In today’s digital age, unlocking privacy on your Mac computer is more than just a possibility. It is a necessity. Since users are continuously navigating the vast Internet landscape, safeguarding one’s information and concealing activities have become paramount. Fortunately, Mac computers offer several features and tools to help conceal online activities and also hide files and folders from prying eyes. Let’s delve into the world of Mac privacy, uncovering solutions and strategies that empower users to protect their data.
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Hide Files and Folders from Snoopers
Whether you are sharing your Mac computer with someone or worried someone will spy on your files and folders if you ever leave your computer unlocked, the solution is to hide files and folders with sensitive information. There are different ways to hide files or folders. Some of them are discussed below.
- Clear or hide the Recent Folder
The Recents Folder on your Mac computer stores and displays all your recent activities. Be it a Word document you opened recently or any type of image file, you will find it in this folder. The tricky part is this folder doesn’t actually exist as an actual folder, but it is a smart folder living in Finder. Hence, it cannot be dragged out and deleted.
So, how to hide recents on Mac? You can use the Apple menu to clear recents so nobody else can track your activities. You will find the Recent Items option as you click the Apple logo in the menu bar. Select Clear Menu to remove all the items stored in this folder.
- Hide files using the keyboard shortcut
If you wish to hide a particular file from view, press Command + Shift + Period after choosing the file. This means that the file is stored on your computer, but nobody can see it when using your computer.
Please note that the keyboard shortcut only works in macOS Ventura or later.
- Create invisible folders via FileVault
FileVault is an in-built security feature of macOS. It helps to encode files on the system with a password. Furthermore, it is an efficient way to hide files on your computer because nobody can access them without the credentials or password.
To use FileVault, go to System Settings > select Privacy & Security > FileVault > toggle it on, enter your password > select the recovery method, and choose Continue.
With FileVault turned on, nobody can access the files and folders on your Mac without your permission. Your data will remain safe even if your computer is stolen or lost.
Additionally, you can use Terminal to hide folders.
Create a Strong Passcode
You can conceal all your activities by cutting off access to your Mac computer. This can be done by creating a strong passcode. Head to Security & Privacy on your computer > choose General > select Change Password and create something unique and challenging to crack.
Also, ensure your Mac locks as soon as it detects a few seconds of inactivity if you are concerned about your privacy and data security. Go to Apple menu > Lock Screen and set a time when your Mac computer will automatically lock itself if there’s no activity.
Use Private Browsing Mode in Safari
You must pay special attention to conceal your online activities because hackers and other cybercriminals are always on the prowl. Data breaches are consistently on the rise. Luckily, you can use Safari’s Private Browsing Mode to prevent rogue applications and websites from grabbing whatever data they can find via your browsing history. In the Private Browsing Mode, Safari will not remember the pages you have visited.
To start browsing in this mode, tap File in Safari and select New Private Window. You can even set Safari to always open windows in Private Browsing Mode (Preferences > General > choose Safari Opens With a New Private Window.
Tinker with Safari’s Privacy Protection Settings
If you want it harder for third parties to track your online activities, utilize the different tools that Safari is equipped with to secure your privacy. These tools are often overlooked.
Launch Safari > Preferences > Privacy, and you will see different privacy protection tools:
- Cookies and website data – Change Safari’s cookies and website data settings so that websites cannot track you using cookies. Disable cookies to avoid giving out too much information online.
- Prevention of cross-site tracking – You must enable this setting so that the browser makes it difficult for sites to track you.
- Apple Card and Apple Pay – If you use these services, you can select whether to let sites check for this when you visit. Unchecking this item means entering the details manually.
Wrapping Up
Maintaining the privacy and security of your data is your responsibility. Mac computers have tools to help you conceal sensitive data and activities. Leverage these tools to unlock privacy.
