To prevent unauthorized access to your Apple ID, set up two-factor authentication. Whenever a sign-in is attempted, both a correct password and a one-time code — sent to an iOS or macOS device registered with your Apple ID — are required for entry.

Backing up an iPhone via iTunes was once one of the most secure ways to make a full copy of all of your data and apps and transfer it to a new device. Starting with macOS Catalina, though, iTunes is no longer available. Backup now goes through Finder, but still provides options for encryption.

There are many variants of Linux (called “distributions”) that can serve as full desktop operating systems that replace or complement more popular options like Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. To ensure that the Linux distribution you’re using is secure, use a long-term support release. Long-term support means that it’s guaranteed to receive regular security updates […]

If you have a Mac and need to share it with someone, you should set up a Guest account before doing so. This can be done from System Preferences -> Users and Groups. A Guest account provides minimal features, so that the user cannot do any damage to the operating system or your data.

Older operating systems are generally less safe than newer ones, especially if they’re connected to an IP network such as the internet. If you have any devices that do not support the latest releases of their OSes (e.g., a PC that couldn’t install Windows 10), think about replacing them with something more recent.

If your computer were ever lost, you’d want the peace of mind that the data contained on it wouldn’t be recoverable by whoever stole or found it. Full-disk encryption is the best solution here. Both Microsoft Windows and Apple MacOS contain built-in utilities – BitLocker and FileVault, respectively – for encrypting all of your local […]