Concerned About Security and Privacy
Fine. Call me a conspiracy theorist, or whatever you want, but I'm concerned about online privacy and security in today's world. Government, media and big business want our personal and financial information (and viewing habits) to track, store, sell and use. I understand that's the world we live in but I refuse to "get used to it." It's MY information and I don't just give it away. They sure don't give us their's. We can't even get unbiased truth out of any of them. Now, I'm learning that it's possible for software, and other people, to access our cameras and microphones on the computer. C'mon. Enough is enough!
I don't sign up or register for much of anything online. When I do, it's 100% fake information. I especially hate Google. Don't get me wrong, I don't do anything online I wouldn't do in front of my mother, spouse or pastor. It's the principle of the thing. When you start giving up the little things, they start taking the big things. (As we're already well aware of.)
So, my question is this: What safegaurds do you take on your computer? Do you have lot of security apps/extensions? Which ones? Do you use your firewall and/or firevault? Is that frustrating the way you use the internet or programs you use? Which browser do you prefer? Search Engine? E-mail? Do you use any third party software for virus protection or anti-spyware?
Basically, what do YOU do to protect your computer and your personal information? I'm not the most computer literate person so I hope you'll have patience with me.
Apple Product Security
Snoop Proof Your Mac - NSA Style!
Sesame 2 can be found @ http://atama.io/sesame.html
Similar Messages
-
Best security and privacy settings for Yosemite
I have recently upgraded to Yosemite and started thinking about security and privacy. So I had a look around hoping to find an article or something telling me what I should do to various settings to make sure that everything is okay. I did find some information but bits of it were beyond my understanding and I did want to do anything in case I messed anything up. Like I saw about FileVault but then went I went to use it I was asked if I wanted to use iCloud with it or not, but I didn't know which option to go for so I left it. Obviously I have a password and Firewall turned on but just wondering if there was anything else I can do to protect everythin. I also read that Apple gets a lot of information from web searches and such. I really do t like the thought of thar. Can I do anything. I'm sorry if this seems really basic but I would appreciate any advice anyone can give or point me in the direction of.
Privacy
Use built-in Private Browsing and DuckDuckGo search engine.
Protection
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14365
http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg/
Best. -
Problem description:
Wondering if I should upgrade to Yosemite from Mac pro 10.6.8 as search engines are not always responding well - Fan comes on with firefox/safari is not always responding on some sites - also concerned about security issues as my system is older and not able to receive ? I have used etrecheck and copied results here - Any help/suggestions much appreciated - Thanks kindly!
EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)
Report generated February 7, 2015 10:41:15 AM EST
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.
Hardware Information: ℹ️
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) (Technical Specifications)
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1
1 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery Health: Normal - Cycle count 303
Video Information: ℹ️
Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB
Color LCD 1280 x 800
System Software: ℹ️
Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) - Time since boot: 1:24:41
Disk Information: ℹ️
Hitachi HTS545032B9A302 disk0 : (298.09 GB)
- (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 319.73 GB (198.41 GB free)
OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5970H
USB Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
Apple, Inc. MacBook Pro
Configuration files: ℹ️
/etc/hosts - Count: 15
Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.olympus.DSSBlockCommandsDevice (1.1.0) [Click for support]
Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[not loaded] org.samba.winbindd.plist [Click for support]
Launch Agents: ℹ️
[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist [Click for support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
Flux Application (/Applications/Flux.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 13.9.8 - SDK 10.6 Check version
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.6.6
AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 10.1.12 [Click for support]
AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.12 [Click for support]
DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 1.4 [Click for support]
Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.1.0 [Click for support]
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Click for support]
Silverlight: Version: 4.1.10329.0 [Click for support]
iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.7
Audio Plug-ins: ℹ️
iSightAudio: Version: 7.6.6
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
Flash Player [Click for support]
Growl [Click for support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
Time Machine information requires OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later.
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
7% WindowServer
1% plugin-container
1% firefox
0% fontd
0% Flux
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
515 MB firefox
52 MB mds
43 MB WindowServer
43 MB Finder
34 MB plugin-container
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
2.14 GB Free RAM
745 MB Active RAM
475 MB Inactive RAM
929 MB Wired RAM
231 MB Page-ins
0 B Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
Feb 7, 2015, 09:16:09 AM Self test - passed... Fan comes on with firefox/safari is not always responding on some sites -
An SMC reset may resolve the otherwise inexplicable fan behaviour. Be sure to read the procedure carefully and follow all the steps exactly as written, even if they seem inapplicable or trivial.
Fixing a modified Hosts file requires specific instructions. Apple Support Communities contributor and EtreCheck author etresoft recently added a User Tip discussing that concern, and how to correct it: Fixing a hacked /etc/hosts file
Back up your Mac prior to making any changes to its file system. To learn how to use Time Machine read Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac. -
Is there a way to view Flash videos on my iMac without downloading Adobe Flash Player? I'm concerned about performance and security with Adobe Flash Player.
If the video is only available in a format that requires Flash player : then no.
However, a great many can also be viewed in an HTML5 version, in which case http://hoyois.github.io/safariextensions/clicktoplugin/ or similar can be set up so that Flash never runs unless you specifically choose it to. -
Location Service in security and privacy preference pane not saved
Hi,
When I want to activate the location service inside the security and privacy preference pane, it is not save. I can check the box but if I leave the pref pane, and come back, it is still uncheck.
I notice that when I wanted to activate the icloud feature: localized my mac. Thus, it's not working due to my pref in privacy pane not saved.
I notice as well that in safari, there is a location option as well, and I can't activate it, like iCloud feature due to my pref in privacy always unchecked.
I tried to repair the authorization of my disk a couple of times
Is someone experiencing the same issue ?The terms of service of the Apple Support Communities prevent us (Apple users) from speculating about why Apple does or does not take certain actions.
I can't tell you why it is the way it is. But I can say you could go a long way to alleviating your concern by going to System Preferences > Energy Saver and changing the sleep time such that your computer goes to sleep nearly immediately after you stop using it. Then even if you forget to log off, your computer will very quickly go to sleep and require a password. -
As stated in the header,
iCloud
Mail, Contacts, and Calenders
Software Update
all want to open in 32 bit mode. Then when System Preferences quits and relaunches IN 32 bit mode, I get a dialog box saying "You can't open (pick one) preferences because it doesn't work on an Intel-based Mac." Moreover, Security and Privacy does the same thing only without the song and dance about quitting and reopening.
Whaaaaat???!!! I've never owned anything BUT an Intel Mac.
The "open in 32 bit mode" is not, and has never been checked in "Get Info"
I tried going to ~Library/Preferences and tossing all com.apple.system preferences files and rebooting. No joy.
It actually looks like some joker has included a bunch of PPC preference panes in my copy of MountainLion, except some of them are new to this OS.
My hardware is a mid 2010 13" MacBook Pro with4 gb of RAM, and a 500 gb hard drive, in three seperate partitions, running three Mac operating systems, one at a time. I have SnowLeopard in a small partition because I still have a few things that don't run in Lion/ML. Lion is still my main use machine in the largest partition, and when ML came out, I redistributed most of the unused space into a 3rd partition into which I did a clean install of ML in it's own partition so I could work through the growing pains without compromising my main computer. I'm glad I did it that way, but I DO want to get ML working properly, and I can't do that if I can't authorize third party software. Gatekeeper is currently in the way, and I can't get it to move.I dunno, that doesn't make any sense to me.
I just shut down and rebooted into the SnowLeopard partition and took a peek at the preference panes. There are only 3 that run in 32 bit only. They are all 3rd party, and none of the prefpanes are non Intel. Like I said, I have never owned a PPC machine. Anyhow, SnowLeopard doesn't even have an iCloud prefpane, or a combined mail, contacts, and calenders prefpane, and the ML security and privacy prefpane is all new as well. The software update prefpane is Intel and 64 bit in both SnowLeopard and Lion.
As to the triple boot, unless I'm totally mistaken, what I have here is, in essence, 3 seperate descrete computers in one box. All using the same hardware. but one at a time. I wouldn't know how to get more than one running at the same time, without using a virtual machine, even if I wanted to. (Which I don't) I do sometimes transfer files from one to another using the shared folder, but other than that, they do not interact. How could ML system preferences be trying to launch prefpanes from a totally different machine? -
Security and privacy system preferences not working after Lion install. What to do?
Security and privacy system preference not working after Lion install. Not sure if it happen with Lion installer or after updating. What to do?
Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It won’t solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Third-party system modifications are a common cause of usability problems. By a “system modification,” I mean software that affects the operation of other software — potentially for the worse. The following procedure will help identify which such modifications you've installed. Don’t be alarmed by the complexity of these instructions — they’re easy to carry out and won’t change anything on your Mac.
These steps are to be taken while booted in “normal” mode, not in safe mode. If you’re now running in safe mode, reboot as usual before continuing.
Below are instructions to enter some UNIX shell commands. The commands are harmless, but they must be entered exactly as given in order to work. If you have doubts about the safety of the procedure suggested here, search this site for other discussions in which it’s been followed without any report of ill effects.
Some of the commands will line-wrap or scroll in your browser, but each one is really just a single line, all of which must be selected. You can accomplish this easily by triple-clicking anywhere in the line. The whole line will highlight, and you can then either copy or drag it. The headings “Step 1” and so on are not part of the commands.
Note: If you have more than one user account, Step 2 must be taken as an administrator. Ordinarily that would be the user created automatically when you booted the system for the first time. The other steps should be taken as the user who has the problem, if different. Most personal Macs have only one user, and in that case this paragraph doesn’t apply.
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ If you’re running Mac OS X 10.7 or later, open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the page that opens.
When you launch Terminal, a text window will open with a line already in it, ending either in a dollar sign (“$”) or a percent sign (“%”). If you get the percent sign, enter “sh” (without the quotes) and press return. You should then get a new line ending in a dollar sign.
Step 1
Copy or drag — do not type — the line below into the Terminal window, then press return:
kextstat -kl | awk '!/com\.apple/{printf "%s %s\n", $6, $7}'
Post the lines of output (if any) that appear below what you just entered (the text, please, not a screenshot.) You can omit the final line ending in “$”.
Step 2
Repeat with this line:
sudo launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.(apple|openssh|vix)|edu\.mit|org\.(amavis|apache|cups|isc|ntp|postfix|x)/{print $3}'
This time, you'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. You may get a one-time warning not to screw up. You don't need to post the warning.
Note: If you don’t have a login password, you’ll need to set one before taking this step. If that’s not possible, skip to the next step.
Step 3
launchctl list | sed 1d | awk '!/0x|com\.apple|edu\.mit|org\.(x|openbsd)/{print $3}'
Step 4
ls -1A /e*/mach* {,/}L*/{Ad,Compon,Ex,Fram,In,Keyb,La,Mail/Bu,P*P,Priv,Qu,Scripti,Servi,Spo,Sta}* L*/Fonts 2> /dev/null
Important: If you synchronize with a MobileMe account, your me.com email address may appear in the output of the above command. If so, anonymize it before posting.
Step 5
osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to get name of every login item' 2> /dev/null
Remember, steps 1-5 are all drag-and-drop or copy-and-paste, whichever you prefer — no typing, except your password. Also remember to post the output.
You can then quit Terminal. -
After upgrading to Mountain Lion I am not able to access "security and privacy" button under "system preferences". I like to activate "find my mac" but cannot access privacy setting after upgrade. Kindly advice.
-
system preferences's security and privacy are greyed out and it freezes how do i fix it? and when i try to connect to my school wifi it says that is not connected but it is how do i fix that too?
Hello NoraV,
It looks like your Security and Privacy pane is not loading at all, and is making the window unresponsive when you oepn it. I recommend checking your hard drive for errors with the following article:
Disk Utility 12.x: Repair a disk
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5836
If the issue is not resolved, try performing the steps in this article to boot to Safe Mode, then leave it to retest the issue:
OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564
Starting up in Safe Mode
To start up into Safe Mode (to Safe Boot), follow these steps.
Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key.
The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple logo and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
After the logo appears, you should see a progress bar during startup. This indicates that your computer is performing a directory check as part of Safe Mode.
To leave Safe Mode, restart your computer without holding any keys during startup.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
All the best,
Sterling -
HELP!! cant install non app store programs and security and privacy stuck
hi guys really need help.
I cant install non apple approved programs cos the (see below);
"Open System Preferences > Security and Privacy > General, and choose "Anywhere" under "Allow applications downloaded from"
this function is stuck..... I cant unlock it even after inputting the correcct Admin password.....
Please advise
Thanks so much!!!Deloren19 wrote:
"Open System Preferences > Security and Privacy > General, and choose "Anywhere" under "Allow applications downloaded from"
Does not exist under 10.6.8. -
Phone number held hostage? Security and Privacy Risk
Let me preface this by saying I do not own an iPhone.
The previous owner of my phone number, however, was an iPhone user. Apparently there is a way he could link the number to his Apple ID. After getting rid of his phone, he never disassociated the number from his Apple ID.
The problem this creates is that now anyone who wants to text me from an iOS device is unable to do so without turning off the iMessage service. Since my (his) number is registered to an Apple ID, my HTC appears to iMessage as another iOS device and thus texting never goes out to the cellular network... the previous owner is getting any text sent from an iMessage-enabled iPhone meant for me.
Effectively, Apple has created a situation where this person, or any person with an iOS device for that matter, can knowingly or unknowingly manage to hold a celluar number hostage from a texting perspective, creating a security and privacy risk.
Has anyone run into this before and if so what is the recourse? There has to be some was for Apple to dissociate a number no longer used by a previous user.Unfortunately, I don't have an iPhone or a support contract so Applecare won't even talk to me without me ponying up $19. I see no sense in having to pay for a problem I didn't create.
-
Hello after recently updating to Yosemite i can no longer edit the security and privacy section of system preferences. When I select the accessibility pane for example, when I click the lock to make changes and then enter my Admin password and click unlock, it will unlock but then instantly re lock before I can do anything. This is really making me angry, any ideas?
Hello hoanghuu,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
If you are not receiving the reset email and you do not know the answers to your security questions, then please contact Apple account security in your country by finding their contact information in the article below.
Apple ID: Contacting Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support
Take care,
Alex H. -
Security and Privacy in settings refuses to unlock
Any solution to unlocking security and privacy in settings, it won't allow itself to unlock
"Click the lock to make changes" stays locked
ThanksSome prefs like Parental controls will open.
I got this reading in console:
1/31/15 12:01:44.404 PM com.apple.preference.security.remoteservice[8193]: ### AuthorizationCreate returned -1 stack (
0 Security 0x000000010d8a179b Security + 26523
1 libdispatch.dylib 0x00007fff92961323 _dispatch_call_block_and_release + 12
2 libdispatch.dylib 0x00007fff9295cc13 _dispatch_client_callout + 8
3 libdispatch.dylib 0x00007fff92968cbf _dispatch_main_queue_callback_4CF + 861
4 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff903c4c79 __CFRUNLOOP_IS_SERVICING_THE_MAIN_DISPATCH_QUEUE__ + 9
5 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff9038130f __CFRunLoopRun + 2159
6 CoreFoundation 0x00007fff90380858 CFRunLoopRunSpecific + 296
7 HIToolbox 0x00007fff946d1aef RunCurrentEventLoopInMode + 235
8 HIToolbox 0x00007fff946d186a ReceiveNextEventCommon + 431
9 HIToolbox 0x00007fff946d16ab _BlockUntilNextEventMatchingListInModeWithFilter + 71
10 AppKit 0x00007fff8f704f81 _DPSNextEvent + 964
11 AppKit 0x00007fff8f704730 -[NSApplication nextEventMatchingMask:untilDate:inMode:dequeue:] + 194
12 ViewBridge 0x00007fff8665c8be -[NSViewServiceApplication nextEventMatchingMask:untilDate:inMode:dequeue:] + 70
13 AppKit 0x00007fff8f6f8593 -[NSApplication run] + 594
14 AppKit 0x00007fff8f6e3a14 NSApplicationMain + 1832
15 libxpc.dylib 0x00007fff91afbef2 _xpc_objc_main + 793
16 libxpc.dylib 0x00007fff91afda9d _parse_sysctl_once + 0
17 ViewBridge 0x00007fff866aafd5 xpc_connection_handler + 0
18 ViewBridge 0x00007fff8665fb36 NSViewServiceApplicationMain + 2035
19 PreferencePanes 0x00007fff8c08915d PreferencePaneMain + 168
20 com.apple.preference.security.remoteservice 0x0000000108fc4c92 main + 37
21 libdyld.dylib 0x00007fff8909c5c9 start + 1
1/31/15 12:01:45.946 PM com.avatron.airconnect.daemon[56]: remoteUpdateTimerFired: case kACRegistrarSignedIn
Will try to create a new user -
I have and iphone 6 with iOS 8.1. My contacts and whats app messages are shown on my sister's iphone! She have iPhone 6 and and iOS as well. How can I secure my iphone and have a high level of security and privacy! Her Contacts are shown in my iphone as well! Setting in mac and iphone are a bit presice and sensitive. Is there any way to solve my issue and increase the safety, security and privacy in my iPhone and its data?
Your problem is that she used your icloud ID to connect to icloud and thus had all your data synced to her device. Contacts are not saved in a backup to icloud, since they are stored independently in the Contacts section of icloud. If someone deletes them, they are gone. If you had them on the PC would they be available in some backup you frequently make of the PC?
-
Sharing calendar appears on another persons device - security and privacy risk
I really wanted to raise this as a bug, but couldn't find anywhere to do that.
On my wife's iPhone which is running iOS 7, I wanted to share her iCloud calendar to my Apple ID so that I could see her calendar from my iPhone (also iOS 7). Although I received the email telling me to accept the shared calendar, when I clicked the link it told me I was not authorized. I then discovered that my parents had received the sharing invite on their phone (iOS 4.2.1) which they accepted and could see her calendar.
This is a security and privacy risk because they are not connected to my iCloud account and it is not the account we specified to share with. Also we did not specify their account to share with. How can this happen? Their iPhone was never registered to my Apple ID. The only connection I can think of is that I believe my email address (which is also my Apple ID) is listed as their secondary email address or something.Sorry just realised it was their iPad 3 that received the invite not their iPhone, and it would have been running iOS 6
Maybe you are looking for
-
Move directories based on names stored in a CSV
Hi there, I'm currently attempting to import a CSV file that contains a list of directory names. This list needs to then be checked against the current contents of a second directory (H:\) and all child directories of (H:\) that are listed in the CS
-
*** Canu2019t Change ServerName or DatabaseName At Runtime In Crystal Report!!!
Canu2019t Change ServerName or DatabaseName At Runtime In Crystal Report. Why? HI thereu2026 This is just a simple Winform(not ASP) with a Crystal Report Viewer control on it that was called by another simple WinForm. Iu2019m trying to simply change
-
I proceeded to update automatically and the I got the window to apply. I clicked the "Apply" button. The browser closed and reopened immediately, and my antivirus asked me whether to allow the software. I clicked allowed. Then I got the window readin
-
Hi, I was wondering if there is a way to see my list of people contacted back in the month of May. It has been only 4 months but it tells me there are no messages from that month. To clarify, I am looking under messaging details. I just need to find
-
Hi! Do anyone have experience with portal 4.0 and wap? is it stable and device spesific?