Currently there are more than 100 million users of Mac OS X in the entire world. This number continues to grow rapidly over the last few years. However, Mac OS X malware was also increased, including Trojan such as Mac OS X version of DNSChanger, and attacks on Mac OS X that booming in 2011.
On September 2011, the first version of Mac OS X Trojan Flashback appears, and expanded until March 2012. According to data compiled Kaspersky Lab, almost 700 thousand users are infected until early April, and that number could continue to rise. Although Mac OS X is enough secure system, but still, as users need to take some steps to avoid the attack.
Costin Raiu, Kaspersky Lab Expert gives recommendations about 10 simple tips to improve the security of Mac.
1. Make a non-admin account for daily activities
Default account on your Mac OS X is a user administrator, and author of malware can take advantage of it to infect your computer. For daily activities, Kaspersky recommend you to create non-admin account and log in using an administrator account if there is any need.
To create the account, go to the option "Accounts" in "System Preferences" then make a non-administrator account. Use this account for daily activities like email and browsing. This helps to limit the damage from zero-day threats and drive-by malware attacks.
2. Use browser with sandbox and has a solid track record in fixing security issues in a prompt manner.
Kaspersky recommends Google Chrome, for various reasons, one of them is because Google Chrome is more frequently updated than Apple's Safari browser. In addition to the sandbox, Chrome comes with a sandbox version of Flash Player that provides a significant barrier to malicious websites. Google Chrome also has a stable mechanism updates that eliminates the barrier on fragility security. Make sure that new browser as the primary browser.
3. Remove stand alone Flash Player
Unfortunately Flash Player from Adobe is often become the target of hackers to take over your computer. Old versions of Flash Player is very risky when you are browsing on the internet. To remove Flash, you can use the two options provided by Adobe, for version 10.4 - 10.5 and 10.6 and others.
4. Fix problem on Java
As with Flash Player, Java is also a target of hackers to embed malware in your device.
Kaspersky recommends to remove it from the computer. Unfortunately, Apple does not allow Oracle for update Java for your Mac directly. They do it themselves, usually several months later. This makes the window of exposure on your Mac requires a longer time than PC users.
Java Preferences options found in / Application / Utilities; do not check the box at beside list versions on the General tab.
If you need Java to specific applications, it is important to disable Java on Safari and other browsers. For Safari, go to the Preference> Security> Web Content and uncheck "Enable Java".
5. Run "Software Update" and add directly on device if the update is available.
Recently a lot of attacks on your Mac OS X take advantage of older software or not up to date. Usually, Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader / Acrobat, Java and Oracle, but many other applications that can be abused as well. Office for your Mac 2011 better than security of Office for Mac 2008. If you are still using 2008, Kaspersky recommends to update it to 2011. Whenever you see the Apple "Software Update", make sure you do a repair and reboot the device if necessary.
6. Use password management to tackle phishing attacks.
The good news is that, not like Windows, your Mac has a password management that is installed in the system "Keychain."
If possible, try to create a unique phrase, and strong to source and store them in the keychain rather than having to remember passwords which are easier. Any time cyber criminals attack, they will use the same password on all of your accounts - Gmail, Facebook, eBay, PayPal and others. Therefore, by having a strong password and unique to each source, able to create stronger security for online security.
The other thing is there are lots of advice more complicated like having a separate keychain with 3-5 minutes of time, for an important password. What is the password that important? Such as sources can create financial losses: eBay, PayPal, online banking, and others. If it happens, then you will not lose all your password.
7. Do not enable IPv6, AirPort and Bluetooth when not in use
Turn off the connection when not in use or not needed. It is intended for IPv6, AirPort and Bluetooth that a bug for hackers in the attack. IPv6 is a new communication protocol that can be used on your Mac.
To disable it, you can choose Apple menu> System Preferences and then press the Network. If the Network Preference is locked, click at lock icon and enter your Admin password for make changes. Select your desired service network with IPv6, such as Ethernet or AirPort. Click Advanced and click TCP / IP. Click on Configure IPv6 menu that appears (usually set automatically) and select Off.
More info see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4667
8. Turn on full disk encryption (Mac OS X 10.7 +) or Firevault
On Mac OS X Lion, Apple update encryption solution (FileVault) and adds full disk encryption, known as the "FileVault 2". This gives the advantage on security of for overall disk as compared with home folder and can be very useful if your laptop is stolen.
More info see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4790
9. Update Adobe Reader to version 10 or later
Adobe Reader has become target of hack for cyber criminals at Windows platform and still highest rank among devices in the world. Version 10 also some security of that make it more secure than previous versions. Make sure you get the latest version by downloading at Adobe page - unfortunately, lots of of the old version is still available for download and is very confusing.
10. Attach a good security solution.
"Mac is not infected with viruses" has become theme that common we hear from ad 2006 with images of a PC that is "sick" and the Mac that "healthy". Six years have passed and the situation has changed dramatically. In 2011, cyber criminals began pressing DNSChangers and falsified anti-virus on Mac users in an aggressive way. Trojan Flashback that appear September 2011 caused a huge buzz at March 2012 that counted half a million users around the world are infected.
Currently, security solutions are very important for Mac users. You can download and try Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac. For users of Mac OS X, options such as Little Snitch can be used for determine when the program appears for be used when an Internet connection and gives you the option for allow or deny this connection.
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