How to Use Mac OS Panther Security Features

There are a variety of ways and means that Apple has provided to make your computing experience safe and secure. With predators proliferating across the Internet and hackers always hard at work making new kinds of techno-trouble, keeping your computer (and your data) safe is a task that cannot be ignored or put off. However, with Mac OS Panther, Apple has addressed some of the most pressing concerns by creating easy to use security features designed to keep your information safe.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Use Mac OS Panther Security Features

1. Start up "System Preferences" from the Mac OS Panther menu, "Applications" folder or the "Dock."

2. Select "Security" from the topmost group ("Personal"). It is located at the far right of the icon list and is accessed with a single click on the icon.

3. Review the top section (the upper half of the "Security" window). You will be informed if you do or do not have "File Vault" enabled.

4. Make your choices about setting a "Master Password" and whether or not to use "File Vault" before leaving the top half of the window.

5. Review the features available in the bottom half of the "Security" window. You can choose to require a password to wake your Mac from sleep or screen saver, require a password to unlock any secure preference, disable automatic logins and set the computer to log out after a certain period of inactivity.

6. Exit "Security" by closing its window (Command-W from the keyboard, or click the red close button at the upper left of the window) if you want to leave "System Preferences" running. Alternatively, you can exit "Security" and "Quit" the "System Preferences" application with a Command-Q keyboard command or by selecting "Quit" from the "System Preferences" menu.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your security settings right away, when first setting up Mac OS Panther. If you have not yet checked the "Security" settings within "System Preferences," do so without further delay.
• Your login password is also your "File Vault" password, but you can set up a new "Master Password" as a backup (or what Apple calls a "safety net") password, which will open any "File Vault"-encrypted contents.
• If you only want to access "File Vault" settings, the "Security" tab in the "Accounts" area of "System Preferences" displays just the top half of the full "Security" window that you access through "System Preferences."
• Do not forget both your "Master Password" or your "Account" password or you could lose all of your security-encrypted data.