“One of the things Apple/MacOS (Operating System) computer users have enjoyed over the years is the fact that they have generally remained unaffected by virus and malware threats,” says Ryan Ploger, CEO of Pelllicare.com IT firm.
“Therefore, they have not had to deal with security nearly as much as Windows users for various reasons. Without much demand for third party antivirus software, MacOS users just free-wheel around the Internet without much concern for security. This has created a particularly vulnerable segment of users and systems.
“Three basic things can be done to get the MacOS system and user up to snuff when it comes to cybercrime prevention in your home and office: Software updates, User awareness, and a Disaster recovery plan.
“Always apply Apple’s software updates as it does a good job of releasing patches to address system vulnerabilities. It isn’t necessary to always upgrade your OS to the latest version, but applying ALL updates to your OS in a timely fashion is critical. Updates are the patches within your OS version, while upgrade changes the OS version itself and can be delayed, but it’s best to not let your OS version get too far behind. Also, at least consider anti-virus software.
“With a fully patched system, the weakest link will be the user. Phishing emails, fake phone calls from ‘IT support’, flash drives found in the employee parking lot can just basically hand over the keys to your system to cyber criminals. Learn to recognize the signs of an attack or phishing attempt, and train your employees to do the same.
“A disaster recovery plan is critical to prevent loss of money, reputation, and even your entire business. First and foremost are backups. If you do become a victim, you must be able to get your data back and a backup solution will enable you to do just that.
“Apple has a great built-in backup system called Time Machine. However, it is generally attached to a disk connected to the computer and can also become deleted if your system is compromised. Have two backup disks—one connected and one offline, since hackers can’t get your offline data. Rotate them at regular intervals based on your risk tolerance.
For more information on protecting your Apple/Mac OS system, contact Ryan Ploger at Ryan@Pellicare.com.