May 26, 2017
Hey, TJ, hey.
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Hey, TJ, hey.
Unable to get on line
That's the subject line (also repeated in the the body) of an email that we just received.
One of the easiest things to do to keep your Mac "safe" is to keep it updated.
You can access System Preferences by using the "Apple Menu" from any application:
Then choose "Software Update" and make sure "Install system data files and security updates" is selected.
(Note: screenshots are from Mac 10.8.2. Other versions may look different.)
I suppose it would be kind of weird if I did not link to this, since it was (unintentionally) the inspiration for this site.
This site started as an article I wrote for [TUAW](http://www.tuaw.com) called [Securing Your Mac: A Guide for Reasonable People, Version 1.0](http://www.tuaw.com/2012/11/30/securing-your-mac-a-guide-for-reasonable-people-version-1-0/). In writing that article as well as thinking about follow-up, I realized that there is a lot more to say and that it would be helpful to have it in one place for people who are looking for information about this topic. Most of the information that I found about this topic was either a) on several different websites or b) on websites which want to sell you some sort of solution. I'm not trying to sell you anything. ## **~No Warranty Expressed or Implied~** ## I am not infallible. This information may be incorrect. Use entirely at your own risk. I take no responsibility for it. ## **~Who runs this site?~** ## My name is [TJ Luoma](http://luo.ma). I have been writing about computers online since 1995, going back to the days of NeXT. I currently write for [The Unofficial Apple Weblog](http://www.tuaw.com). You can [find an archive of my TUAW articles here](http://www.tuaw.com/editor/tj-luoma). I am not associated with any of the products or services referred to on this site. These pages represent my *opinion* which I like to consider a reasonable, and informed opinion, but nevertheless an opinion. Others may disagree. My goal is *not* to cover *every* suggest that everyone can do. My goal is to give an "average" Mac user enough information that she or he can bring home their new Mac and take a series of basic steps which I believe are sufficient for a *reasonable* person. Of course 'reasonable' is a completely subjective definition. In addition, I will occasionally provide some 'advanced' or 'expert' suggestions for those who wish to go a step or two beyond the basics. ## **~"Why should I believe anything you have to say?"~** ## Well, my first response is that you shouldn't. By which I mean, you shouldn't just look at the list of things I suggest and do them because you read them on the Internet. However, I think that these are truth worthy recommendations because they are the steps that I take myself, and the steps that I would suggest to my own family members or friends if they asked me. Finally I think my suggestions are trustworthy because I have absolutely no financial stake in selling you any type of solution. I think you should *always* be skeptical of someone who warns you about the dangers of "Something" if they are also the person who wants to sell you protection from "Something". Don't buy the "solution" until you are convinced of the reality of the problem and the validity of their solution.
Subject: Computer NYC
Entirety of a message received 2012-08-21