We all agree that Mac is more secure than Windows computers. Mac computers run under macOS, a Unix-style operating system with high reliability and security. However, every software has a flaw. You still need to handle your Mac's security settings in the right ways to ensure your privacy is protected from possible hackers.
Now macOS doesn't offer a built-in antivirus/malware scan feature. Its security mechanism focuses on password management, data encryption, and sharing. Like all operating systems, macOS works hard to patch flaws in time, so hackers and cybercriminals cannot get a chance to exploit defects. It's the core that Mac has a high reputation for keeping customers' private data safe.
1. Software Updates
If the software has any flaw, your Mac will be at high risk, especially a defect is reported publicly. So you should update software regularly. In addition to macOS, don't forget to update all apps installed on your Mac, which are as important as MacOS to keep your privacy safe.
In the Software Update preference pane, click Advanced; you can see settings related to software updates. It lets you check installed system data files and security updates and helps you get the latest updates as soon as possible. Here you have two basic options: auto or manual update.
- Auto-update: if you have the bandwidth, check for updates automatically and download new updates when available.
- Manual update: if you dislike interrupting, e.g., working on an important project, you don't want apps or macOS to be updated.

2. FileVault
FileVault is Apple's full-disk encryption feature. If you activate FileVault, your files will be encrypted. In case your Mac is stolen or lost, no one can decrypt them unless knowing your password. Did you hear some stories that someone lost a computer then loss secrets too? If you have a Mac and turn on FileVault, you will never be in such a horrible story.
When the feature was first introduced, it slowed down performance slightly, but that is no longer a big concern. To decrypt files, you need to type in your account password or the recovery key created when you switched FileVault on. Besides, in some cases, you need to type in a password to open a file. For some users who don't care about data leaking, the inconvenience may outweigh the security advantages.
However, if the Mac is for your business or has critical personal data, you should turn on FileVault as follows. FileVault turned on, all the files under your account will be encrypted; it is robust and secure and is especially useful if your Mac gets lost or stolen.

3. Back-Up Data
Backing up your data is like an insurance policy. In case your data isn't in good shape, either by yourself in an accident or by cybercriminals intentionally, the backup will help you out. Usually, no one wants to get payment from an insurance policy, but it helps very much just in case.
Mac offers a comfortable and useful backup tool, called a fancy name: Time Machine. Time Machine needs extra storage to contain backup contents: an external hard drive or a network volume. As long as your settings are done, Time Machine automatically backs up your Mac every hour. It's a handy built-in tool to keep your data safe.

4. Firewall
The macOS has a built-in firewall feature, which blocks any unwanted incoming network connections. But the feature doesn't turn on by default. If your Mac often runs in scenarios with public Wi-Fi, you had better turn on the feature as follows.
- Click the Firewall tab in the System Preferences > Security & Privacy pane
- Click the padlock icon at the bottom left to unlock system settings.
- Click the Turn On Firewall button.
- Then click the Firewall Options button.
- In the dialog box that appears, click the Enable Stealth Mode box.
This last step means your Mac will be invisible on public networks, such as shared Wi-Fi in a cafe, and no one malware can access it.

Of course, your Mac can still receive an inbound connection by maintaining a white list. You can set a list of apps and services which can collect incoming data when macOS turns on the firewall.
However, macOS's firewall works only in one direction: it shields you from inbound traffic, not outbound. Its job is to stop apps and services that accept incoming connections.
If any malware has run at your Mac, MacOS's firewall cannot stop it from connecting to the Internet. It means your privacy may leak without your awareness.
If you are concerned about an outbound firewall, you need to install third-party apps or tools.
5. Password
You should be aware of how important it is to have a secure password, which is the key for your Mac's user accounts. If anyone can access it, all your data will be disclosed. You need to ensure that your password is secure but also that you can remember it. There are many tips about creating a secure password, which isn't only for Mac's password but also for generic passwords.
You can set a password for Mac as follows.

There are three settings here:
- The first is to set a password for your account.
- The next allows you to specify if a password is needed to unlock your Mac when it goes to sleep.
- Then disable automatic login, which you should do if you use a mobile Mac.
- Choose to allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac, assuming you have an Apple Watch.
Good passwords should be difficult to remember, and they should also not be written down. Apple provides iCloud Keychain to help you make and remember passwords through a built-in random password generator.
Supposing that you are logging on to your Apple ID, iCloud Keychain will automatically enter any required password for any service or website. It can store all your account details, like settings for email, contacts, calendars, and social networking services, and automatically retrieve and populate them only if you need to log into any of your Macs and iOS devices.
iCloud Keychain is a built-in solution of Apple for both macOS and iOS. It uses a master password (Apple ID) to let you create and store robust passwords and sync them across all your devices. If your devices aren't limited to Apple products, you can select an alternative password manager too.
6. App Download
In the General pane of the Security & Privacy preferences, you can determine which types of apps can launch on your Mac. There are two options:
- App Store
- App Store and authorized developers
Both are good to prevent malicious apps that don't have an Apple developer certificate from downloading and launching.
In most cases, "App Store" is enough: you may not need to get apps elsewhere except the App Store. However, if you indeed need an app that isn't in the App Store and from an authorized developer, you may wish to opt for the second option. With either option, your Mac should be secure.
Please note that a non-authorized developer who downloads an app will bring high risk to your privacy and data. However, you can run an app that doesn't come from an identified developer, but you will have to approve it before running.

7. 2021 Mac Security Software
Mac provides a robust security mechanism; however, the security requirements are different from various use cases. Some third-party software developers also offer lots of supplements to enhance your information security. We list some of them to help you get the right choice for your Mac in case you need extra security protection.
Producer | Name | Area | Free | |
---|
McAfee, LLC.  | Mcafee Total Protection | Antivirus Password VPN Service Internet Security File Security Parental Control
| |  |
| Mcafee Safe Connect VPN | VPN Service
| |  |
| Mcafee Identity Theft Protection | Privacy Security
| |  |
F-Secure Cyber Security Limited  | F-Secure Security | Internet Security Password VPN Service Parental Control
| |  |
| F-Secure Id Protection | Password Privacy Security
| |  |
BitDefender, LLC.  | Bitdefender Security | Internet Security Password VPN Service File Security Parental Control
| |  |
| Bitdefender Premium VPN | VPN Service
| |  |
Nord Inc.  | NordVPN | VPN Service Password
| |  |
| NordPass Password Manager | Password Privacy Security
| |  |
NortonLifeLock Inc.  | Norton 360 AntiVirus | Antivirus Data Backup Internet Security Password Parental Control VPN Service
| |  |
| Norton Secure VPN | VPN Service
| |  |
Webroot Inc.  | Webroot SecureAnywhere | Antivirus Internet Security Password Data Backup
| |  |
| Webroot WiFi Security | VPN Service
| |  |
Kaspersky Lab  | Kaspersky Anti Virus & Security | Antivirus Internet Security Password Data Backup Privacy Security Parental Control
| |  |
| Kaspersky Safe Kids | Parental Control
| |  |
TotalAV Software  | Total Security | Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
| |  |
Avira Operations  | Avira Antivirus Pro | Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
| |  |
Malwarebytes Inc.  | Malwarebytes Security | Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
| |  |
ESET, LLC.  | ESET Smart Security | Antivirus Internet Security Password Data Backup Parental Control
| |  |
K7 Computing Pvt Ltd.  | K7 Antivirus & Secuirty | Antivirus Internet Security Parental Control
| |  |
Avast Software s.r.o.  | AVG AntiVirus for Mac | Antivirus Internet Security
| |  |
Avast Software  | Avast Antivirus & Security | Antivirus Internet Security
| |  |
Sophos Ltd.  | Sophos Home | Antivirus Internet Security
| |  |
Clario Tech Limited  | MacKeeper | Antivirus VPN Service
| |  |
Comodo Security Solutions, Inc.  | Comodo Antivirus | Antivirus Data Backup VPN Service
| |  |
G DATA CyberDefense AG.  | G Data Antivirus Mac | Antivirus
| |  |
Trend Micro Inc.  | Trend Security | Internet Security Password VPN Service Parental Control
| |  |
Aura  | Hotspot Shield | VPN Service Password Privacy Security
| |  |
CyberGhost  | CyberGhost VPN | VPN Service
| |  |
Express VPN International Ltd  | ExpressVPN | VPN Service
| |  |
Surfshark Ltd.  | Surfshark VPN | VPN Service
| |  |
Dashlane Inc.  | Dashlane Password Manager | Password Privacy Security
| |  |
AgileBits, Inc.  | 1Password Password Manager | Password File Security VPN Service
| |  |
Keeper Security, Inc.  | Keeper Password Manager | Password File Security Privacy Security
| |  |
LogMeIn,Inc.  | LastPass Password Manager | Password File Security Privacy Security
| |  |
Bitwarden, Inc.  | Bitwarden Password Manager | Password File Security
| |  |
Siber Systems, Inc.  | RoboForm Password Manager | Password File Security
| |  |
Qustodio LLC.  | Qustodio Family Premium | Parental Control
| |  |
Cisco Systems  | OPENDNS Home/Prosumer | Parental Control
| |  |
Content Watch Holdings, Inc.  | Net Nanny Family Pass | Parental Control
| |  |
Mobicip LLC.  | Mobicip Family | Parental Control
| |  |
Google LLC  | Google Drive | Data Backup
| |  |
Microsoft Corporation  | Microsoft OneDrive | Data Backup
| |  |
Apple Inc.  | Apple iCloud Drive | Data Backup
| |  |
IDrive Inc.  | iDrive | Data Backup
| |  |
Dropbox, Inc.  | Dropbox Individual | Data Backup
| |  |
Acronis International GmbH  | Acronis True Image | Data Backup
| |  |
CHENGDU Yiwo® Tech Development Co., Ltd.  | EaseUS Todo Backup | Data Backup
| |  |
Paragon Technologie GmbH.  | Hard Disk Manager for Mac | Data Backup
| |  |
Western Digital Corporation  | My Cloud Home | Data Backup
| |  |
Piriform Ltd  | CCleaner | File Security Privacy Security
| |  |
Stellar Information Technology Pvt. Ltd  | STELLAR DATA RECOVERY for Mac | File Security
| |  |
8. Free Mac Security Software
Ideally, Mac users shouldn't consider free security software. One reason is MacOS itself already has powerful build-in security features; the more important reason is that your privacy and data are deserved; you pay for them. However, if you aren't familiar with third parties' Mac security software, a free product may be a good start point for you to evaluate how these tools work for your scenarios.
Here we list some popular ones to help you to understand mainstream Mac security software.
8.1 Free Anti-virus for Mac
Feature | Free | Premium | Device |
---|
Antivirus | | | Full list |
Safe web | | | Full list |
Web Protection | | | Full list |
Remote Control | | | Full list |
Anti identity theft | | | Full list |
Realtime anti-phishing | | | Full list |
Feature | Antivirus | Internet Security | Device |
---|
Virus scanner | | | Mac |
Phishing protection | | | Mac |
Secure files | | | Mac |
Safe web | | | Mac |
Anti identity theft | | | Mac |
Feature | Free | Complete | Device | Note |
---|
Defense Technology | | | Full list | |
Antivirus | | | Full list | |
Auto Containment Technology | | | Full list | |
Cloud-based Antivirus | | | Full list | |
Secure Shopping | | | Full list | |
Safe web | | | Full list | |
Encrypted file storage | | | Full list | 50G |
Wi-Fi VPN | | | Full list | 10G |
8.2 Free Privacy VPN for Mac
Mcafee Safe Connect VPN
(1)
Feature | Free | Monthly | Yearly | Device | Note |
---|
Secure VPN | | | | Full list | 250M per month |
Secure VPN | | | | Full list | 5 licenses |
Unlimited data | | | | Full list | |
Feature | Free | Premium | Premium Family | Device | Note |
---|
Secure VPN | | | | Windows Mac iOS Android Chrome | Up to 2 Mbps,500 MB daily |
Secure VPN | | | | Full list | up to 1 Gbps,unlimited traffic |
Streaming access | | | | Full list | |
Virtual locations | | | | Full list | |
Realtime anti-phishing | | | | Full list | |
Password manager | | | | Full list | by 1Password |
Monitor privacy breach | | | | Full list | |
8.3 Free Password Manager for Mac
LastPass Password Manager
(1)
Feature | Free | Premium | Families | Device | Note |
---|
Secure password vault | | | | Full list | |
Auto fill password | | | | Full list | |
Password generator | | | | Full list | |
Share Password | | | | Full list | |
Monitor privacy breach | | | | Full list | |
Secure Note | | | | Full list | |
Digital wallet | | | | Full list | |
Multiple factor authentication | | | | Full list | |
Encrypted file storage | | | | Full list | (1G) |
1Password Password Manager
(2)
Feature | Free | Premium | Family | Team | Device | Note |
---|
Secure password vault | | | | | Full list | |
Auto fill password | | | | | Full list | |
Share Password | | | | | Full list | |
Monitor privacy breach | | | | | Full list | |
Secure Note | | | | | Full list | |
Digital wallet | | | | | Full list | |
Multiple factor authentication | | | | | Full list | |
Encrypted file storage | | | | | Full list | (1G) |
Bitwarden Password Manager
(3)
Feature | Free | Premium | Family | Team | Device | Note |
---|
Secure password vault | | | | | Full list | |
Auto fill password | | | | | Full list | |
Password generator | | | | | Full list | |
Secure Note | | | | | Full list | |
Digital wallet | | | | | Full list | |
Multiple factor authentication | | | | | Full list | |
Share Password | | | | | Full list | |
Encrypted file storage | | | | | Full list | (1G) |