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How to keep your Mac secure when you’re not using itIf you use or own a Mac, you should know that thousands of such devices are compromised every year because users fail to lock their devices when they leave their desks. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to protect your Mac from theft and unauthorized access. This […]

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30 Aug, 2023 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2023august30apple_b, apple, lock, lock device, mac, macbook, macbook tips, Security, shortcuts category
How to keep your Mac secure when you’re not using it

If you use or own a Mac, you should know that thousands of such devices are compromised every year because users fail to lock their devices when they leave their desks. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to protect your Mac from theft and unauthorized access. This article shows how you can lock your Mac when you're away from keyboard.

Use a keyboard shortcut

One of the simplest ways to swiftly secure your Mac is by using a keyboard shortcut. Pressing Control + ⌘ Command + Q concurrently initiates an immediate screen lock. This action prevents anyone from accessing your Mac without the required password.

Leverage the menu bar

At the upper-right corner of your screen, you'll find a padlock icon. This icon provides direct access to security options. Clicking on the padlock icon and selecting Lock Screen from the drop-down menu immediately locks your Mac.

Take advantage of Hot Corners

Open System Preferences and choose Security & Privacy. Then, click on the General tab and select Show Hot Corners in the menu bar.

Once you've done this, you can click on any of your four screen corners to activate a shortcut. For example, you could configure the top-right corner to lock your Mac. To lock your Mac using Hot Corners, simply move your cursor to the corner of the screen that you've assigned to the lock shortcut. You'll see a small icon in the corner, and your Mac will lock a few seconds later.

Capitalize on the power button

Your Mac's power button can be configured to serve a dual purpose beyond its standard functionality. By going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy, you can set the power button to trigger sleep mode. This immediate sleep mode activation prompts password authentication upon reactivation, effectively securing your Mac when you’re away.

Embrace Touch ID

If you have a Mac equipped with Touch ID, such as certain MacBook Pro models, you can make use of your fingerprint for biometric security. Touch ID streamlines the locking process by allowing you to lock your Mac with a simple touch of your registered fingerprint. This method blends speed and security seamlessly, ensuring that your Mac remains protected even when you're not around.

Implementing these methods ensures a consistent locking practice for your Mac, preventing unauthorized access and bolstering data security. For more tips on how to safeguard your tech, subscribe to our blog or drop us a line.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Migrating a large amount of data to a new device can be quite troublesome, especially if you’re switching from a PC to a Mac. Fortunately, you can do it easily with Apple’s Windows Migration Assistant. Seamlessly transfer your data and get your Mac set up and ready to go by following these steps. Preparing to […]

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17 Dec, 2021 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2021december17apple_b, apple, how to, mac, macos, migration assistant, pc, Tech Tips, Windows, windows migration assistant category

Migrating a large amount of data to a new device can be quite troublesome, especially if you’re switching from a PC to a Mac. Fortunately, you can do it easily with Apple’s Windows Migration Assistant. Seamlessly transfer your data and get your Mac set up and ready to go by following these steps.

Preparing to migrate data

Both the PC and the Mac need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, or if you prefer, you can run an Ethernet cable between the ports on the PC and the Mac for a direct connection. Since newer Mac models do not have an Ethernet port, you may need to purchase an Ethernet adapter, such as the Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter or Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter.

Next, you’ll want to make sure that your PC drive doesn’t have any issues. You can check for issues by following these steps.

  1. Type “Run” in the search bar. You can also press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run field.
  2. In the window that opens, type “cmd” and press Enter.
  3. In the command prompt, type “chkdsk” and press Enter.
  4. The check disk utility may report that it found problems. In that case, type “chkdsk drive: /F” and press Enter. Note that drive is the letter that represents your Windows startup disk, such as C: or D:.
  5. At the prompt that appears, press the Y key, then restart your PC.

This process might need to be repeated until the check disk utility reports no issues. If you can’t clear these issues, you may need to have your PC serviced before you migrate data to your Mac.

Migrating data from PC to Mac

You’ll need to download and install the Windows Migration Assistant on your PC based on the version of macOS on your Mac:

Once the Windows Migration Assistant is installed on your PC, you can start the migration process.

  1. Quit any open Windows apps.
  2. Launch Windows Migration Assistant.
  3. Click Continue to begin the process. If Windows updates are configured to install automatically on your PC, you may be asked to disable this feature. When you're ready to proceed, click Continue.
  4. Start up your Mac, if it’s not already up and running. If it’s a brand new Mac and has never been booted up before, Setup Assistant automatically launches. If you’ve already set it up, go to Applications > Utilities and launch Migration Assistant.
  5. In Migration Assistant on the Mac, go through the on-screen prompts until you reach the prompt asking how you want to transfer your information. Select From a Windows PC, then click Continue.
  6. When prompted, enter the administrator name and password. Then, click Continue and all other open apps will be closed.
  7. In the migration window on the Mac, a list of available computers will appear. Select your PC from the list, then wait for the PC to display a passcode. That same passcode should show up on the Mac as well. Once it does, you can click Continue on both the Mac and PC.
  8. The Mac will scan the drives of the PC and create a list of information you may wish to migrate. When the scan is complete, select the data you want to transfer, then click Continue. If you’re transferring a large volume of data, the process might take several hours to finish.
  9. When the migration is complete, quit Windows Migration Assistant on the PC, then log in to the new user account on your Mac. You’ll be asked to set a password for your new Mac account.

What types of data can you transfer?

A surprising amount of the data on a PC can be transferred to a Mac. For many business PC users, it’s important to know that transfers from Outlook are only supported for 32-bit versions of the program, as Migration Assistant doesn’t support the 64-bit versions. Outlook users can also run the app on Mac (as part of Microsoft Office for Mac) and connect to the same servers for access to their contacts, calendar, and so on.

Photos show up in your Mac’s Home folder, which is the one in the Users folder with your name. A good way to import all of those photos is to launch the Photos app on your Mac, select File > Import, and then choose your Home folder. The Photos app scans that folder for all photo files and presents them for review before being imported.

If you use either Windows Live Mail or Windows Mail on your PC, both your IMAP and POP settings and messages move to the Mac Mail app. For Windows Mail, People moves to the Mac Contacts app.

Any bookmark you had saved for Internet Explorer, the old Safari for Windows, and Firefox on the PC is transferred to Safari on your Mac. iTunes content like music, movies, and other files stored in the Windows version of iTunes are transferred to iTunes on the Mac. Finally, some system settings from the PC — language and location settings, web browser home page, and custom desktop pictures — are also moved to System Preferences.

Changing hardware and operating systems, as well as updating applications, can be a burden, especially if you have hundreds of workstations to manage. These tasks, however, are vital for growing businesses. If done right, scaling hardware and software can be secure, efficient, and cost-effective. Consult with a certified IT support expert today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Can malware affect your Mac?Malware creators will target anyone and everyone, including Mac users. So even though Apple computers are less vulnerable than Windows PCs, they are not completely impervious to cyberattacks. Read on to find out the different threats you should protect your Mac against, as well as signs that your computer has been compromised. What are the […]

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24 Nov, 2021 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2021november24apple_b, adware, apple, apple computers, cybercrime, imac, mac, macbook, macos, malware, ransomware, viruses category
Can malware affect your Mac?

Malware creators will target anyone and everyone, including Mac users. So even though Apple computers are less vulnerable than Windows PCs, they are not completely impervious to cyberattacks. Read on to find out the different threats you should protect your Mac against, as well as signs that your computer has been compromised.

What are the threats that can affect your Mac?

There are several forms of malware that hit Apple products, and their effects can range from ones that are merely annoying to downright destructive.

  1. Adware – These are unwanted programs that bombard users with pop-up advertisements. Some malicious adware piggyback spyware like keyloggers and keyboard sniffers onto their deployment protocols, allowing them to record your typing habits and monitor your browsing behavior.
  2. Sniffers – These are usually designed to detect certain words on a web page and in a person’s typing pattern in order to trigger the keylogger. For instance, when you type your password, sniffers can activate the keylogger to copy the information you type and steal your login details.
  3. Trojan horses – These can infect both Macs and PCs, and they are often deployed through fake software installers or unsecured updates. They parade as legitimate software that actually contain a nasty surprise once installed. A notorious Trojan horse for Macs is the MacDownloader, which attempts to steal personal data stored in iCloud Keychain.
  4. Macro viruses – These attack computers by running a code that can take screenshots, format hard drives, corrupt files, deliver more malware, and access webcams and microphones. They are triggered when a user opens an infected macros-enabled file, hence the name.
  5. Ransomware – Macs managed to hold off ransomware for a while, but nowadays, even they can be vulnerable to it. KeRanger was one of the first big ransomware outbreaks in Macs. After remotely encrypting the computer and hibernating for three days, KeRanger would issue a .txt file containing instructions for decryption in return for one bitcoin.

Telltale signs your Mac is infected

Now that you know what kinds of malware your Mac could be affected with, here are some ways to tell if your computer is infected with one:

  1. Pop-up ads – If you’re seeing more pop-ups on your computer than usual, your computer is probably infected. An unusual amount of banner ads and pop-ups may mean that your computer is due for an update and/or a virus scan.
  2. Slowness – Mac users fear one thing above all: the spinning wheel of death. This little rainbow-colored spinning cursor wheel indicates that the computer is having trouble processing at usual speeds. This slowness can often be caused by overwhelming requests from simultaneous processes — likely of dubious origin — running in the background.
  3. Browser issues – Viruses sometimes do weird things to Safari or Google Chrome such as change its homepage or redirect a preset landing page to a site you’ve never seen before. If your browser starts behaving oddly, crashes regularly, or is often unresponsive, your Mac might have a virus.

Computer security is a matter of importance no matter what operating system you use. Reach out to our experts for an assessment of your network today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Secure your Mac before discarding itWell over half of Americans save account passwords to an application or web browser, and at least as many also store private documents on their computers. That’s fine for people who take active measures to protect their data, but if you give away a computer, you surrender all control over it. That’s why you need […]

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18 Aug, 2021 / by Complete Technology Resources / in 2021august18apple_b, apple, apple id, apple-silicon-based macs, backup, disk utility, icloud, imessage, intel-based macs, itunes, mac, macos, privacy, Security, time machine category
Secure your Mac before discarding it

Well over half of Americans save account passwords to an application or web browser, and at least as many also store private documents on their computers. That’s fine for people who take active measures to protect their data, but if you give away a computer, you surrender all control over it. That’s why you need to follow these steps before selling or donating your Mac.

1. Back up your files

You don’t want the new owner of your Mac to find your private files, so you’ll want to reformat it first. However, you may have files you would like to keep. To save those files, back them up on iCloud or on an external hard drive or another Mac via Time Machine.

Backing up using iCloud

Follow these steps:

  1. Go to icloud.com, then sign in using your Apple ID. Fulfill multifactor authentication requirements if prompted.
  2. Check if your account has sufficient space remaining by clicking Settings > [your account name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. Free up storage space by deleting some files, or purchase more space if you must.
  3. To control what you’ll include in your backup sync, go to Settings > [your account name] > iCloud, then turn the toggle switches on or off for the applications you want or don’t want to sync.
  4. Once you’re happy with your selection, click Back up now.

Backing up using Time Machine

You can port your old files to an external drive or to another Mac. For the first option, follow these steps:

  1. Plug the external drive into your Mac and wait for its icon to appear on the screen.
  2. Go to System Preferences > Time Machine > Select Backup Disk. Select the drive you plugged in, then click Use Disk.
  3. You’ll be asked to erase the disk if it isn’t formatted to support Time Machine and Mac. The backup can proceed once you comply.

To back up your files from one Mac onto another Mac, make sure that both machines are on the same network first, Then, proceed as follows:

  1. On the Mac that’ll serve as the backup destination, click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tick the File Sharing box.
  3. Select Options. Select “Share files and folders using SMB” if it isn’t selected already, then click Done.
  4. At the bottom of the Shared Folders list, click Add.
  5. Find and choose the folder you want to utilize for sharing, then click Add.
  6. Control-click the folder’s name, then select Advanced Options.
  7. Click the “Share over” menu, then select SMB.
  8. Choose “Share as a Time Machine backup destination.”
  9. If you want, you can use “Limit backups to” to put a cap on the size of the backup to be created.
  10. Select OK.

2. Sign in to all your accounts on a new computer

Before you can ensure that your personal accounts are inaccessible on the Mac you’re getting rid of, you must be certain that you can access those accounts on another computer. If you need to recover a username or password, your options may be limited if the trusted computer has been wiped clean. Make sure to log in to these accounts on another device before moving forward:

  • Apple ID
  • iCloud
  • iMessage
  • iTunes

It’s also important that you remember account credentials that you’d saved on your web browser. If you use Safari, here are the steps to check all the accounts your browser has saved:

  1. Open Safari.
  2. Select Preferences from the menu directly next to the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  3. Click the Passwords menu.
  4. Comb through the list and confirm that you can access all those accounts on another computer.

3. Sign out of everything

Deleting everything on your hard drive does not automatically mean that all of your personal information will be completely erased. This is because your device may be linked to your Apple accounts, which means that if you’re still signed in on the Mac you’ve given away, the next user may have access to your accounts.

To prevent this from happening, deauthorize as many accounts as possible before formatting the storage disk by doing the following:

  1. Open the Apple Books app, Apple TV app, or Music/iTunes app.
  2. On the top menu bar, select Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer.
  3. Use your Apple ID to sign in.
  4. Click Deauthorize.

Next, you’ll want to sign out of iCloud. If your machine is on macOS Catalina or later, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. Select System Preferences > Apple ID.
  3. In the sidebar, choose Overview > Sign Out.

If your machine is on MacOS Mojave or earlier:

  1. Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. Select System Preferences > iCloud > Sign Out.

You’ll also want to sign out of iMessage:

  1. Open the iMessage app, click Messages > Preferences > Accounts.
  2. Select your account in the left sidebar and click the “Sign Out” button.

4. Remove the device from Apple Support

Another thing that people often forget to do is revoke their Apple Support registration (unless they want the new owner of their Mac to receive free assistance from Apple Geniuses). Visit support.apple.com/my-support, sign in with your Apple ID and remove any device you plan to get rid of or no longer own.

5. Do a factory reset

When all your files have been backed up and your accounts are accessible on other devices, you can wipe clean your Mac’s hard drive. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Enter recovery mode. Apple details separate instructions on how to do so on Intel-based Macs and Apple Silicon-based Macs.
  2. To proceed wiping the hard drive, go to Disk Utility.
  3. Under the Internal heading, choose the Macintosh HD drive and click Erase in the top toolbar. Retain Macintosh HD as its name and set its format to either Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS.
  4. To wipe that drive, click Erase or Erase Volume Group (whichever button is shown), then repeat the process for all the other internal drives, if any. This ensures that all data on the Mac is completely erased and that errors during the reinstall process will be avoided.
  5. Close the Disk Utility window to return to the Recovery screen.
  6. Press Command-Q to shut down the Mac.

From here, you can let the person getting the machine install a clean version of macOS.

All in all, this entire process can take a couple of days. Small businesses can save a lot of time by hiring an IT provider with Apple experts to take care of mundane tasks like wiping an old computer’s hard drive. Give us a call today to learn more about what we do.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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