The adoption of Mac computers in the enterprise sector has seen a steady climb over the last decade. This trend has been driven by companies implementing choose-your-own-device (CYOD) and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies. According to a recent JAMF survey, when given a choice, 72% of employees prefer Macs over PCs. The Unix-based architecture of macOS is widely regarded as a more secure alternative to Windows, which remains the primary operating system in the workplace and a favorite target for hackers globally.
While it is true that Macs experience fewer cyberattacks than their Windows counterparts, the myth of their invulnerability has led to a dangerous complacency. Many companies do not invest adequately in Mac security, believing that their systems are inherently safe. To improve Mac OS digital security, you need to invest in additional cybersecurity enhancement tools. This applies not only to cybersecurity entrepreneurs, but also to anyone who works with important data.
Top Mac Tools for Online Safety
1 Data Loss Prevention
Data can be vulnerable not only to external threats but also to the malicious actions or negligence of insiders. While Macs come with robust built-in security features such as FileVault and Open Firmware Password Protection, these measures fall short when threats come from within.
This is where Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions for Macs, like Endpoint Protector, are essential. DLP technology uses predefined policies to identify, monitor, and control the movement of sensitive data, including personally identifiable information (PII), intellectual property (IP), and data protected by regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
With DLP solutions:
- Sensitive data transfers via insecure channels—such as personal emails, messaging apps, file sharing, and cloud services—are blocked.
- Hard drives are scanned for sensitive information, which is then deleted or encrypted if found on unauthorized users’ computers.
2 VPN
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) offer enhanced privacy and the ability to mask your location, making them a valuable tool for many users. the VPN industry has grown significantly, resulting in a competitive market. This competition has driven providers to improve their services and security measures.
Today, VPN for Mac can protect the system and data that goes out or comes from the outside. It can even be a VPN free trial, but the main thing is the provider’s no-logs policy, high server bandwidth and reliable encryption measures, as well as cybersecurity. If you are looking for a service that you can download on Mac, that meets the listed requirements, you can choose VeePN. It has additional measures to protect against phishing, block malicious sites, filter traffic from malware, protect privacy and much more.
3 Encryption
Protecting your data through encryption is one of the most reliable ways to secure information in case your device is lost or stolen. Mac users can utilize FileVault, a built-in macOS tool, to encrypt their hard drives. Although setting it up may seem challenging at first, once FileVault is enabled and the initial drive encryption is complete, it will continuously encrypt new data, ensuring it remains inaccessible to anyone without the key. Additionally, the Apple File System (APFS) offers integrated, granular encryption at both the file and volume levels on Macs.
While this approach secures your local hard drives, transferring files to USBs presents another challenge. This is where specialized DLP tools like Endpoint Protector come in handy. With its Enforced Encryption feature, Endpoint Protector can automatically encrypt sensitive files during transfer to USBs, ensuring that only those with an encryption key can access the data.
Tip! To keep your data safe while it is being transmitted, you can use VPN for browsers, apps for Mar or iOS. Interestingly, VeePN iOS app offers AES-256 encryption, which is used by banks. It is almost impossible to crack with the current level of technology development.
4 Backup
Contrary to popular belief, macOS does not inherently provide ransomware protection. However, you can take simple precautions to safeguard your data from cybercriminals. One effective strategy is avoiding the storage of sensitive data solely on local hard drives. Instead, leverage macOS’s built-in backup tool, Time Machine. This tool can be configured to run automatically in the background, continually saving copies of your files, applications, and system files to an external or secondary drive. It is essential to note that these backups are unencrypted, even if FileVault is enabled, thus requiring separate encryption.
For users with the latest MacBooks, backing up data to iCloud is also an option. However, this approach presents potential issues in enterprise environments. There is a risk that confidential company data could inadvertently sync to employees’ personal iCloud accounts. Therefore, it’s advisable to disable the iCloud backup feature in such settings.
While Apple incorporates numerous security features within macOS, it currently lacks tools specifically designed to mitigate human error. With hackers becoming more sophisticated and ambitious, and the prevalence of Macs in professional environments increasing, companies can no longer afford to rely on the perceived invulnerability of Macs. Proactive steps must be taken to secure valuable data.
Conclusion
Mac OS’s cybersecurity capabilities should not be overestimated. There are so many vulnerabilities and cyber risks that cannot be completely prevented by the default operating system configuration. Additional security tools will help reduce risks and create a safe workplace.
Hey there, I’m Jennifer M. Lowes, but my friends call me Jenn. Born and raised in sunny California. By day, I’m a freelance makeup artist transforming everyday people into their best selves. By night, I’m here on this blog, sharing my favorite nail designs, makeup tips, hair styling techniques, and much more.