Data Security Apps on Mac

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 must still handle your Mac's security settings correctly to protect your privacy 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.



If the software has flaws, your Mac will be at high risk, especially if a defect is reported publicly. So you should update the software regularly. In addition to macOS, don't forget to update all apps installed on your Mac, which are as crucial as MacOS to keep your privacy safe.

In the Software Update preference pane, click Advanced to see settings related to software updates. It lets you check the 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 time, 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.

FileVault is Apple's full-disk encryption feature. If you activate FileVault, your files will be encrypted. If your Mac is stolen or lost, no one can decrypt them unless you know your password. Did you hear stories about someone losing a computer and then losing secrets afterward? If you have a Mac and turn on FileVault, you will never be in such a horrible story.

When the feature first came, it slowed down performance slightly, which is no longer a big concern. To decrypt files, type in your account password or the recovery key created when you switched FileVault on. Besides, you sometimes need to type in a password to open a file. The inconvenience may outweigh the security advantages for some users who don't care about data leaking.

However, if the Mac is for your business or has critical personal data, you should turn on FileVault as follows. FileVault is turned on, and 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.



Backing up your data is like an insurance policy. Usually, no one wants to get payment from an insurance policy, but it helps very much just in case. If your data isn't in good shape, either by yourself in an accident or by cybercriminals intentionally, the backup will help you out.

Mac offers a comfortable and valuable backup tool called a fancy name: Time Machine. The Time Machine needs extra storage for backup contents: an external hard drive or a network volume. Time Machine automatically backs up your Mac every hour as long as your settings are done. It's a handy built-in tool to keep your data safe.



The macOS has a built-in firewall feature, blocking 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 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 to 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 malware has run on 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, install third-party apps or tools.

You should know the importance of having a secure password, which is the key to 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 and that you can remember it. There are many tips about creating a secure password, which isn't only for Mac's 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, turn off 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 complex 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 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 also select an alternative password manager.

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 for preventing malicious apps that don't have an Apple developer certificate from downloading and launching.

"App Store" is enough in most cases: you may not need to get apps elsewhere except the App Store. However, if you 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 a high risk to your privacy and data. However, you can run an app that doesn't come from an identified developer, but you must approve it before running.



Mac provides a robust security mechanism; however, the security requirements are different from various use cases. Some third-party software developers also offer many supplements to enhance your information security. We list some of them to help you get the right choice for your Mac if you need extra security protection.

Producer	Name	Area	Free
BitDefender, LLC.	Bitdefender Premium Security	Internet Security Password VPN Service File Security Parental Control
	Bitdefender Antivirus Plus	Antivirus Password Privacy Security File Security
	Bitdefender Premium VPN	VPN Service
McAfee, LLC.	Mcafee Total Protection	Antivirus Password VPN Service Internet Security File Security Parental Control
	Mcafee Identity Protection - Individual	Privacy Security VPN Service
	Mcafee Connect VPN	VPN Service
F-Secure Cyber Security Limited	F-Secure SAFE/TOTAL	Internet Security Password VPN Service Parental Control
	F-Secure Id Protection	Password Privacy Security
Nord Inc.	NordPass Password Manager	Password Privacy Security
	NordVPN	VPN Service
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
Avast Software	Avast One	Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
Malwarebytes Inc.	Malwarebytes Security	Antivirus Internet Security VPN Service
ESET, LLC.	Smart Secuirty	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)	AVG Ultimate	Antivirus Internet Security File Security VPN Service
Avira Operations	Avira PRIME	Antivirus Internet Security File Security VPN Service
Sophos Ltd.	Sophos Home	Antivirus Internet Security
Mac Keeper - Clario Tech	MacKeeper	Antivirus VPN Service
G DATA CyberDefense AG.	G Data Antivirus Mac	Antivirus
Trend Micro Inc.	Trend Internet Security	Internet Security Password VPN Service Parental Control
Aura	Hotspot Shield	VPN Service Password Antivirus Privacy Security
CyberGhost	CyberGhost VPN	VPN Service
Express VPN International Ltd	ExpressVPN	VPN Service
Surfshark Ltd.	Surfshark Starter - VPN	VPN Service
Keeper Security, Inc.	Keeper Password Manager	Password File Security Privacy Security
LogMeIn,Inc.	LastPass Password Manager	Password File Security Privacy Security
AgileBits, Inc.	1Password Password Manager	Password File Security
Bitwarden, Inc.	Bitwarden Password Manager	Password File Security
Siber Systems, Inc.	RoboForm Password Manager	Password File Security
Dashlane Inc.	Dashlane Password Manager	Password
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 Parental Control	Parental Control
Acronis International GmbH	Acronis True Cyber Protection	Data Backup File Security
Google LLC	Google One	Data Backup
Microsoft Corporation	Microsoft OneDrive	Data Backup
Apple Inc.	Apple iCloud Drive	Data Backup
IDrive Inc.	iDrive	Data Backup
Dropbox, Inc.	Dropbox Basic/Plus/Family	Data Backup
Paragon Technologie GmbH.	Hard Disk Manager for Mac	Data Backup
Bombich Software, Inc.	Carbon Copy Cloner	Data Backup
Econ Technologies, Inc.	ChronoSync	Data Backup
Koingo Software, Inc.	Data Guardian 7	File Security Password Privacy Security
AxCrypt Inc.	AxCrypt Encrypt Premium	File Security Password
Skymatic Inc.	Cryptomator Encrypt	File Security Data Backup
Piriform Ltd	CCleaner	File Security Privacy Security
Stellar Information Technology Pvt. Ltd	STELLAR DATA RECOVERY for Mac	File Security
Prosoft Engineering, Inc.	Data Rescue 6	File Security
Defiant Technologies, LLC.	DiskDigger	File Security
MacPaw Inc.	Encrypto	File Security
KLDiscovery Ontrack, LLC	Ontrack EasyRecovery	File Security
iMobie Inc.	MacClean 3	File Security

Test Item	Industry Average	Test Result
Protection & Performance
Detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 months	100%	100%
Slower download of frequently-used applications	1%	0%
Slower launch of standard software applications	2%	2%
Slower installation of frequently-used applications	13%	5%
Slower copying of files, locally and in a network	2%	2%
Usability
False detections of legitimate software as malware during a system scan	0	0
False warnings concerning certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0
False blockages of certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0

Test Item	Industry Average	Test Result
Protection & Performance
Detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 months	100%	100%
Slower download of frequently-used applications	1%	0%
Slower launch of standard software applications	2%	1%
Slower installation of frequently-used applications	13%	4%
Slower copying of files, locally and in a network	2%	2%
Usability
False detections of legitimate software as malware during a system scan	0	0
False warnings concerning certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0
False blockages of certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0

Test Item	Industry Average	Test Result
Protection & Performance
Detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 months	100%	99.8%
Slower download of frequently-used applications	1%	1%
Slower launch of standard software applications	2%	2%
Slower installation of frequently-used applications	13%	5%
Slower copying of files, locally and in a network	2%	3%
Usability
False detections of legitimate software as malware during a system scan	0	0
False warnings concerning certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0
False blockages of certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0

Test Item	Industry Average	Test Result
Protection & Performance
Detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 months	100%	100%
Slower download of frequently-used applications	1%	1%
Slower launch of standard software applications	2%	1%
Slower installation of frequently-used applications	13%	28%
Slower copying of files, locally and in a network	2%	3%
Usability
False detections of legitimate software as malware during a system scan	0	0
False warnings concerning certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0
False blockages of certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0

Test Item	Industry Average	Test Result
Protection & Performance
Detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 months	100%	100%
Slower download of frequently-used applications	1%	0%
Slower launch of standard software applications	2%	2%
Slower installation of frequently-used applications	13%	23%
Slower copying of files, locally and in a network	2%	2%
Usability
False detections of legitimate software as malware during a system scan	0	0
False warnings concerning certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0
False blockages of certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0

Test Item	Industry Average	Test Result
Protection & Performance
Detection of widespread and prevalent malware discovered in the last 4 months	100%	100%
Slower download of frequently-used applications	1%	1%
Slower launch of standard software applications	2%	2%
Slower installation of frequently-used applications	13%	4%
Slower copying of files, locally and in a network	2%	0%
Usability
False detections of legitimate software as malware during a system scan	0	0
False warnings concerning certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0
False blockages of certain actions carried out whilst installing and using legitimate software	0	0

Ideally, Mac users shouldn't consider free security software. One reason is that MacOS already has powerful built-in security features; the more important reason is that your privacy and data deserve you to pay for them. However, if you aren't familiar with third-party Mac security software, a free product may be a good starting point for evaluating how these tools work for your scenarios.

Here, we list some popular ones to help you understand mainstream Mac security software.