News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

April 17, 2008

security

Secure your Mac, just in case

Posted Apr. 17, ’08, 12:15 PM PT by Dan Pourhadi
Category | Security

macSecurityArs1.jpgWe of the Mac Elite love to tout the fact that Mac OS X is hella (yes, I said hella) secure — no real virus threats, or serious exploited vulnerabilities, or miscellaneous malware of virtually any kind. Most of us don’t use anti-virus software or firewalls, and hell, I have a big sign on the lid of my AirBook that says “Go ahead. Try to hack me. I dare you.” I download known Windows viruses for fun, just to play with the files and amuse myself with the comfort of knowing that it can’t do anything to me.

Of course, some have told me my feelings of digital safety are misguided; that somehow I only have the illusion of safety and one day this apathetic approach to computer security is going to seriously bite me in the ass. Fear-mongering, if you ask me.

But just to be on the safe side, I recommend we all take a look at this great piece at Ars Technica detailing some basic ways to secure Mac OS X. Most of the tips and techniques use features that are already built into OS X, and includes info on how to improve the built-in firewall, set up security-oriented user accounts, take full advantage of the Mac’s included security options, and more. Plus, it’s three pages, so it has to be good, right?

If we’re secure now, imagine how secure we’ll be if we follow this simple advice. Talk about arrogance overload. I might explode.


Leave a comment

 



Visit other IDG sites: