System Preference

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Recommended Changes

Desktop & ScreenSaver

The University highly recommends the screen saver to turn on within 15 minutes or less and be password protected. If you are delayed from getting back to your workstation, your data will be protected from prying eyes.

You can also set hot corners to prevent someone who has unexpectedly walked in from viewing your screen.

Screensaver password protection is located in the Security preference panel.

Dock

General

Security > General

Recommended Settings:

• Require password immediately after sleep or screen saver begins.

• Require an administrator password to access system preferences with lock icons = checked

• Log out after 60 minutes of inactivity = unchecked

• Show a message when the screen is locked = optional

• Automatically update safe downloads list = Checked

• Disable remote control infrared receiver = optional

Security > File Vault

More from Apple....

• Great for use on portable systems where physical security can't be guaranteed.

• If the password is lost, there is NO way to recover it.

• Not recommended for use with Directory accounts as the passwords don't always sync.

Security > Firewall

Security > Firewall > Advanced

• Block all incoming connections on and select which applications are allowed in through that preference pane.

NEXT BEST OPTION

• Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections = On

Spotlight

Place confidential folders in the Privacy area if you need to keep them on your hard drive. However, remember that anyone can remove them from the Privacy area. No authentication is required in this pane so someone can remove them and then do a search.

Consider disabling top-level folders that contain these folders like your Documents folder or ~/Library/Mail for apple mail contents.

By default, the entire system is available for searches so use the privacy area for protection.

CDs & DVDs

The default settings of the CDs & DVDs preference pane will automatically launch a program assigned within it. If the item contains any malicious actions, they will automatically be launched and the system compromised. Best practice is to set all actions to Ignore.

Displays

Use caution when enabling mirroring which might expose private data to others.

Energy Saver

Configure the computer so it only wakes when you physically access it. Do not set it to restart after a power failure.

MobileMe

Should only be used for accounts that don't have access to critical data. Avoid enabling MobileMe for administrator or root user accounts. 

Leave all options blank.

Network

Its recommended that you disable unused hardware devices in the list. From the list, select the device you don't use. Click the action button below the list and select "Make Service Inactive".

Sharing

Turn all services off unless necessary.

Bluetooth

If you are not using Bluetooth, turn it off.

Date & Time

Correct date and time settings are critical especially for those machines that are on the domain or user Kerberos. Incorrect date and times can cause security issues. Make sure "Set data and time automatically" is checked.

Startup Disk

Always have at least one item selected. If there is not something selected, sometimes your system will choose for you. A "?" might appear at startup while it searches for a bootable disk.

Users & Groups

Turn all guest access off.