind so even though you stop the mac or restart he will always connect back automatically. Attacker even installed an app in my mac without knowing to search for some available possible ports to get data out. I stopped the attack by turning wifi off from mac os but to be sure just get your wifi out of the outlet. No matter what you do when an attack gets into your system he has root access to your mac because he is using your account that is logged in. So with this what I learned and how should everyone proceed to be sure you are safe is do what this video says. Watch out what extensions you use preferably don't use extensions with access to your mac just those that don't need stuff like keychain and so on. Buy an antivirus with a good protection online and vpn what I didn't use because I was confident I would not get a hack since I have so many permissions that are required and features of remote access off on the system. Most dangerous attacks are from online bots and from small things they can get into your system like nothing if you don't have a good antivirus that always watches. Understand that huge changes in the system can be made even without you knowing. Also if your antivirus doesn't have this you could buy a separate software to monitor network in case you feel something strange is happening its good to check and confirm in time. This days online platforms can be so dangerous because of lack of security and people who take advantage of that and for hacks as well most dangerously are bots tracking and attacking you in the right moment. Don't know why not more people say this but Reddit and Discord are the most dangerous apps to use stay away they just scam and won't help you knowing how weak their security is and allowing the bots like that is just malicious of them. While they say don't click strange links in my case it wasn't even about that it was a bot possible to create on reddit that could just forcefully make me click something with no way in preventing that. Sorry for the long message just want to help so nobody would get hacked like me I have to wipe out everything update credit cards and accounts, other leaks of data now really sucks.

[@Darryl136]

Is working good

[@chipster9422]

Wish you would redo for iOS 17.3.1. it would make it easier to follow.

[@macmost]

It is on my to-do list.

[@abhisheksingla794]

How do I protect my outlook app data if someone steals my Macbook and knows my password

[@macmost]

They have your computer AND your password? That's not a good position to be in.

[@PatrickBijvoet]

With the M1 Macs activating the Filefault after using it allready for a few months is thanks to the encryptionkey a question of 1 second after choosing how you can unlock filefault. With old macs it took some time. By the way, I encrypted the timemachine too, after 2 months, it took with the M1 just a little over 20 minutes.

[@mikejduk]

One of the things that bugs me about the mac system on my desktop is the music app. I would prefer to use an app that isn't going to take over my listening and save options. Apple's Music app just seems to take over and their push to use the Apple iCloud is frustrating. Why would I want to use their iCloud for music storage when I have an external hard drive. Can you, dare you, recommend an alternative to Apple's Music app. It's the only application I miss from the Windows system.

[@macmost]

Not sure what you mean. You can certainly use your local storage for music. In fact, that's the default. You have to pay for iTunes Match of Apple Music to use iCloud for music storage. Otherwise, you have to store your music locally.

[@ryanzmuda3167]

Under security turn on firewall. Why is it off by default.

[@macmost]

macOS doesn't have services listened by default like Windows does (did?). So Firewall isn't needed. But some developers may want it if they are running services or apps that have vulnerabilities.

[@ryanzmuda3167]

@@macmost ok never thought about that

[@mek658]

Keep It Up NIce one

[@stacyhackney6100]

Thank you for this video. I bought a mac air. I have hackers and am not computer savvy. Please tell me how I can make the mac more resistant to my very sophisticated, knowledgeable hackers. Thank you sir.

[@macmost]

Look at my free course on Mac Security: macmost.com/mac-security-course

[@stacyhackney6100]

@@macmost Thank you.

[@PromotingTheBeat]

I have mine also set on immediately because I have an Apple Watch and it unlocks with that instead of having to type.

[@jscotttalley]

Gary, love your videos. Thanks so much for sharing. Gary, I'd like to put Bible studies (mp3's) on my iPhone from my MacBook Pro running Big Sur. It's been a while since I've done this and noted that the process has changed considerably. That said, it would great if you would consider a video on the subject. Thanks man! Jeff.

[@macmost]

Thanks! I did a video on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ6ao2OmrLVredk

[@jscotttalley]

@@macmost Awesome! Thanks Gary!

[@hermes8258]

Thanks for the lesson, but I am not confident that you are correct because none of the instructions this far are strictly speaking accurate. In fact, on my new M1 MacBook Air with the most recent update of operating system everything is 'off' (in the sense of your step-by-step verbal guide being inaccurate and ultimately leading to a dead-end). Specifically... 1. No visual menu of icons appears, just a list. 2. "System Preferences"? No, 'System Settings' 3. "Security & Privacy"? No, 'Privacy & Security' 4. Next step under "General"? No. Nothing there about requiring password after X many minutes. I tried going back one level to "Privacy & Security". Nothing there either. Yet I was so sure I saw these settings when I explored my MacBook Air recently. A mystery to me.

[@GarryBurgess]

When I bought a new Mac, I put in a hard password, but somehow what I typed was not what I thought, and I had to phone Apple support to help me break into my new Mac.

[@Youtube-zz7yw]

You know rock, right?🤘

[@joem6234]

I can't see how to open my encrypted time machine, and I gave it a password

[@tmikeporter]

The Apple Watch will unlock your Mac automatically, on the new Macs at least. Very nice.

[@colettecolette4292]

Great job. Love how you explain things. Wish you'd start a channel on cryptocurrency. Thanks for all you do Gary!

[@FactFlix3]

0 dislikes

[@TheOkinawaBoy]

Paranoia?

[@macmost]

I actually agree. I think in most cases you don't need to all of these. But it depends on your circumstances. Use paranoia to get good at security practices. Just don't take it too far.

[@mikejduk]

Another extremely useful Video, Gary. Thank you.

[@paultavener825]

Very helpful thank you

[@gabrielpozzetti2786]

THANKS A LOT!!!

[@ilovemywifemost]

I have been using Time Machine for years. If I enable FileVault, will it cause Time Machine to do a full backup since every file has been updated?