Whether it ’s hackers trying to steal secret data point , a government determined to snoop on everything you we do online , or large companies give chase us around the internet for sell us hooey , it seems there ’s more cause than ever to protect our privateness online .
Thankfully , macOS has flock of tool to aid us do just that , and there are plenty of stairs you could take and third - party applications you could apply to make certain your private data stays secret . As ever , many of the thing you may do are square and , make bold we say it , plebeian sense , but they bear repeating because so many people do n’t take the necessary activity .
In this article we extend elementary but comprehensive advice on protecting your privacy online when using a Mac . take next : How to protect your privacy on iPhone
Use a password manager, or at least Safari’s password tools
Apple ’s Safari internet browser allows you to store passwords and automobile - fill them when it discover you have get in at a site for which it has a password . It also let you to regard stored user name and passwords by going to Preferences and clicking the Passwords tab , and Safari can also paint a picture secure passwords for you .
In other words , there ’s no excuse for create passwords that can be easy guessed just because you do n’t want to forget them . too , using the same parole for multiple website and write passwords down on Post - it remark .
For even greater security system , practice a password handler like1PasswordorLastPass . In addition to suggest , store and machine - replete parole , these apps can store credit scorecard particular , permit codes and anything else you demand to keep secure . And they ’re encrypt with military - level encoding .
We also coverhow to stop Safari asking to use your location data here .
Use Safari’s privacy settings
Safari let you to qualify if and how websites you bring down store cookies and other data on your Mac . To specify your preference , go to Safari > Preferences and click the Privacy tab then choose one of the four options .
From here , you’re able to also set apart how websites prevail permission to use Location Services , or refuse license altogether . And you’re able to necessitate internet site not to track you ( although not all sites comply with the request ) and limit whether web site can stop whether you have lay out upApple Pay .
Private Browsing
If you ’re using Safari to shop for something especially sensitive , such as a talent for a get it on one or a new caper , you’re able to open a individual Window from the File menu , using thePrivate Browsingfeature .
When you ’re working in this windowpane , none of the sites you impose will be stored in History and automobile - fill wo n’t work . Tabs within the window wo n’t be salt away in iCloud and cookies will be delete when you fold the window .
Google ’s Chrome has a similar mode calledIncognito .
We have lots more Safari tips here : How to use the Safari World Wide Web internet browser on the Mac . And take a facial expression at5 useful reasons to wrick on private mode in your browser app
Disable Spotlight Suggestions
The Suggestions feature in Spotlight is very utilitarian , but for work , it transmit your search query , as well as the suggestions you pick out and ‘ relate usage data ’ to Apple . If you ’re distressed about that , subject System Preferences and chatter Spotlight ( on the top run-in ) . Now select the Search Results tab , and untick Spotlight Suggestions .
Use DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGois a search engine that forebode , unlike Google , not to track you . That intend when you use DuckDuckGo to seek for idea for a natural endowment for a hump one , you wo n’t be bombarded with adverts for those gifts whenever you gossip a site that host Google or Bing adverts .
To make DuckDuckGo the default lookup engine for Safari , got to Safari > orientation and click the Search tab . Click the Search Engine menu and choose DuckDuckGo .
learn more : Best Mac tips , tricks and timesavers
Keep macOS updated
Apple does its good to keep on top of the late on-line threat and feat and issues patches for them as apace as it can . In order for those patches to be effective , you need to instal them !
Security plot of ground are issued in the sort of updates to macOS . So whenever you ’re prompted to install an update , do it .
If you ’re uncertain whether your Mac is running the most up - to - escort version of its operating organisation , go to the Apple menu in the Finder , tick About This Mac and then click Software Update . If there ’s an update available , you ’ll be carry to the Mac App Store Updates section to download and install it .
Read more : How to update a Mac with the latest macOS software
Review Privacy Settings
Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and press the Privacy tablet . Starting with Location Services , refresh the app that have access to the data point on your Mac .
For exercise , clicking on Location Services will show you all the app that have accession to your positioning , while Contacts displays the applications that can view and utilize your contact data . If there are any coating you do n’t want to get at data , untick the box seat next to them .
We have more tips on how to use System Preferences here : How to use System Preferences in macOS ( and Mac OS X )
Make sure Firewall is on
Also in Security & Privacy configurations , tap the Firewall tab and verify the Firewall is on . If it ’s not , click the padlock at the bottom of the dialog box , type in your parole and click Turn On Firewall . This prevents unauthorized applications and services from accepting incoming connection .
Click Firewall Options to see which applications and service are allowed to accept incoming connection . On this filmdom you could also enable Stealth Mode , which terminate software ‘ ping ’ your Mac on a internet to see if it ’s there .
Read more : best Mac security department pourboire and illusion
Uninstall Flash Player
Flash Player becomes less relevant with every passing year . But it ’s still a pet for hackers . Unless you really need it and are prepared to update it every fourth dimension a new version becomes available , uninstall it .
Read more : How to uninstall Flash Player
Review your Facebook privacy settings
Most of us set ourFacebookprivacy preferences once and then forget about them . But Facebook ’s insurance change so often that it ’s worthwhile find out regularly to see who can access your visibility , your photo , your posts and everything else about you that ’s visible on Facebook .
societal medium is used by everyone from law enforcement and potential employers to those who are just snoopy , and it ’s up to you to check that you control how much they are able to find out about you . On your Mac , go tofacebook.com/settingsand get through on Privacy on the right hand sidebar . Review your current preferences and change them as necessary .
