Mac Security
Viruses, Malware, Rootkits and other threats
While the numbers of viruses, malware and other security threats targeted at Mac users is substantially less than experienced by Windows users, you should not be totally cavalier when it comes to Mac security.
If your Mac is behaving strangely or you have seen unusual error messages on your screen. We offer:-
- A complete Mac virus, malware, Trojan and rootkit detection and removal service.
- Mac anti-virus, malware and Trojan protection software.
- Optimising your browser to prevent phishing attacks.
As the user base of Mac has grown exponentially over the last few years, there has also been a rise in the amount of Mac targeted malware. Malware is malicious software on your system which is designed to cause unwanted pop-ups and sometimes collect confidential data such as credit card details.
Why should I have security on my system, I thought Macs were immune from viruses?
This argument whether security is as serious an issue for Mac owners as for Windows users has raged for years. While Macs are definitely more secure than your average Windows system, you also have to bear in mind there are some threats out there designed to attack both Windows and Mac. These are called cross-platform threats.
Cross-Platform Threats common to Windows and Mac.
- Password Phishing – A common scam that fools the user into visiting a fake site that looks like a real site. Examples of phishing scams that have targeted Irish users recently have included fake messages from the Revenue Commissioners and AIB Internet Banking.
- Security Exploits in Adobe Software. Common Adobe software such as Adobe Flash player and Adobe PDF reader have been used to attack both Windows and Mac users.
- Malware distributed by the video codecs as used by Quicktime media player.
If your Mac is behaving strangely or you have seen unusual error messages on your screen. We can perform a complete security check of your system.
- Mac virus, malware, Trojan and rootkit detection and removal service.
- Mac anti-virus, malware, Trojan protection software.
- Optimising your browser to prevent phishing attacks.
Another important reason why Mac users should have secure systems is that, as a Mac user, you may unwittingly receive malware from Windows users and inadvertently pass it along to friends of business associates (or customers) that also use Windows.
Data Security
While viruses, malware and Trojans are all threats from cyberspace you also need to take precautions from physical intruders.
3 Simple Security Steps for your Securing your Mac Data
1. Use a firmware password
An intruder can surmount security measures on a Mac system by booting the system using a Live CD. In the case of OS X, for example, booting from an OS X Installation disk allows you to make changes like resetting the administrator password.
By having a firmware password you thwart attackers from accessing your system in several ways including:Booting using Live CD
Running applications using a Mac installation disk.
Booting the disk into Target Mode and accessing data via the use of another system.
2. Turn-Off Automatic Login
By default, your Mac does not require a login password on start-up. If a thief or other intruder gets access to your system, they can easily access your data. Turning off automatic login is a simple way to add additional security to your system. To disable automatic login go to System Preferences > Accounts > Login Options.
3. Use Encryption on your Mac
There is an inbuilt encryption utility on your Mac called FileVault which will encrypt your Home folder. If your Mac does get lost, stolen or accessed by an intruder they will not be able to access any of your files in your Home folder.
If you keep sensitive data outside your Home folder, consider using a whole-disk encryption program which, as its name suggests, will encrypt your whole hard drive.