Security How Tos for macOS and iOS
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How-To
Switchers Guide: Moving hardware and software to Mac
One of the hardest things about moving from a Windows PC to a Mac: bringing your old hardware peripherals and software apps with you. Harry McCracken explains how to make that move go smoothly.Creative Notes
Cartoon you: Illustrator’s Live Trace converts your photo into a drawing
Illustrator's Live Trace feature is the subject of our fourth article on how to create your own avatar portrait for social networking Web sites and instant messengers.
MacUser
Super-safe Web browsing
As a security consultant, Rich Mogull has to visit some less-than-safe quarters of the Internet. Here's how he does that without putting himself or his Mac at risk.Mac 911
Eliminating a Word macro virus
Rare though they are these days, Word macro viruses are still around. Here are the steps for dealing with them.Mac 911
No, you’re not infected
You say you've encountered a frightening warning that your computer is infected? That phony Windows Security Alert warning should set off alarms.iOS Central
Inside iPhone 3.0’s Remote Wipe feature
The iPhone 3.0 software's Remote Wipe feature adds a measure of security, but it's not foolproof, and how long it takes depends on the device.Working Mac
Remember your passwords
Want to use secure passwords, but fearful you'll get in a bind if you use ones too complicated to memorize? You'll always be able to access critical passwords if you take these steps.
How-To
Top password tips
If you want to protect private information, you need long, strong, and unique passwords. That means not using the same password for every one of your accounts, but we all know that's easier said than done. In this three-part series, Joe Kissell shows you how to create, manage, and remember good passwords.Working Mac
Manage your passwords
Once you've committed to using strong passwords for every account you have, you have to figure out some way to remember all of them. Password managers provide the easiestu2014and most secureu2014answer.
Working Mac
Create stronger passwords
Passwords protect your credit card, bank account, and personal data. But how many of us rely on the same one (involving a pet's name to boot) for every account we have? Here's how to create long, strong passwords that you'll be able to remember.Mac 911
Securely wipe your hard drive
You say you have a hard drive full of sensitive data that you'd like to see gone, gone gone? Here's how (with bonus ultra-violent erasure technique).How-To
Improve PC Speed and Security
Use file management and deletion software to clean your hard drive, and child-friendly tools to protect your family's privacy.How-To
How to Tame Vista’s User Account Control
In this screencast, senior editor Robert Strohmeyer walks through the steps you'll need to take to tame one of Vista's most annoying features: user account control.How-To
How to secure your home network
A reader writes Macworld, asking about the best way to set up a home network so both Macs and Windows PCs can securely connect to it, without letting any intruders in. Glenn Fleishman explains how.How-To
Fifteen easy fixes for Mac security risks
The Mac OS is a pretty safe platform, but no system is perfect. There are a number of security holes that are common on Mac OS X systems. Computerworld's Ryan Faas shows you how to close them.Mac OS X Hints
Easily copy passwords in Keychain Access
Discover a very simple way to copy passwords out of Keychain Access.Mac 911
Do you need antivirus software?
Despite constant claims that the Mac is immune to computer cooties, some folks remain unconvinced. Do or do you not need antivirus/security software? Here's my take.Mac 911
Norton AntiVirus begone!
Can't seem to shake Norton AntiVirus? Here are instructions for removing the last four versions.Mac 911
Troubleshooting Parental Controls
Is Parental Controls not allowing access to websites and applications you believe it should? Think as it does and you may solve your problems.Mac OS X Hints
Fix an error 51 with the Cisco VPN Client
If you use the Cisco VPN Client, you may have occasionally been hit with an u2018error 51u2019 when trying to launch the program. Learn how to fix that problem without rebooting your Mac.iOS Central
Six essential Apple iPhone security tips
iPhone users who donu2019t think about security run the risk of having their Web mail hacked and losing valuable personal information. CIO.com offers six tips for securing your iPhone.Editors’ Notes
Practice good online password security
Learn how hackers were able to access Governor Palin's Yahoo e-mail account, whether you should be worried about that, and what you can do to minimize the risks of the same thing happening to you.Playlist
The limits of iPod touch/iPhone restrictions
Considering invoking Restrictions on your kid's iPod touch or iPhone? Communication and trust might be more effective parental controls.Editors’ Notes
More ways to protect yourself from phishing scams
Use the OpenDNS service, to give all your browsersu2014including Safariu2014protection from phishing attacks.How-To
The DNS vulnerability: What you should know and do
Appleu2019s security update on July 31st may have patched a widespread DNS flaw on Mac servers, but it hasnu2019t closed the debate on their handling of it, nor the risk to Mac OS X users.How-To
Securing your iPhone 2.0
The iPhone 2.0 software update offers some dramatic improvements in security management, though gaps remain. Glenn Fleishman takes a closer look at iPhone security.How-To
Close the ports
While OS X has long included basic firewall software, Leopard introduced some significant changes to it, leaving many Leopard users confused as to how to keep their Macs secure. But though the firewall interface in Mac OS X 10.5 is indeed quite different from that in earlier versions of the OS, itu2019s still relatively easy to use.How-To
Understanding and using Leopard’s firewall
OS X has long included a basic firewall, but Leopard takes this fundamental security technology in a new and innovative direction. Rich Mogull looks at Leopard's firewall, how the 10.5.1 update changed things, and configuration options.How-To
Easy online backups
You know you should back up your data. But whether it’s the cost, the setup, or the hassle of swapping discs or shuttling around hard drives, most of us find a million excuses not to get the job done. So wouldn’t it be great if you could click on a few buttons and ensure that your data was backed up regularly?How-To
Mac 911 – Dec. 2007
In this month’s edition of Mac 911, Christopher Breen offers tips for hiding iWeb pages, copying Keychains, easy blind carbon copying option for Mail, and dealing with Safari’s regrettable memory.How-To
How to: Discover malware before installing
How can you tell if the program you're downloading is what it claims to be? In light of this week's Trojan Horse outbreak, Rob Griffiths outlines a few simple, non-technical things you can do to check on downloads before you install them.How-To
Fix password glitches
Is password overload getting to you? With banks, e-commerce sites, and discussion forums—not to mention Mac OS X—all requiring logins and passwords, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep a handle on everything.How-To
Mac 911 – Feb. 2007
Christ Breen shows you how to manage iWeb pages from anywhere, keep an eye on kids’ computing, figure out whether .Mac or iLife is better for your pictures, and record conversations on Skype.How-To
Free Agent: Linux Firewalls and Antivirus–Needed or Not?
Linux has a reputation for being virus- and spyware-free, but you might want to add a little insurance.
Macworld Podcast
Protect your data and your privacy
Sure, the Mac is a secure platform. But there are still steps you can take to make sure that all of your data is kept away from prying eyes. Glenn Fleishman talks about ways to protect your privacy when you go online.How-To
Tips for avoiding a Mac disaster
Are programs running on your computer that you don’t know about? Could a mischievous installer have plunked an unknown application in your Login Items list and set it to hide each time it launches at startup? If you’re curious, there are a number of ways to find out.How-To
Kid-proof your Mac
Being a parent can be complicated— and now modern parents have the Internet to worry about, too. Luckily, Tiger’s new parental controls can help.How-To
How to use hotspots
You’d have to be living far, far away from a Starbucks not to know that Wi-Fi hotspots are everywhere these days. But using those hotspots to get online isn’t always easy.How-To
The Keychain’s Hidden Powers
Having your confidential information fall into the wrong hands is no joke. But if you exploit the full powers of OS X’s Keychain, your secrets will remain just that—secret.How-To
Windows Tips: For Security Reasons, It Pays to Know Your File Extensions
Spot hazardous files by learning about extensions.How-To
Mac 911
Do you rue the range of your Graphite Base Station, seek softer cell-phone ring tones, find PC viruses vexing, or loathe the limitations of your iTunes music library? There's no need to feel hemmed in by transitory travails when help is at hand. This month's Mac 911 gives you a beneficial boost over each of these barriers.How-To