Skip to content

iMac & Macbook Hardening Guide

Here is the MacBook & iMac hardening guide.

Desktop Security · MacBook & iMac

Desktop Hardening

MacBook & iMac Hardening Guide

A step-by-step configuration reference for reducing your device’s digital exposure. Each setting reflects best practices for principals, family members, and anyone in a high-visibility role.

Note: If an app has access to contacts, photos, microphone, or camera and shouldn’t — remove access immediately.

Privacy & Security 01
Settings › Privacy & Security
Location services › App access
Confirm Apps
Significant locations
Turn Off and Clear History
Full disk access
Confirm Nothing Has Access
Contacts access
Confirm Apps
Microphone access
Confirm Apps
Photos access
Confirm Apps
Camera access
Remove access for any app that shouldn’t have it
Confirm Apps
Analytics & Improvements
Share Mac analytics
Turn Off
Improve Siri & Dictation
Turn Off
Share with app developers
Turn Off
Apple Advertising
Apple advertising
Turn All Off
Network & Users 02
Settings › Network
Firewall
Turn On
Settings › Users & Groups
Guest user
Turn Off
FileVault & Touch ID 03
Settings › Privacy & Security › FileVault
FileVault
Turn On
Settings › Touch ID & Password
Touch ID options
Confirm Choices for Touch ID
Apple ID & iCloud 04
Settings › [Your Name]
Sign-in & security › Trusted phone number
Review
Two-factor authentication
Turn On
Devices on Apple account
Remove Unknown / Old Devices
iCloud backup
Turn On
Private relay (iCloud+)
Turn On
Advanced data protection (iCloud+)
Turn On
Data access on iCloud.com
Turn On
Background Security
Background security improvements
Automatically install
Turn On
Take It With You
Download the Full PDF Guide

Save a printable, offline copy of the MacBook & iMac Hardening Guide for your principals, family members, and team. Share it. Reference it. Apply it.

Download PDF