#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC INSTALL#
#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC SOFTWARE#
#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC PC#
#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC DOWNLOAD#
#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC MAC#

Your Mac’s default settings largely reduce the chances that a bad guy will trick you into installing malware.

#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC MAC#

Gatekeeper can limit your app installations to just those downloaded from registered developers and the Mac App Store.

#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC SOFTWARE#

You can change these settings to allow downloading and launching software from the Mac App Store and nowhere else, or open up your Mac to software from any location.

#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC DOWNLOAD#

By default, you can download and launch software only from the Mac App Store (all of which Apple has prescreened and approved) and from websites of registered third-party developers.

#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC INSTALL#

Meet your Gatekeeper: The Gatekeeper feature (go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and look under Allow Applications Downloaded From) restricts what kind of software you can install on your Mac. It’s ideal for laptops, and it even includes a recovery option that you can use in case you forget your password. It’s similar to Microsoft’s BitLocker-but that utility is available only in the Windows Enterprise and Ultimate editions, whereas FileVault is available for all OS X users.įileVault is reliable, and generally it doesn’t affect system performance. You can find it by going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault. OS X includes two powerful security features that aren’t available on consumer versions of Windows.įull hard-drive encryption: Encrypt your entire hard drive (and external hard drives) with FileVault. By default, Java isn’t even installed on your Mac, so you can eschew using the plug-in altogether if you prefer. Safari, Apple’s built-in Web browser, doesn’t have all the same protections found in the latest version of Internet Explorer, but it still offers several great security options, such as the ability to allow Java-an oft-hacked technology available as a plug-in-only on specific sites. It’s similar to-though not as powerful as-Microsoft’s Security Essentials. Unlike Windows, your Mac doesn’t include an outbound firewall, but you can always add one if you wish by installing a third-party program such as Objective Development’s Little Snitch.īuilt-in antivirus support: Your Mac includes a (very) basic antivirus feature (called XProtect or File Quarantine) that operates in the background to keep you from running into trouble while you’re browsing the Web. If you want, you can also block all connections under ‘Firewall Options’. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall to turn on the firewall it works similarly to the Windows Firewall by default, blocking incoming connections on a per-application basis. This limitation is okay, though, since network attacks aren’t nearly as common as they used to be. You can also see what updates are available at any time by going to the Apple menu and choosing Software Update.Īdd firewall protection: Your Mac’s built-in firewall isn’t quite as robust as the Windows one, as it won’t automatically adjust itself based on the network you are on.

Your Mac prompts you with a system notification when new updates are ready clicking the notification launches the Mac App Store.

You can choose whether the computer should automatically check for and download such updates in the background by going to System Preferences > Software Update.Īll your system software updates come through the Mac App Store. Keep current: To stay safe and avoid nasty security problems, we recommend keeping your application software and system software up-to-date. (You can also find a shortcut to System Preferences in the Apple menu and, by default, in the Dock.) A quick note: To change security settings, you may need to first click the lock icon in the lower-left corner of the window and enter your password. System Preferences: You manage most security settings through the System Preferences application, located in the Applications folder.

Here are the three panes inside System Preferences for managing most of the security settings. While you have many ways to fiddle with the security preferences on your Mac, we’re going to focus on the most important ones and highlight key differences from Windows. Keep your system up-to-date, be careful what you click on, and be careful about what software you install.

#BASIC ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC PC#

The core principles for safe Internet computing remain the same, whether you use a Windows PC or a Mac.

Basic antivirus for mac