Mandatory Security on a Mac - Easy and Free

You don't have to buy or download anything for this exercise.  It will take only a few minutes with your System Preferences to secure the system better.  (This had been tagged onto the end of an article but it's worth an article of its own.  All of these steps are very easy, very free, and very secure ... which is a whole lot of very for zero money.)

You definitely want your Firewall running.

1. Click System Preferences
2. Click Security and Privacy
3. Click the Firewall tab
4. If it's not on then turn it on
5. Click OK

You don't answer everyone you see on the street so why let your computer do it:

1. Click Firewall Options (may need to click the lock / enter your password to permit changes)
2. Click Enable Stealth Mode to activate it
3. Click OK

The above will mean when some external entity Pings your computer, it will not respond.  That Ping may represent the first probe in an attack.  Don't answer it.



The following is improbable but the most destructive attack always comes from an improbable source.

1. Click Advanced (bottom of panel)
2. Unless you use an infrared remote control for your computer, Disable Remote Control
3. Click OK

I don't know how much potential there may be for some Dagwood to cruise down your street trying to pair a remote with your computer but infrared means it has to be line-of-sight so it's kind of improbable.  Nevertheless, why permit it if you don't need it.


None of these measures require any follow-up action.  Once activated, these processes will work like automatic door locks on your car.