The new MacBook Pro with Retina Display (MBPr) doesn’t have a security slot for a locking cable. I wondered why, and so I visited my local Apple retail store for an explanation. I should also note that neither does the MacBook Air have a security slot. The side of the MacBook Air is very, very thin, and one can understand why there’s no room for the slot. The MacBook Pro Retina, however is just a little thicker, and it looks like there is indeed room for a slot.

But the normal size of that slot is misleading. The issue, it turns out, is not the size of the security slot in the vertical dimension (case depth). An Apple salesperson explained to me that, rather, it’s the depth of the case with respect to the size of the locking key when it’s inserted and turned 90 degrees. (That’s because of the T design of the tip. ) The case isn’t thick enough for the tip of the lock when it turns.

In fact, as the salesperson showed me, even the MagSafe connector had to be redesigned to be thinner. In contrast, the regular MacBook Pro is thick enough, and does have a conventional security slot.

I surmised that not only does there need to be room to turn the key 90 degrees, but there must also be enough metal surrounding the key for a solid, secure fit. Here’s a look at an older MacBook case. As you can see, there’s plenty of room for the lock to turn 90 degrees.

ImageCredit: On the other hand, here’s the edge of the MacBook Pro Retina at its thickest point. There’s quite a difference. Image Credit: How then does Apple secure these computers in the store?

For a long time, Apple has used a different system. It’s an electronic device, a small cylinder, on a cable that’s stuck to the Mac with an adhesive.

It’s a secure but not permanent bond, and it can be broken off with enough force. However, if it does come off, an alarm goes off in the store.

A Solution These MacBooks are beautiful, expensive items, and sometimes it’s necessary to secure them, say, in the office, a news room or a computer show. I asked the Apple salesman if Apple offers an alternative solution, some accessory, for securing a MacBook, and he wasn’t aware of one. Fortunately, TMO’s Jim Tanous knew about a company called that has a solution now for MacBook Airs — and soon for the MacBook Pro with Retina.

Lockdown Security For Mac Download

It’s called a Security Skin. Maclocks describes the MBPr solution “Maclocks security cover (patent pending) is a simple, yet clever solution which incorporates a security slot into the actual MacBook Pro cover (Only adds 0.35 lbs when using the lower skin and 0.7 lbs when using it as a shell). A similar solution is offered for the MacBook Air.” Image Credit: MacLocks.com Engineering these MacBooks always involves trade-offs. In this case, it’s size, weight and convenience versus security. It’s nice to see a company like Maclocks offer an innovative solution that can help with that trade-off. Reader Ben Rosenthal identified that Mac as 12-inch PowerBook.

Security software isn't just about protecting your PC; it's about protecting all the personal information you store on your laptop or transmit over the Internet. An antivirus app is a good place to start, but most security suites come with a whole toolbox of options for fighting a variety of threats. Here's what you need to know to choose the best security software for Windows or Mac. It might be worth paying for security apps Free antivirus apps and VPNs can be very effective and may have all the horsepower you need. However, the software developers have to make money somehow - your free app may come with ads, for example, or you may be nagged to upgrade to the paid version. Beyond nuisance, though, some apps may actually create privacy issues instead of solving them. Check an app's policies and reviews before you download it.

We recommend Avira, a free antivirus suite with a relatively laid-back sales pitch. At the other end of the privacy spectrum, Hola VPN is a cautionary tale. A VPN (virtual private network) gives you encrypted access to the Internet. The VPN connects you to a VPN server in a country of your choice, which then connects to your online destination in a way that makes it look like your computer is located in that country. This is handy for accessing websites and content that are regionally blocked. In June of 2015, researchers alleged that the free version of Hola VPN was selling its users' bandwidth to premium users, essentially making free users the VPN server for paying customers.

Lockdown Security For Macbook Air

This is a problem because the free user has no control over what other users did with that bandwidth, including whether they were engaging in illegal activity. Thankfully, this kind of scenario appears to be an extreme example. However, you may deal with companies that want to sell your user data to cover their costs. As a result, it's a good idea to check the EULA (end-user license agreement) during installation for vague language about how they handle your privacy, and to make sure that there are no pre-checked boxes that enable unwanted tracking or the installation of additional software. Figuring out what makes a good security app 'User experience' covers a lot of things.

First, if it's a paid antivirus program, how many users are covered by a single license or subscription, and does this include a mobile version? Second, sometimes an antimalware suite throws in a lot of extra utilities to give the impression that you're getting a lot of bang for your buck, like a file shredder and junk file deleter; don't be tricked into paying a premium for tools that you can get for free or that may be built into the operating system. Third, how easy is the program to use?

Let's say you want your antivirus program to do an automatic system scan every Tuesday at 3AM. How easy is it to find that setting, set the schedule, and confirm that your changes have been saved?

How many clicks does it take? If you get lost along the way, what tools does the interface use to get you back on track? If you want to know more about a particular technical term, is the tool for that informative and actually specific?

If you're using a free antivirus program, how aggressively does the interface try to make you upgrade to the paid version? No matter what questions you feel are important, it can be a helpful exercise to write down your own list of needs, and a list of behaviors that would make the program a non-starter. Passwords are a pain.

Good ones are hard to remember, so you have to write them down on something that could be lost, damaged, or stolen, or you use mental tricks that other people could figure out. But there's a Door #3: Password manager apps like LastPass that generate complicated passwords and enter them for you. All you need to remember is the master password used to access your library of online accounts - which you can protect with two-factor authentication. With 2FA, even someone who guesses your master password still needs your PIN code to confirm authorization, which changes every 30 seconds. Have a fingerprint sensor on your phone?

Lockdown Security For Mac Pro

You can also use that instead of your master password, when it's time to impress your friends and neighbors.