So we have covered all the scary security issues. And I am sure everyone went out and either bought or upgraded their crappy firewall. So now that some bored 13 year old kid cant hack your network, let's cover three simple things you can do today to secure your computers and data:
1) Strong Password. I can't tell you how many people use the worst possible passwords to "protect" their computers and networks. Seriously, if I were to guess, probably half of consumers use the default password that came with their firewall or wireless access point. Worse, many people do not protect their Mac (or PC) with a password, meaning that anyone can do anything to that computer if they had either physical or remote access. So if you have not done so already, go into your Accounts preference and enter a password for your account, especially administrator accounts. Please.
And while you are at it, pick something good. Using your birthday or first name or "love" simply is like not having a password at all. I suggest something with at least 7 characters and using numbers as well as letters. I like to use familiar words or names that I remember easily and then misspell them slightly, adding in a 0 for an O or a 3 for an E. You get it. Some people like to use movie quotes. Just please pick something strong.
2) Screen Saver. Set your screen saver to come on at a certain point. The more paranoid you are, the shorter the interval. But then, in the Security preference, set the screen saver to require a password to wake from sleep or screen saver. This ensures that if you walk away from your computer and someone steals it or decides to use it, only authorized people can get into it. Very effective.
3) File Vault. Apple has a built in technology called File Vault, which can encrypt your entire home folder. In the event your machine is compromised, only someone with the master password will have access, even if they know how to get around the normal passwords (pretty easy). File Vault is very effective but as with all security issues, the greater security you want, the more you give up. Because it encrypts and decrypts data on the fly, it requires more system resources and results in a slower environment than without it. Its worth it to protect important data but do not ever lose or forget your master password; the encryption is so strong you will lose forever what is on there without it.
These are only a few of the methods you can use and only helpful if you use them correctly. Other options are to password protect your Open Firmware, requiring a password to even reboot the OS, physical locking mechanisms and services like what we provide that can, in many cases, remotely erase a computer that has been stolen or otherwise compromised.
Interested in more? Let me know in the comments! Be safe!
Geof Bowie
www.thinkfixed.com
twitter.com/geofbowie