Change Security Preferences on Mac (System Settings Guide)

author avatarIvelin Krastev Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

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Understanding and managing security settings on your Mac can help protect your data, personal information, and online privacy.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the essential steps to change security preferences on your Mac, including managing app permissions, enabling advanced security features, and configuring vital settings in optimal protection.

Let’s explore how to keep your device safe and secure.

This Article Contains:

How to change security preferences on Mac for unidentified app developers

By default, your Mac restricts applications from unidentified developers to prevent potential threats. You can control which apps can run:

  1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS Versions)
  2. Go to Privacy & Security.
  3. Under the Security section, find Allow applications downloaded from and select App Store or App Store and identified developers.
security settings identified developer radio button

Choosing only apps from identified app developers or the Mac App Store minimizes the risk of malware on your device.

Prevent apps from accessing your location, contacts, photos, calendar, and reminders

To protect your sensitive data from unauthorized access, macOS provides easy-to-use preferences for managing which apps can access your personal information, including location, contacts, photos, calendar, and reminders.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to adjusting these permissions:

  1. Open System Settings.
  2. In the sidebar, select Privacy & Security.
  3. Select the category you want to modify, such as Location Services, Contacts, Photos, Calendar, and Reminders.
    • Location Services: Uncheck the box next to Enable Location Services to turn off location tracking entirely. Alternatively, scroll through the list of apps and uncheck boxes next to individual apps to restrict their location access. You can also click Details under System Services to view and control which system features use your location.
    • Contacts, Calendar, and Photos: For each category, you’ll see a list of apps that have requested access to your data. Uncheck the box next to any app to remove its access.
location services in system preferences

By limiting app access to sensitive data, you safeguard your privacy and help prevent unauthorized use of your location, contacts, and calendar data.

Adjusting these settings allows you to keep personal information private and control who can access it.

Note: Some apps may ask for access to data categories when you install them. It's a good practice to periodically review these settings to ensure only trusted apps have access.

Prevent apps from accessing your camera or microphone

Controlling which apps can access your camera and microphone is essential for maintaining your privacy on a Mac.

By adjusting these permissions, you can ensure that only trusted apps have access to your device’s audio and video features.

Here’s how to manage these settings:

  1. Open System Settings (System Preferences on older macOS versions).
  2. Go to Privacy & Security.
  3. Locate Camera or Microphone. Click on the one you wish to adjust.
  4. You’ll see a list of apps that have requested access to your camera or microphone. Toggle each app’s permission on or off based on your preferences.
    • On allows the app to access the feature.
    • Off restricts the app’s access.
apps that requested microphone access in system preferences

Stop apps from accessing your Desktop and Documents folders

By default, macOS requires apps to request permission before accessing your Desktop and Documents folders.

You can easily manage these permissions and prevent apps from accessing these folders if needed. Here’s how:

  1. Navigate to System Settings > Privacy & Security.
  2. Scroll down to find Files and Folders. Click on it to view a list of apps that have requested access to your Desktop, Documents, or other folders.
  3. Find the app you want to restrict and uncheck the box next to a folder to remove access.
files and folders in system settings

Data protection preferences on Mac

Turn on FileVault for full-disk encryption

Encrypting your data with FileVault ensures that unauthorized users cannot access your files. To enable FileVault:

  1. Go to System Settings (System Preferences)
  2. Click Privacy & Security.
  3. Click Turn On FileVault to encrypt your files.
  4. Create a recovery key to unlock your startup disk if you forget your login password.
filevault settings

Store the recovery key in a secure location. With FileVault activated, you have encrypted data that is secure.

Turn on Firewall for network protection

Enable the firewall to block incoming connections and protect your Mac from external threats:

  1. Open System Settings > Network > Firewall tab.
  2. Click Turn On Firewall.
  3. To restrict connections further, select Firewall Options and allow only specific apps.
firewall security settings

With the firewall activated, incoming connections are limited to enhance security, making it harder for unapproved apps to connect to your device.

Adjust Lock Screen settings

Customizing your Mac’s lock screen preferences can improve security by requiring a password after periods of inactivity and helping to protect your data. Follow these steps to manage lock screen settings on your Mac:

  1. Go to the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
  2. Choose Lock Screen from the sidebar.
  3. Under Start screen saver when inactive, select a time limit that suits your security needs. For example, setting it to 10 minutes will initiate the screen saver after 10 minutes of inactivity.
  4. Next, locate Turn display off when inactive and choose an interval. A 10-minute setting is recommended to both conserve energy and protect your Mac when it’s idle.
  5. To ensure that your Mac prompts for a password when it wakes, select Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off and choose a short interval (e.g., 5 minutes). This adds a layer of protection to your device. It will automatically log out after a brief period of inactivity.
lock display settings

By customizing these settings, you can ensure that your Mac remains protected during idle times, reducing the risk of unauthorized access while saving battery power when not in use.

Require administrator password for system changes

Setting your Mac computer to require an administrator password for significant changes can help protect against unauthorized access and prevent malware from making system-wide modifications.

To enable this setting:

  1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Click Privacy & Security from the sidebar.
  3. Scroll down to find the advanced settings button.
  4. Check the box next to Require an administrator password to access system-wide settings.
  5. Click Done to save your preferences.
admin password setting

With this option enabled, you ensure that major changes on your Mac require an administrative password, strengthening overall security and preventing unauthorized modifications.

Best practices for maximum security

Use SpyHunter for enhanced protection

Adding SpyHunter for Mac to your security toolkit provides an extra layer of defense against malware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs.

SpyHunter scans for potential threats in real-time, making it an effective solution for keeping your Mac safe from malicious software.

To get started:

  • Download SpyHunter and follow the installation instructions.
  • Open SpyHunter and select Scan Now to run a comprehensive scan.
  • Review any detected threats.
  • Quarantine or remove unwanted files, ensuring your Mac stays secure.
remove malware, trojans, and other threats with spyhunter

Turn on automatic updates

Auto updates ensure your Mac computer receives the latest security patches and software enhancements, helping protect both your device and personal data.

To enable auto-updates:

  1. Navigate to System Settings.
  2. Click General > Software Update.
  3. Click the i icon next to Automatic Updates.
  4. Check the boxes next to:
    • Download new updates when available to download updates without prompting.
    • Install macOS updates to automatically install macOS updates.
    • Install app updates from the App Store to keep Apple App Store apps up to date.
    • Install Security Responses and system files for critical security updates.
  5. Click Done to save your preferences.
automatic update settings

With automatic updates turned on, your Mac computer stays protected with the latest security and performance improvements.

Set up Time Machine backups

Regular backups are essential for protecting your data. Time Machine, macOS’s built-in backup feature, can create backup copies of your files on a physical drive, ensuring you can restore essential data if needed.

To enable Time Machine:

  1. Go to System Settings > Time Machine.
  2. Select Add Backup Disk, then choose an external drive.
  3. Time Machine will automatically begin periodic backups, securing your data against accidental loss.

Turn on Find My Mac

If your Mac is ever lost or stolen, Find My Mac helps you locate and protect it. This feature allows you to track your device, lock it remotely, or even erase data to prevent unauthorized access.

To enable Find My Mac:

  1. Go to System Settings > Apple ID and select iCloud.
  2. Enable Find My Mac and ensure Find My network is also on to improve tracking accuracy.
  3. Use the Find My app on another Apple device or log into your iCloud account to locate your Mac if it goes missing.
turn off find my mac settings

Enable Lockdown Mode

Lockdown Mode is an advanced security feature that restricts certain device functionalities to provide an extra layer of protection against cyber threats.

It’s beneficial if you believe you’re at risk of targeted attacks. By limiting features that may be vulnerable to exploitation, you can receive maximum defense.

To turn on lockdown:

  1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
  2. Go to Privacy & Security and scroll to the Lockdown Mode section.
  3. Click Turn On and follow the on-screen instructions to confirm.
lockdown agreement message

Your Mac will restrict certain apps, websites, and communications features to enhance security.

Create a strong login password

A secure login password is essential for protecting your computer. Set a good password using numbers, letters, and symbols. To set a new password:

  1. Go to System Settings > Users & Groups.
  2. Click the i icon next to your user account.
  3. Next to Password, click Change and follow the instructions.
set user password window
Tip: We strongly recommend not to set a password hint. If you still want to set a hint, think of one that only you would know.

For more tips and detailed recommendations on securely managing your Apple devices, visit the Apple Support page.

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author avatar

Ivelin is a Mac security expert who works hard to keep computers safe. He helps develop SpyHunter for Mac, a tool that fights off new cyber threats. With a lot of experience, Ivelin knows a lot about keeping Macs safe and makes sure people can use their computers without worry.

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