Most Mac users gaze on smugly as reports of each new Windows security crisis break. And they have good reason: At press time, research from Sophos (a maker of antivirus software) showed that 68 viruses have affected the Mac while 97,467 have affected Windows. Of those 68, most are a decade old or older and don’t directly affect OS X.
But although it may seem that there’s no reason to worry about security on your Mac, you shouldn’t think you’re completely safe. Apple’s regular Security Update releases prove that there’s cause for concern, and common sense suggests that you’re most vulnerable when you let your guard down.
So how can you tell the difference between fearmongering and true dangers? We examined nine common beliefs about Mac security—and show you what you really need to worry about.
- Spotlight on Mac Security
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Mac Security: Fact and Fiction
Are you worrying too much about security—or not enough? Our panel of Mac security experts examines several commonly held assumptions about viruses, spyware, wireless networking, and Web privacy and reveals which ones are true and which ones are false.
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Select Your Shield
Don’t let the small number of Mac viruses lull you into a false sense of security—you need antivirus software for your Mac. We look at four programs—Intego VirusBarrier, McAfee Virex, Sophos Anti-Virus, and Symantec Norton AntiVirus—designed to keep your Mac secure.
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Raise the Wall
While OS X’s built-in firewall will protect most Mac users from hacker attacks, it isn’t that easy to customize and lacks the bells and whistles of similar products. Are third-party firewall applications any better? We put Intego NetBarrier, Pliris FireWalk X2, Symantec Norton Personal Firewall, and Sustainable Softworks IPNetSentry X to the test to find out.
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8 Ways to Protect Your Mac Right Now
From turning off automatic login to setting up an Open Firmware password, here are eight tips on protecting your Mac and its data.
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OS X Security Utilities
If you share a Mac with others, there will come a time when you’ll want to clean out your browser cache files, delete chat transcripts, and remove any other traces of your activity. We look at two security utilities—MacWasher X and Internet Cleanup—that will help you do just that.
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Test Report: OS X Firewalls
An explanation of what we looked for and what we tested in our review of five OS X firewall products.
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SecuriKey Professional Edition
Griffin Technologies’ keychain-sized device combines a software password with a USB key that locks others out of your files.
Are You Worrying Too Much about Security—Or Not Enough?
