Top 5 Data Security Tools for Mac Users

Introduction

Apple helped revolutionize the use of the personal computer with the Apple II. Since then, Apple’s MacBooks have become one of the most popular choices for a personal device. It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing at least one person pull out a MacBook.

There are plenty of reasons people like MacBooks. From their sleek design to their speed to their compatibility with other Apple products (the Apple ecosystem), MacBooks are a smart choice for a personal computer. However, one thing users need to keep in mind is their security. Similar to Windows devices, MacBooks aren’t perfect security-wise. Below are a few security tools any Mac user should get.

5 Recommendations for Data Security Tools

1. CleanMyMac X to Clean Up Junk Files

As time goes on—the longer you use your Mac—it will begin getting slower. Many users believe their device is getting slower because the parts in it are deteriorating, but that’s not what’s happening. 

In all likelihood, what’s happening is that, as computers get filled up with files and folders, they begin getting slower. This is because Macs store a lot of junk files. 

Hunting down these junk files and deleting them individually would take hours. Fortunately, CleanMyMac X is always an option.

CleanMyMac X scans through your Mac, locates junk files, and deletes them in one batch. After deleting these junk files, it will let you know how much clutter was removed. After that, you’ll definitely notice an improvement in speed, especially if you’ve had your Mac for a few years now.

2. Use a VPN to Secure Your Internet Connection

I’ve seen my fair share of Mac users use public networks to get their work done, including myself. And while there’s nothing wrong with using unencrypted networks, they’re usually unencrypted, meaning your data is vulnerable to third-parties present on the network, including cybercriminals.

To counteract public networks’ lack of encryption, you can use a Mac VPN to encrypt your data while using public networks. VPNs, known as Virtual Private Networks, encrypt your Mac’s data and minimizes your presence on the Internet, meaning criminals will have a difficult time finding you and your data.

3. Backup Your Data to the Cloud with Backblaze

Keeping your data stored on a local backup is always a good option for secure storage. However, it’s vital that you keep multiple backups of your data, and maintaining multiple local backups can be price-heavy and storage-unfriendly. So what’s the solution? 

Cloud storage.

As a Mac user, you could use Apple’s own iCloud, but it isn’t a full cloud storage solution due to how it works (iCloud syncs files, is not an automatic backup). For a true cloud storage solution, you can use Backblaze.

Backblaze operates as an automatic cloud backup solution, meaning that all your files are automatically saved to the cloud whenever one is created or modified. Backblaze is also very affordable, so you won’t have to worry about putting a large dent into your wallet when subscribing to it.

4. Secure Your Logins and Add Two-Factor Authentication with Authy

Passwords are capable of warding off cybercriminals and protecting all of your data (if they’re strong enough). However, even the longest, most advanced passwords can be cracked if the cybercriminal cracking it is patient and intelligent enough. For this reason, it’s important all Mac users use Authy to log into their accounts.

Authy is a two-factor authentication software compatible with hundreds of sites, such as Amazon, Microsoft, Dropbox, etc. The way Authy works is that when you set up two-factor authentication on a supported account, you’ll be able to use Authy to receive in-app codes. This is not only secure but can remove the trouble of receiving a bunch of one-time codes through email or texts.

5. Manage All Your Passwords with 1Password

Speaking of logging into accounts, let’s talk about the absolute struggle of managing passwords. The Internet today requires users to have dozens of accounts spread across multiple websites. Keeping up with all these passwords can be headache-inducing, and storing all your passwords in cleartext notes isn’t exactly the smartest decision.

So how does one keep up with all of their passwords? The best way to juggle all of your passwords is to use a password locker, more specifically 1Password.

1Password, like other password lockers, store all of your passwords within a “locker,” a catalog of accounts you have stored along with their respective passwords. All of this data is encrypted and hashed, meaning you won’t have to worry about a data leak exposing your passwords.

Conclusion

While MacBooks carry a reputation of being secure, they’re not perfect—no device is, after all. But with these five tools, you’ll be able to secure your Mac to the fullest. No more worrying about having your data stolen or losing it all to a hack!