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Macworld Mac Security Superguide
Protect your Mac from bad guys, malicious software, thieves, snoops, and other pesky problems.
Hey, What's This?
If you're familiar with our ebooks, you've probably noticed that this one is different. It was written by our friends at Macworld (some of whom also write for Take Control and TidBITS).
It's a dangerous world out there, but with some common-sense preparation, you can maintain your privacy online, protect your sensitive data, and keep your Mac safe from both malicious software and intruders. Macworld's experts start out with real-world advice on how you can safeguard data on your hard drive and on the Internet, complete with details on passwords, keychains, user accounts, encryption, Web surfing, instant messaging, email, and more. You'll also find tips for keeping spam at bay and identifying phishing schemes, and receive smart suggestions for how to deal with viruses and other types of malware. The Superguide also helps you secure your home network, delving into the details you need to know about firewalls, wireless networks, and file sharing. For those who compute on the go, the ebook looks briefly at staying safe while using your iPhone or working at a Wi-Fi hotspot.
More Info
Contents & Intro
FAQ
Blog
Questions answered in this book include:
How can I make my passwords memorable but hard to crack?
Can my friends use my Mac without comprising my privacy?
How do I make my laptop less appealing to thieves?
How do I keep email and instant messaging conversations private?
What is Safari's Private Browsing feature?
How can I access sensitive files from my Mac at home while I'm traveling?
How do the top antivirus utilities for the Mac compare?
If I run Windows on my Mac, what anti-malware measures should I take?
Why should I bother to configure a firewall on my Mac?
What firewall should I use if the one in Leopard doesn't meet my needs?
How can I safely share my Mac's files with other users on my home network?
How do I turn on WPA network security on my home Wi-Fi network?
How do I use a VPN when connecting to the Internet from a Wi-Fi hotspot?
Book Info
86 pages
Version 1.0
Published 15-Sep-08
4.7 MB download
ISBN: 0978981391
Free sample with Table of Contents, Intro, Quick Start, and section starts.
About the Authors
The Macworld Mac Security Superguide was written by Jason Cook, Glenn Fleishman, Dan Frakes, Rob Griffiths, Mathew Honan, Joe Kissell, Kirk McElhearn, Scott McNulty, Derek K. Miller, Rich Mogull, and Chris Pepper.
Mac users are accustomed to looking at their Windows-using friends, with their virus checkers and spyware and the like, and feeling just a little bit superior. And it's with good reason—so far, the Mac hasn't been plagued with the security problems that Windows has.
But things are changing. As the Mac grows in popularity, it becomes a bigger target for hackers and the authors of virus programs. And of course, some of the biggest privacy and security risks a Mac user will face won't be on the Mac itself. They'll happen when personal data moves over the big, wide world of the Internet, where criminals are actually lurking, trying to steal data, identities, and—of course—money.
That's why we created this Mac Security Superguide. In one place, we've collected everything you need to know to keep yourself safe and secure, from the data on your hard drive to the data you send over the Internet. We'll show you how to protect your home network and avoid infection with nasty viruses.
This book will give you tips about the most important single item in any user's security arsenal: your own brain. That's right—the biggest security holes in the world come from human behavior, not computer programs. Skills like choosing good passwords and learning how to avoid giving data to fake Web sites set up by scammers will serve you well, and this book will help you start down that safe and secure path.
Sure, it's scary out there. And yes, as a Mac user you are fundamentally safer than your Windows brethren. But you know what? Being safer than someone else doesn't mean you're invincible. You still need to protect yourself. Let this book be your guide.
—Jason Snell, Editorial Director, Macworld
San Francisco, September 2008
Table of Contents
Safeguard Your Data
Take Advantage of User Accounts
If you share your Mac with other people, user accounts are a must. Take advantage of this feature for maximum security.
Protect Your Passwords
Pick the strongest passwords, unlock the mystery that is the keychain, and troubleshoot common password problems.
Encrypt Sensitive Files
Do you have sensitive information on your Mac that you wouldn’t want ending up in the wrong hands? Lock it up by encrypting it.
Thwart Potential Thieves
Your beloved Mac is a coveted target for thieves. Keep it safe with these tools, including security cables, insurance, and alarms.
Protect Your Privacy Online
Surf Safely
If you spend any time on the Internet, you leave a trail. Ensure that nobody can see your browsing history or get their hands on your passwords or credit card information.
Secure Your Communications
E-mail, file transfers, and instant messages are all vulnerable to snoops while traveling to their destinations. Encode and protect them with these security measures.
Fight Spam and Phishing
The biggest threats to Mac users are spam and phishing scams. Recognize and avoid threats with the right combination of settings, software, and common sense.
Inoculate Your Mac Against Viruses
Know the Dangers
Viruses, Trojan horses, and other malware are rare on Macs but not unheard of. Learn about the possible threats to your system.
Prevent Infection
Antivirus software and reliable download sources are the best way to keep your Mac malware-free. This section has our top program picks for every kind of Mac user.
Locate and Treat It
Worried that your system is already compromised? Track down and remove suspicious programs from your computer.
Inoculate Your Mac Against Viruses
Set Up a Firewall
Thwart would-be intruders by making your Mac invisible with a firewall. Familiarize yourself with your computer’s ports and get instructions on setting up OS X and third-party firewalls.
Let Outsiders Access Your Mac
Sharing access to your computer is a snap in Leopard, but it also has its risks. Make sure your connections are secure by hand-picking who has access to what.
Secure Your Wireless Connections
It’s true that your wireless connections can be intercepted. Guard your data by being smart about your Wi-Fi, coffee shop hotspot, and VPN connections.
Can I read this ebook on an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch?
There are lots of great ways to read PDFs on these devices. For more details, please read our latest Device Advice.
Ask a Question
Feel free to ask us if you have a question about this book!
Send Us Your Comments!
How could we not publish such kind words? If you'd like to send us your comments (good or bad, though we hope they're all good), just click the Feedback link on the cover of your copy of the ebook. Be sure to let us know if we can publish your comment. Thanks!
Keeping up with our own Take Control authors is hard enough, but with our friends at Macworld putting together Superguides too, well, we fell behind in the end-of-year crunch in 2008. We now have Macworld's two most recent Superguides in our catalog. The Macworld Mac Security Superguide is particularly interesting, thanks to its real-world advice to help you maintain your privacy online, protect your sensitive data, and keep your Mac safe from both malicious software and intruders. The ebook also helps you lock down your home wireless network, set up a firewall, and secure your data when computing in public. $9.99
And for those who are ditching the desk chair for a coffeehouse-based office for the first time, taking that first laptop to college, or switching to a job that requires tons of travel, the Macworld Mobile Mac Superguide helps you pick the best laptop for your needs, find Internet connectivity wherever you go, share files with your Macs at home, keep your data backed up while on the road, and work through common problems when you can't easily call anyone for help. $9.99
The author lists for these ebooks again include numerous TidBITS and Take Control contributors - yes, it's a small industry, and we work with the best.
by Macworld
