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Mac Security Guide

Strengthening Your Mac Security: A Complete Guide to Admin and Standard Accounts

When it comes to computer security, one of the most effective yet often overlooked strategies is the principle of least privilege. This means using only the minimum level of system access necessary for your daily tasks. On macOS, this translates to a simple but powerful practice: using a Standard user account for everyday computing and reserving administrator privileges for when they're truly needed.

In this guide, I'll walk you through the complete process of setting up a secure account structure on your Mac, including creating a dedicated administrator account and converting your regular account to Standard privileges.

Why This Matters for Your Security

Before we dive into the technical steps, let's understand why this approach is so important:

Reduced Attack Surface

When you operate with standard user privileges, malware and malicious software that might infiltrate your system are limited in what they can do. They can't install system-wide modifications, create new admin accounts, or access protected system files.

Protection from Mistakes

We all make mistakes. Running as a standard user means that accidental deletions, incorrect system modifications, or poorly-vetted software installations have limited impact on your system.

Intentional Administrative Actions

When you need to perform administrative tasks, macOS will explicitly prompt you for credentials. This pause creates a moment for you to consider whether the action you're taking is legitimate and expected.

Step 1: Creating a Dedicated Administrator Account

First, you'll need to create a separate administrator account. This account should be used exclusively for administrative tasks, not for everyday computing.

For macOS Ventura (13.0) and Later

  1. Click the Apple menu (🍎) in the top-left corner of your screen
  2. Select System Settings
  3. Click Users & Groups in the sidebar
  4. You'll need to unlock the settings first. Click the lock icon at the bottom of the window and enter your current administrator password
  5. Click Add Account...
  6. From the New Account dropdown menu, select Administrator
  7. Fill in the account information:
    • Full Name: Consider using something like "Admin Account" or "System Administrator" to make its purpose clear
    • Account Name: This is the username (for example, "admin" or "sysadmin")
    • Password: Use a strong, unique password (at least 15 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols)
    • Verify: Re-enter the password
    • Password Hint: Optional but recommended. Make it helpful without being too revealing
  8. Click Create User

For macOS Monterey (12.0) and Earlier

  1. Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences
  2. Click Users & Groups
  3. Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your administrator password
  4. Click the + (plus) button below the user list
  5. Select Administrator from the New Account dropdown
  6. Complete the account information as described above
  7. Click Create User

Step 2: Converting Your Regular Account to Standard Privileges

Now comes the crucial part. You cannot change your own account privileges while logged into it, so this process requires you to switch accounts temporarily.

The Process

  1. Log out of your current account (Apple menu > Log Out)
  2. Log in to the new administrator account you just created
  3. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions)
  4. Navigate to Users & Groups
  5. Click the lock icon and authenticate if prompted
  6. Select your regular user account from the list on the left
  7. Uncheck the box labeled "Allow user to administer this computer"
  8. Log out of the admin account
  9. Log back in to your regular account (which is now a Standard account)

That's it! Your everyday account now operates with standard user privileges.

How Your New Setup Works

With this configuration in place, here's what your daily workflow looks like:

Normal Computing

Use your Standard account for all everyday activities including web browsing, email, document editing, media consumption, and general productivity tasks.

When Administrative Access is Needed

Whenever you attempt to install software, modify system settings, or perform other privileged operations, macOS will present a dialog asking for administrator credentials. Simply enter the username and password of your admin account.

Administrative Tasks

For extended administrative sessions like system maintenance, software updates, or configuration changes, you can temporarily log into your admin account.

Security Best Practices

To maximize the security benefits of this setup, follow these recommendations:

Protect Your Admin Account

  • Strong Password: Your admin account password should be significantly stronger than your standard account password. Consider using a passphrase of 20+ characters.
  • Password Manager: Store the admin credentials in a reputable password manager like 1Password, Bitwarden, or Keeper.
  • Limited Use: Resist the temptation to use the admin account for casual browsing or email checking.

Additional Security Measures

  • Enable FileVault: Full-disk encryption protects your data if your Mac is lost or stolen. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault and turn it on.
  • Keep Admin Accounts Minimal: Only create administrator accounts for users who genuinely need them. Each additional admin account is a potential security vulnerability.
  • Regular Updates: Keep macOS and all applications updated. Most updates can be performed from a Standard account, though some system updates may require admin credentials.
  • Consider Hiding the Admin Account: Advanced users can hide the admin account from the login screen for additional security. This requires some Terminal commands and should only be done if you're comfortable with the command line.

Monitor for Credential Requests

Pay attention when macOS asks for administrator credentials. Ask yourself:

  • Did I initiate this action?
  • Is this request expected for what I'm trying to do?
  • Does the dialog look legitimate, or could it be a phishing attempt?

If a credential request seems suspicious or unexpected, click Cancel and investigate further.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"I forgot my admin password"

If you're locked out of your admin account, you may need to use macOS Recovery (Command-R at startup) to reset it. This is one reason why password managers are so valuable.

"An app won't work properly with a Standard account"

While rare with modern software, some older or poorly-designed applications may expect administrator privileges. In these cases, you can right-click the app, select "Get Info," and adjust permissions, though be cautious about running such applications regularly.

"It's annoying to enter credentials constantly"

If you find yourself frequently entering admin credentials for the same task, you might reconsider whether that task should require admin access. However, the minor inconvenience is a small price to pay for significantly improved security.

Conclusion

Implementing a Standard account for daily use with a separate administrator account for privileged operations is one of the most effective security improvements you can make to your Mac. This approach follows the principle of least privilege and creates multiple layers of defense against malware, social engineering, and user error.

The initial setup takes just a few minutes, but the ongoing security benefits last as long as you maintain this practice. Your future self, potentially saved from a malware infection or accidental system misconfiguration, will thank you for taking these steps today.

Remember: good security doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest practices, consistently applied, provide the strongest protection.

Disclaimer: The steps given may change when the OS is upgraded. Please confirm each step in case there is a change to the wording of options, etc.