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Don’t Go on Your Trip without Securing Your MacBook

Credit: Andrew Neel via Pexels

Your MacBook holds your media, information and allows you to consume entertainment. It may also have many practical uses, such as helping you manage your travels or complete work on a business trip.

That’s why you must prepare your MacBook for the journey before you leave. You don’t want to lose your precious computer while travelling, nor do you want it to break down due to a malware attack. Here are some steps you should take to secure your Mac for your voyage. 

#1 Prepare for Theft

Sure, that fancy MacBook looks good in that equally fancy Mac bag, but do you really want the attention? Research from Gartner shows that a laptop is stolen every minute. And data from the University of Pittsburgh says that there’s only a 2 percent chance to recover a stolen laptop. So, let’s look at some ways you can prepare your Mac for theft:

• Buy an unremarkable laptop bag that protects your machine from falls and doesn’t draw negative attention.
• Put your contact information in the bag in case it’s misplaced. You can even attach an address sticker to the base of your MacBook.
• Turn on Location Services and set up the Find My Mac feature in your operating system to keep track of a lost MacBook
• Keep the number of the local police handy in the country you’re visiting. With the Find My Mac features enabled, law enforcement has a better chance to recover your property.  

#2 Prepare for Malware

It’s a myth that Macs don’t get viruses. In fact, cybersecurity company Malwarebytes notes in their State of Malware Report that Mac threats now outpace Windows per endpoint user. An infection can slow down or crash your computer, leak your confidential data to cybercriminals, and blast your screen with pop-up ads.

Do you really have time to deal with Mac malware while on the road? Especially if you’re in your hotel room preparing for a shoot or readying your presentation for your potential investors? Secure your Mac with the following tips:

• Reinforce your Mac’s security with free Mac antivirus that’s proactive and powered by anti-malware technology designed to remediate viruses, adware, spyware, ransomware, etc. 
• Update your MacBook’s operating system to the latest version to plug security holes. With malware like Silver Sparrow on the horizon, even the latest M1 chips aren’t safe.
• Start spring cleaning your list of programs and remove software you don’t need that can slow down your system and could hide malware. 

#3 Enhance Network Security

While travelling with your MacBook, you have no choice but to use public WiFi connections at hotels, motels, airports, coffee shops, malls, and restaurants. Unfortunately, most public WiFi connections have weak security settings and are exploited by hackers to target travellers with financial crimes. 

Enable your MacBook’s firewall to secure your network. Additionally, subscribe to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data. But please don’t stay away from free VPNs because they usually carry malware. 

These are three essential steps that can help you secure your MacBook. With your MacBook safe, you can focus on your trip, whether it’s for business or pleasure.