How to protect Mac against Web Threats

Update macOS and Applications installed on your Mac

Always keep your MacOS and installed applications updated to prevent malware infection from the Internet on your Mac:

1. Open System Preferences:
   • On the upper-right corner, click the Apple icon, and then click System Preferences....

     

   • From the dock, click the System Preferences icon.

     

2. Click on the App Store icon. A new window will appear.

   

3. Tick the box for Automatically check the updates. Check if each of the following boxes is ticked:
   • Download newly available updates in the background
   • Install app updates
   • Install macOS updates
   • Install system data files and security updates

   

   If you are unable to make changes to the program, click the icon on the lower left to unlock the settings.

Enable FileVault on your Mac

FileVault encrypts the hard disk on your Mac which you can only access the files inside your hard disk:

1. Open System Preferences, and then select Security & Privacy.

   

2. Select File Vault, and then click Turn On FireVault... to enable it.

   

   If you are unable to make changes to the program, click the icon on the lower left to unlock the settings.

Enable Firewall

Firewall blocks unwanted incoming network connections.

1. Open System Preferences, and then select Security & Privacy.

   

2. Select Firewall, and then check if the Firewall is enabled.
   If not, click Turn On Firewall... to enable it.

   

   If the indicator on the left side is color green and says "Firewall: On"; the Firewall is enabled already.

Check App download preferences

Learn how to check app download preferences to ensure no malware interferes with your Internet.

1. Open System Preferences, and then select Security & Privacy.

   

2. Select General, and then select one option under Allow apps downloaded from:. Choose either of the following:
   • App Store - strictly allow installing applications from the App Store only.
   • App Store and identified developers - allow installing applications outside the App Store.

   

   If you are unable to make changes to the program, click the icon on the lower left to unlock the settings.

Familiarize your browser's security features

Check the privacy and security settings of your web browser's for your protection when browsing online.

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Check Security and Privacy Settings in Apple Safari

1. Open Safari.
2. On the upper-left corner, click Safari, and then select Preferences.

   

3. Choose among the following below to familiarize the Safari's security features:
   • Security

     

   • Privacy

     

   • Websites

     

Check Security and Privacy Settings in Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. On the upper-left corner, click Chrome, and then select Preferences.

   

3. A new window will appear, and then scroll down and click Advanced.

   

4. Be familiarize with the options under Privacy and security.

   

Check Security and Privacy Settings in Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. On the upper-left corner, click Firefox, and then select Preferences.

   

3. A new window will appear and on the right-side, select Privacy & Security and be familiarize with the security settings for Firefox.

   

Check if the images and links are safe in emails

1. Hover your mouse above the image or the link.

   

2. Check on the bottom section of your web browser to to see the exact link where it will open.

   

   If the website link is different or unrelated, unfamiliar to the current page, it is recommended not to access it to prevent visiting malicious links.

   Be cautious with website links with long and random characters.

Check if the file attachments are safe in emails

1. Check the sender of the email and do not click or open the attachment.
2. If you know the sender, examine if there is something suspicious in the email received.

   

   If you received an email about having an issue or problem on your subscription and you know that you do not have any, do not open any attachments such as a receipt, proof of purchase or any file that you are requested to download. The email you received might be a Phishing Email that may cause malware infection on your computer.

Protecting your Mac from web threats is easy when you use Antivirus One. It uses a powerful feature called Web Threat Protection where it warns and prevents you from visiting phishing websites. It also flags each search result to let you know if the site is safe to visit.

To enable the Web Threat Protection feature of Antivirus One, follow the steps below:

1. Open your Antivirus One:
   • On the upper-right corner of your screen, near the sound controls and the system clock, click the Antivirus One icon on the Menu bar.

     

   • Launch your Antivirus One from your Launchpad.

     

2. Click the Web tab, then click the Enable button. The Safari window will open.

   

3. The Safari Preferences window will also open. Under the Extensions tab, tick the box of Antivirus One.

   

   The Antivirus One Toolbar will now appear on your Safari.