Security How Tos for macOS and iOS
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Mac 911
How to avoid password-prompted phishing scams in iOS
An open-source development project founder shows proofs of concept of how malicious parties can make you think theyu2019re Apple.
Mac 911
What to do when ransomware strikes your Mac
Scammers are using purloined iCloud credentials to lock Macs with a message demanding payment.
How-To
Warning: ‘Your Apple ID is due to expire today’ is a phishing scam
Have you ever received the 'Your Apple ID has expired' text? Don't be fooled by this phishing attempt to steal your personal data
Mac 911
How to unlock an iOS device when you’ve forgotten your password or changed your account
A reader is confronted with Activation Lock.
Mac 911
Why Apple shows a strange location for a two-factor login confirmation
When you get a login alert using Apple's 2FA, sometimes the location shown is nowhere near you.
Updated
Apple’s two-step verification goes away with iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra
Two-step is now going away, replaced by two-factor authentication. And you don't have to do anything about it except pay attention.
Mac 911
How to stop spam emails from reaching your inbox
Spam emails can be controlled if you follow these tips. You'll soon have an inbox with the clutter under control.
Mac 911
Can ransomware hijack Mac backups? Yes, but…
There are ways to protect your backups from rare ransomware attacks.
Mac 911
Why continuous backups on your Mac are a good idea
A reader would like to backup files only manually due to performance
Mac 911
How to use two-factor authentication for your Apple account without using an Apple device
You need a Mac to set up 2FA, but after that, you shouldn't need an Apple device anymore.Mac 911
How to update to two-factor authentication for an iTunes-only Apple ID
Apple caused a quandary with its improved security method for those of us who use it only for purchases.
How-To
How to protect your privacy online on Mac
We offer simple but comprehensive advice on protecting your privacy online when using a MacPrivate i
How to use HTTPS to improve web security
Web security is often seen as something that only large companies can have an impact on. You can help, too.
Mac 911
Can Windows be used with Apple’s two-factor authentication?
No. But you can use phone numbers.Mac 911
Want to recover a FileVault-encrypted drive without a recovery key? You’re out of luck
One of the downsides of protecting your data from others is how easy it is to lose it all.
Mac 911
How to fix a persistent iCloud approval request on your iPhone
What to do when Apple keeps pestering you with a request for a security approval and there doesn't seem to be a way to grant it or deny it.Mac 911
What you can do if you forget your password on a FileVault-protected Mac
You can recover a lost FileVault password or erase a FileVault drive, losing everything but regaining the ability to use the system.Mac 911
How to encrypt a bootable clone in macOS
A reader wants to protect the bootable clone he makes of his startup volume just as effectively.
How-To
Protect Apple ID: two-factor authentication vs two-step verification
Two-factor authentication or two-step verification? Here's all you need to know about beefing up your Apple ID security
Tip
How to recover an iCloud security code after you’ve been locked out
If you enter the wrong iCloud security code too many times, you'll get locked out. Hereu2019s how to reset it.Mac 911
iCloud Keychain syncs accounts between macOS and iOS, but Firefox?
A reader wisely changed his Yahoo password on his Mac weeks ago, but wondered why it updated on his iOS devices, too.
How-To
How to stop iMessage spam | Block & report iMessage spam
Spam iMessage texts are a growing problem for iPhone and iPad users. Here's how to block and report unwanted messages
How-To
How to stop photo hacks on iPhone
Worried about iPhone photo hacks and iCloud photo leaks? Here's how to lock down your iPhone from celebrity-style leaks and keep your pictures safe and securePrivate i
Standards agency recommends smart password policies, for security and your own sanity
You know how annoying those password dialogs are that tell you your password stinks? The government agrees.Mac 911
How to fix two-factor authentication problems with apps that don’t use iCloud
If youu2019re new to 2FA, remember you can still use non-Apple services for contacts and calendars, and for email.
Mac 911
If you upgrade to two-factor authentication, you can’t log in to your Mac with an iCloud password
Apple slipped in a change in April 2016 thatu2019s affecting people who change the protection on their Apple ID accounts.
Have Gear, Will Travel
Travelers: Keep your data secure by using a virtual private network
After using my favorite VPN, you wonu2019t be able to bear living without it.
Working Mac
How to set up macOS Server’s VPN service
If you have Appleu2019s Server app, you have access to an excellent VPN server thatu2019s simple to set up and easy to use.
Mac 911
How far back Time Machine archives can migrate to new versions
A reader wants to know whether a Snow Leopard Time Machine backup can migrate to a new OS X installation.
Mac 911
Tune up your two-step Recovery Key
An acquaintance recently lost access permanently to his Apple ID, but you can take action to prevent that.
How-To
How to fix FaceTime audio bug
A FaceTime bug allows audio to be monitored after FaceTime calls are ‘ended’. Here's what to do.Mac 911
How to erase a Mac that seems to lack erasure options
A reader wants to wipe her Mac before getting rid of it, but she doesn't see a clear way to do so.
How-To
How to turn off Rootless (SIP, or System Integrity Protection) in OS X
System Integrity Protection (rootless) is a Mac security feature that stops you changing root-level files, and it can stop some programs working. Here's how to disable it
How-To
How to authorise your computer in iTunes
To play your iTunes Store purchases, you may need to authorise your Mac or PC firstMac 911
Should two-factor authentication let me verify via a single device?
A reader wonders if something's wrong, because Apple's second-factor system lets him approve a connection from a seemingly odd place.Private i
Lock down your Mac, iPhone, and online accounts if you expect trouble ahead
You can take steps ahead of time to protect your social media, banking, email, and other accounts if you fear intrusion or retribution.Private i
Tune up (or tear down) your social networks’ app permissions
Pop quiz: Do you know to how many apps and websites you've given permission to use your Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and others? Time to check.
How-To
How to avoid the 1970 iPhone bug, and what to do if you get it
A date bug is bricking iPhones and iPads – here's how to avoid the dreaded 1970 iPhone bug (and what to do if you get it anyway)How-To
Use Timed Access Control to restrict when devices can connect to your Apple base station Wi-Fi
Your AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule can block certain devices at certain times of day, based on the device's MAC address. Here's how to set it up.Mac 911
How to migrate browser-stored passwords to a password app
Having heard a lot about transitioning to a password-storing app, a reader wonders about the ease of shifting already-set passwords.
How-To
How to remove dodgy Mac antivirus software
OS X antivirus software isn't as easy to remove as other programs. Here's how to remove antivirus from your MacTip
How to uninstall Flash Player from your Mac
It seems we hear about new Flash exploits every week. To really stay protected, consider ditching Flash altogether.How-To
How to modify System Integrity Protection in El Capitan
Some software you may know and lean on won't work in El Capitan due to a new security feature that locks down system files and directories. Here's how to modify that.Private i
Take secure steps in upgrading to iOS 9
Here's what you need to know about security when you're updating your iPhone and iPad.iOS Basics
How to track down a lost iPhone
Weu2019ll step you through setting up and using Find My iPhone, and what to do if your phone ever does go missing. Prepare for this tech nightmare now before it happens to you.Working Mac
How to use a VPN to keep your network data safe
If you're using a public wi-Fi hotspot, it's a good idea to protect yourself by using a virtual private network.Working Mac
Little Snitch keeps an eye on your Mac’s Internet connections
Firewalls are good for blocking inbound network traffic, but what about your Mac's outbound traffic? Little Snitch keeps an eye out for you.
Mac 911
Mac 911: A potpourri of OS X questions
This week, we answer questions about bookmark sync failure, managing Top Sites in Safari, dysfunction keys, and ransomware.Working Mac