Filed under: OS, Apple, Security
8 security tips for OS X
No one likes it when I post about Mac security, the proof is in the comments. Will that stop me? Well, if I were afraid of harsh comments I would have stopped blogging here ages ago. No, security is too important to remain silent about. It would seem that I am not the only member of the Mac web that feels this way. Aaron Wright , writing for Apple Matters, has posted a list of eight security tips for OS X. There isn't anything new on this list, but I agree with all the suggestions (especially the last, because if you don't have that then all is lost). It is true that the only truly secure computer is turned off, not connected to anything, and stored in a vault, but following Aaron's tips will help your Mac remain secure. Isn't that what we all want?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joe B said 5:45PM on 5-10-2006
If you don't know those basic tips.. you should step away fromt he keyboard and go buy a gun.
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Tucker said 6:20PM on 5-10-2006
Yeah, Joe, seriously... I was all set to start yelling at Scott for posting about security, then I read the story and just started laughing.
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CajunLuke said 6:22PM on 5-10-2006
I swore off reading AppleMatters a month and a half ago unless it is linked form another site. Why? Their grammar is repeatedly and consistently atrocious.
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Thomas said 6:41PM on 5-10-2006
Tip number 9: Do not work as an admin! I repeat, do not work as an admin!
Why everyone forgets this small advice?
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Jay said 7:56PM on 5-10-2006
Keep writing about security. For those who disagree, there's always fun fun fun MacAddict magazine for ya'll ;)
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Markusf said 8:32PM on 5-10-2006
Well there is one that you should add to the list.
If you use Firefox and let it store website usernames and passwords, you should set a Master password.
If you don't, all one has to do is go into the Firefox menu preferences and look under Privacy->Passwords.
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joe said 8:54PM on 5-10-2006
but markusf, why use firefox when there is safari and camino?
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PcMike said 11:29PM on 5-10-2006
If mission ipossible told us anything, its that every computer is hack-able, just some are easier.
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fono said 5:03AM on 5-11-2006
@Joe
>why use firefox...
Because Firefox is better than Safari and Camino comes without the Extensions I need
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Bob said 6:48AM on 5-11-2006
There has been more data loss because of having anti-virus software installed on OS X than there has from OS X Viruses. Until OS X AV software has a better track record I am more afraid of the AV software than I am of Viruses. I know how much AV software sludges up a windows machine, and I don?t want to inflict that on my Mac until there is a credible threat from Viruses to the Mac, and I can find AV software I can trust. I?m not holding my breath waiting for either of those things to happen.
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Rafe said 7:47AM on 5-11-2006
Ok I've heard it time and time again... We should get an antivirus program for when the viruses do eventually hit the mac...
I don't see the validity of this statement.
Just because someone has a virus scanner doesn't automatically mean that they are safe from viruses. It just means that their computer is safe from those that are out there at the moment (that the antivirus ppl know about anyway).
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Metryq said 7:51AM on 5-11-2006
PcMike, are you referring to the first MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE movie? The "security" measures on that computer terminal were a joke, written up by Hollywood to justify flashy stunts. Consider the temperature sensor for one. The intruder was not the only heat generator in the room, and what is the function of environmental controls? There's a reason it's called a thermostat(ic).
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Jamie said 1:22PM on 5-11-2006
Just use ClamXAv. It's free and works much better than the paid programs.
And the most important security tip of all was omitted: have a separate admin account and don't give admin rights to your user accounts.
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