Originally released in 2015, El Capitan is the last version of Apple’s operating system designated as Mac OS X. Up until then, the operating system for Macs was known as OS X, but when Sierra (version 10.12) was introduced, Apple started calling it macOS to match the rest of its operating systems including iOS. The last update of El Capitan was 10.11.6, which was released on May 15th 2017. While Apple’s operating system for Mac is considered by many as more secure than Windows, the truth is that it is also affected by security weaknesses. Although many security issues were addressed and fixed in El Capitan, there are still some vulnerabilities present. In addition, it is important to keep in mind the online threats that could compromise the security of Mac users.
MacBooks are valuable tools for professionals and students and it is likely that you use yours in public places like coffee shops and airports. The problem is that these public internet access hubs tend to be unsecured and lurked by hackers. Many people rely on the convenience of free WiFi solutions available in public places, but when you connect to these networks, you may be putting your privacy at risk. Hackers may intercept your connection and get access to your data. In some cases, they even use fake WiFi hotspots to trick you into connecting to a network that they have set up.
When you are in a coffee shop or any other public place and you try to connect to the WiFi, you will see a list of networks available. You probably will try to connect to the one that has the same name or any reference to the place where you are. Unfortunately, hackers can change the name of their network and copy the name of the one you are trying to connect to. Once you connect to this fake network, they can easily access your personal information. Even if you need to enter a password to connect to the WiFi, the hacker may set the password to be the same as the one of the WiFi you actually want to use. If you connect to the fake WiFi set up by the hackers as a trap, they will be able to see what you do online.
It is even possible that the hackers create their own versions of the websites you usually use and once you enter your login details, they will be able to get them. All your accounts can be compromised because you would be giving away your usernames and passwords while you are connected to the fake WiFi. The good news is that there are ways to protect your information, even when you use public WiFi hotspots. With a VPN, you can keep hackers and eavesdroppers at bay. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it impossible to read so others will only see scrambled data and won’t be able to steal your personal information. MacBook users can connect to a VPN and make sure that it is enabled before setting the device into standby mode when they take the computer on the go.
It is possible to keep the VPN software on at all times to make sure that your information is safe anywhere you are. Many VPNs support a convenient feature known as kill switch, which shuts down internet access if the VPN connection drops. This will prevent data to be transferred while the traffic is not secured. There are also VPN services that feature automatic WiFi protection, meaning that the VPN checks the WiFi networks you connect to on a regular basis. If you try to connect to an unknown network, the VPN prevents the connection and sends a warning message. This offers additional security and allows you to avoid connecting to untrusted networks. Once a VPN is enabled, it encrypts all the traffic that goes through your Mac. It only accepts data that comes from its VPN server, which stops hackers from getting access to your data.
Since all the traffic is routed through the VPN server, the VPN client installed on your Mac won’t allow any fake websites set up by hackers since it will detect that they are not properly encrypted. Thanks to the encryption applied by the VPN, your online activities can’t be accessed by third-parties. If you are an avid gamer, a VPN is also a valuable tool to protect yourself. Gaming platforms are prone to DDoS attacks but with a VPN, you can avoid becoming a target. In order to launch an attack against you, your IP address is needed. A VPN disguises your IP address and all others see is the IP address of the VPN server, which can handle DDoS attacks. You can enjoy gaming securely and without disadvantages.
Best VPNs for El Capitan
Although Mac OS X El Capitan is designed with security in mind, there are still threats that could put your information into the wrong hands. In order to avoid risks and defend your privacy and security, you can rely on a VPN to add protection to your Mac. Whether you are at home or on the go, a VPN is an efficient tool to ensure that you enjoy a secure and versatile experience online. The below VPN services offer the features that will keep your traffic safe and that offer great performance with Mac OS X El Capitan.
ExpressVPN offers high security, outstanding speeds and excellent software for Mac. Their network of servers covers 94 countries at the moment. No logs of your activities are kept and ExpressVPN is committed to keep customers’ privacy protected at all times. The customer support team is available 24/7 and you can find useful set up guides for Mac. Although ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than other options available, it is a top quality solution that deserves to be considered. They have a 30-day moneyback guarantee.
IPVanish has an incredibly fast network that will allow you to enjoy gaming, streaming and downloading without hassle. In addition, it offers a high level of protection to keep your information safe from hackers and other threats. IPVanish has its own network and it has the capacity to handle DDoS attacks effectively. The software is fantastic and it works perfectly with Mac. The kill switch will allow you to keep your IP address hidden from attackers, even if the connection suddenly drops. You can connect to servers in over 60 countries.
NordVPN supports advanced technology to keep your information secure. They don’t keep any logs and have a solid network of servers that offer security, as well as flexibility to bypass restrictions. You can enjoy top encryption and access to servers in over 60 countries. NordVPN supports reliable protocols including IKEv2/IPsec, which works very well with Apple’s operating systems. NordVPN lets you add an additional layer of security with features like double hop encryption and Tor over VPN.
VyprVPN brings advanced technology and amazing speeds for online gaming, as well as a great selection of features that will ensure that you enjoy a secure experience. They offer helpful instructions that will guide you through every part of the setting up process. The exclusive Chameleon technology is one of the best things of VyprVPN as it enables you to defeat firewalls and blocks effectively. They have enabled access to L2TP/IPSec, which is a convenient solution for Mac. You can connect to servers in over 70 global locations.