Macos is a solid operating system. But no matter how safe an operating system is, it is weak when connected to a network. For privacy, if you get online, your privacy is at stake, so never assume that you are safe only because you are using Apple’s OS.
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You can always take steps to improve the possibility that your privacy will not violate. What are those steps? Let’s jump inside.
1. Use a VPN
A VPN is always a good idea. Why? A VPN is not only an anonymous of your IP address (so it is very difficult to track you), but it also encryps your traffic. Personally, they can help things. Together, they are a powerful weapon against those who will disrupt your privacy.
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There are lots of VPNs that you can use (such as proton VPN or Nord VPN), but one is important to use one that integrates with the operating system, so all your outgoing traffic has been anonymous and encrypted. If you use only a browser extension, only the traffic that leaves your web browser is replaced. To achieve the most security and fastest speed, use a payment option. Most free VPNs slow down your network traffic, which negatively affects the speed of your browser.
2. Use strong password
This should be said without saying, but strong password is the easiest way to protect your accounts (start with your Macos user account). If you use a weak password, someone can break into your desktop and wreak havoc on your privacy.
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You should also use a password manager (such as Bitwardon). Not only password managers secure your login credentials, but they also include random password generators capable of creating very strong passwords. If your MACOS account is safe with a weak password, immediately turn it into system settings> login password.
3. Use encrypted storage
Your Macos drive is most likely encrypted, which protects you if someone steals your computer. With storage encrypted, they will have a difficult time to access your data. But this does not mean that you cannot benefit from using an encryption tool.
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Outside the box, your Macos machine uses filewolt – capable by default – to secure data on your disc. However, you can take it one step forward by encrypting the specific folders in your home directory to give them an additional layer of safety. You can use equipment like Verycrypt (Available for free), which facilitates the drag-end-drop AES-256 encryption for files and folders and shares easy with Windows.
4. Manage the app permission carefully
Macos allows you to manage the app permissions to ensure that any app you installed have no access to anything that it should not do. For example, you can install a cute little game from the app store, only to find that it has access to the camera of your MacBook. Why will a game need access to your camera? This is probably not, and you want to immediately disable it in system settings> privacy and security.
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I care to take care of this feature. Before you disable any permission, make sure that the app you are dependent does not require permission to function correctly.
5. Use system reporter
System Reporter is a great place to see more information about your MAC, which you will probably need ever need. This report provides detailed information about hardware, firewall, network, Wi-Fi, volume, locations, software logs, sink services and more.
Note that the system reporter is not a device that will fix the issues. Instead, it gives you all the information required about your system. Through this report, it is a good idea to comb regularly. To find the system report, go to the Apple menu> about this Mac> System Report.
6. Clean your browser history and cookies regularly
Your browser history and cookies say more about you. The third party can use this information to generate your profiles, which allows them to track advertisements on you.
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If it sounds like an invasion of your privacy (which should be), then you should clean both your browser history and any saved cookies regularly. Even better, you can use your browser in private (or secret) mode. Yes, using secret mode for everyday use can be inconvenient (because nothing is saved), but if you are serious about your privacy then this is an excellent step.
7. Disable telemetry
By default, your MAC shares diagnostics and user data with Apple so that the company can “improve products and services.” The telemetry not only includes logs, but also the location information. Imagine if someone stops that information – they can definitely use it against you. This telemetry is not necessary to work for your Mac, so I suggest disabled.
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To disable analytics, open system settings and search for “diagnostics”. Click “Diagnostics and User Data”. In the resulting window, click on/off slider for share Mac Analytics, and your Mac will no longer send Apple to the telemetry.
8. Install a better browser
Finally, install a better browser. Safari is fine, but if you want to be serious about your privacy, install Brave Or Tor browserAny of those browsers is more capable of protecting your privacy.
Which of the two saves you the most? This tor will be browser, but the tor brings some additional complications. If you are looking for an easy upgrade, it will be brave. Although Bahadur has additional security which is not a safari, it is not safe as TOR. Bahadur includes a VPN, but it is a membership service. The Tor uses the Tor Network to make its data unknown and encrypt its data, so out of the box, it is better to protect you from the brave.
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The good news is that if you use brave in private mode, it is preserved by the TOR network. So if you want an easy option, install the brave and use it in private mode.
9. Immediately lock your desktop
I have always found disappointment, that, out of the box, when I close my MacBook Pro Hide, it does not automatically lock the desktop. Instead, it misses for something like five minutes. This is not good. I could close the lid, walk away, and someone could open the lid and find himself on his desktop.
If I really want to retain my privacy, I immediately configure Macos to lock the desktop. To do this, go to the system settings> lock screen and require passwords after the screen saver starts or stopping the display immediately.
10. Disable unnecessary features
I do not use aircraft or other sharing features on my MacBook, so I disable them. By doing this, I prevent unauthorized data transfer. To disable the Airdrop, go to System Settings> General> Airdrop & Handoff and replace the Airdrop, disable the receiver, and allow the current user to change the airplay.
I also disable Siri and Apple Intelligence, which is done in System Settings> Apple Intelligence and Siri.
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