macOS privacy and security settings: Relaxed level

Learn how to change your privacy and security settings on macOS. These steps adjust your privacy and security settings to Relaxed level protection.
Kaspersky Lab
29.06.2021
5 minutes
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How to protect your Mac

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Create a strong Mac password

What for: So you do not get hacked.

If you use a short or easy-to-guess password, hackers will be able to crack it and gain access to your computer. A long and complex password is more secure. A strong password complies with the following policies:

  • Is at least 8 characters long;
  • Contains lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters ($, @, etc.);
  • Is not an actual word or easy-to-guess phrase;
  • Is not the same as for any other account, including your Apple ID login credentials;
  • Does not consist of information that strangers could easily find out (your name, date of birth, pet's name, and so forth — or those of your friends or relatives).

To change your current password:

  1. Open the Apple menu by clicking the Apple emblem in the upper-left corner;
  2. In the drop-down list, choose System Preferences;
  3. Go to the Users & Groups section.
  4. If you enabled protection, press the padlock icon in the lower left corner, enter the administrator password, and click Unlock;
  5. Press Change Password button;
  6. In the window that opens, enter the current password and then enter the new one. If necessary, create a hint in case you forget the password.
  7. Press Change Password button.

Configure automatic locking

What for: To prevent strangers from gaining access to your Apple device while you are away.

If you are not using the computer for a certain amount of time, macOS can lock it. In this case, the screen will show a login window and you will have to enter your password again to continue working on the computer. The sooner the computer is locked, the less chance that someone else will be able to use it.

To configure the time to wait before locking the computer:

  1. Open the Apple menu by clicking the Apple emblem in the upper-left corner;
  2. In the drop-down list, choose System Preferences;
  3. Go to the Security & Privacy settings;
  4. Select the General tab;
  5. If you enabled protection, press the padlock icon in the lower left corner, enter the administrator password, and click Unlock;
  6. Click Advanced... in the lower right corner;
  7. In the window that opens, check the box on the left of Log out after … minutes of inactivity and set the required time interval.
  8. Click OK.

You can also configure Mac to lock when it goes to sleep:

  1. Open the Apple menu by clicking the Apple emblem in the upper-left corner;
  2. In the drop-down list, choose System Preferences;
  3. Go to the Security & Privacy settings;
  4. Select the General tab;
  5. If you enabled protection, press the padlock icon in the lower left corner, enter the administrator password, and click Unlock;
  6. Check the box next to Require password … after sleep or screen saver begins and choose the amount of time after the computer goes to sleep when the application should start requiring a password.

If you set an interval that is too large and leave your computer unattended, other people will be able to use it.

Enable protection against modification of your macOS system preferences

What for: So that no one can change important settings on your computer.

If you are sharing your computer with someone else, you can disable other users capability to change macOS configuration and security settings:

  1. Open the Apple menu by clicking the Apple emblem in the upper-left corner;
  2. In the drop-down list, choose System Preferences;
  3. Go to the Security & Privacy settings;
  4. Select the General tab;
  5. If you enabled protection, press the padlock icon in the lower left corner, enter the administrator password, and click Unlock;
  6. Click Advanced... in the lower right corner;
  7. In the window that opens, check the box on the left of Require an administrator password to unlock each System Preferences pane;
  8. Click OK.

Turn on the Find My Mac feature

What for: To find your computer or erase its data in case it is lost or stolen.

The Find My Mac service will help you find your computer in case it is lost. You can use it to not only determine the location of your Mac and turn on its alarm, but also to remotely lock it or wipe its local memory. This will protect your data from prying eyes if your MacBook was stolen.

All Apple devices support this feature even without Internet access and if location services are turned off. In this case, MacBook sends a signal over Bluetooth that other nearby Apple devices receive. After receiving this signal, these devices send their location to Apple and the company forwards this data to your account. Using this feature, you will be able to see the approximate location of your computer in the Find My app.

To enable the Find My Mac feature:

  1. Open the Apple menu by clicking the Apple emblem in the upper-left corner;
  2. In the drop-down list, choose System Preferences;
  3. Press the Apple ID button in the upper-right corner;
  4. Select the iCloud tab;
  5. Check the box next to Find My Mac;
  6. In the window that opens, click Allow;
  7. Press the Options... button;
  8. Make sure that the Find My Network function is enabled.

If you don't want to rely on unfamiliar Apple gadgets, grant Find My Mac access to your location:

  1. Open the Apple menu by clicking the Apple emblem in the upper-left corner;
  2. In the drop-down list, choose System Preferences;
  3. Go to the Security & Privacy settings;
  4. Select the Privacy tab;
  5. If you enabled protection, press the padlock icon in the lower left corner, enter the administrator password, and click Unlock;
  6. Select Location Services;
  7. Check the Enable Location Services box.
  8. Find System Services at the end of the list and click Details...;
  9. In the window that opens, check the box next to Find My Mac;
  10. Click Done.

Then you can find, lock, or wipe a lost or stolen computer by using the built-in Find My app on any other Apple device or at iCloud.com.

Activation Lock is also enabled when the Find My Mac service is turned on. This feature prevents someone from logging in to your computer's macOS with a different Apple ID, turning off the Find My Mac feature, or wiping the memory without Apple ID password confirmation. That means if your computer ends up in someone else's hands, they will not be able to use it or sell it (except maybe for spare parts), as well as to disable search and lock functions.

Please keep in mind that your Apple ID account credentials are also deleted along with the files when Mac drive is formatted, so in this case you will not be able to see the location of your computer. Therefore, use this option in extreme cases only.

However, when the lock is enabled, your Apple ID credentials are saved on Apple servers linked to your computer ID. So, even after you erase all the data you will be able to unlock your lost and found Mac if you enter your Apple ID credentials on it.

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How to protect your Apple ID

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Create a strong password

What for: To prevent your data and Apple devices from being hacked.

An Apple ID account lets you synchronize music, photos, contacts, browser history, and other data on different devices. If your account is hacked, criminals will gain access to all of that data. Once they have access to your Apple ID, they can also remotely lock your Mac or format your hard drive.

Make sure that your account is protected by a strong password that complies with the following policies:

  • Is at least 8 characters long;
  • Contains lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters ($, @, etc.);
  • Is not an actual word or easy-to-guess phrase;
  • Is not the same as your passwords for any other accounts;
  • Does not consist of information that strangers could easily find out (your name, date of birth, pet's name, and so forth — or those of your friends or relatives).

To change your Apple ID password on a Mac computer:

  1. Open the Apple menu by clicking the Apple emblem in the upper-left corner;
  2. In the drop-down list, choose System Preferences;
  3. Press the Apple ID button in the upper-right corner;
  4. Select the Password & Security tab;
  5. Press Change password... button
  6. Enter the current password of your Apple ID account;
  7. Create a new password and confirm it;
  8. Click Change.

You can also change or reset your Apple ID password on the Apple website.

Enable two-factor authentication

What for: So you definitely don't get hacked.

macOS devices support two-factor authentication. It helps provide additional security for your Apple ID. If you enable it, the system will prompt you for a one-time code each time you attempt to sign in from a new Apple device. It will also show a notification on all gadgets on which you are authorized.

  1. Open the Apple menu by clicking the Apple emblem in the upper-left corner;
  2. In the drop-down list, choose System Preferences;
  3. Press the Apple ID button in the upper-right corner;
  4. Select the Password & Security tab;
  5. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication;
  6. In the window that opens, click Continue;
  7. Enter your phone number and choose how you want to receive the code: Text message or Phone call;
  8. Click Continue;
  9. In the window that opens, enter the verification code that you received on your phone, and click Continue;
  10. Click Done.


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Main / macOS privacy and security settings: Relaxed level
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