Beyond antivirus: Other essential tools to protect your Mac

Macs were once thought to be nearly invincible from a cybersecurity perspective, but now face more threats than ever. Just a few years ago, Mac-specific malware was a rarity. In 2021, security specialist Patrick Wardle discovered eight new malware families that targeted the platform. By 2023, that number grew to 21. While this may seem small next to the number of CVEs that affect Windows, It’s a reminder that Macs aren’t as immune as were once believed.

With macOS gaining popularity, more hackers see it as a worthy target. Luckily, there are some simple ways for protecting your Mac from malware, phishing, and other online threats. Let’s look at the important tools that every Mac user should have.

Antivirus software

Macs are known for their built-in security, but with the rise of Mac-specific threats, antivirus software has become a worthwhile investment. Antivirus software provides an extra layer of protection by scanning a system for malicious files, blocking risky websites, and detecting vulnerabilities before they become an issue. They provide regular scans and real-time protection to keep a Mac safe as new threats emerge.

Most antivirus programs for Mac are pretty thorough, covering malware, network filtering, and phishing protection, with custom settings for different environments like home or public networks.

Backup solutions

Backing up your data is one of the best ways to protect against data loss from theft, damage, or ransomware. Apple’s Time Machine automatically backs up your files to an external drive, while cloud options like iCloud and Backblaze provide remote backups for an extra layer of security. To set up Time Machine, connect an external drive, go to Settings > General > Time Machine, and choose your backup disk.

Firewall protection

The firewall is one of the often-overlooked but essential parts of your Mac’s security. It regulates connections in and out of your computer based on specific rules, blocking unauthorised access. While many people rely on their routers for network security, this isn’t always reliable–especially with ISP-provided routers. For example, with the IPv6 protocol, your Mac could be exposed to incoming internet connection as many routers are not properly configured to handle IPv6.

macOS includes a built-in firewall, which is normally enabled by default. However, it is a good idea to double-check that it is enabled in System Settings.

Password managers

Password problems are common – most people use weak passwords, forget them, or recycle the same ones across multiple sites. That’s risky. Password managers offer a solution by securely storing all passwords in one encrypted vault and helping you create strong, unique passwords or phrases for each account. Some will even alert you if any of your accounts’ credentials were exposed in a breach.

Apple’s iCloud Keychain does cover the basics, but it’s limited. Apple’s new Passwords app in iOS 18 is more robust, with features that alert you to weak or reused passwords and provide an overall more convenient experience. However, it doesn’t support exporting passwords just yet, so if you’re already using a third-party manager, you might want to stick with it until Apple offers easier migration.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is essential for anyone connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. It encrypts your internet connection, making it tough for hackers to intercept sensitive information. For Mac users, a VPN also boosts privacy by masking your location and activity on unsecured networks, especially important if you’re doing online banking or sharing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi.

(Photo by Jonathan Kemper)

See also: Hackers are increasingly exploiting packers to spread malware

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Tags: apple, development, ios, security