Learning how to manage application permissions on Mac is a crucial aspect of maintaining the security and privacy of your computer, since every time you install an application, it may request access to different resources and data on your system, such as the camera, microphone, files, or even your location.
In this article, we'll explore how to manage and revoke app permissions on your Mac to protect your personal information and ensure only trusted apps have access to your data. Go!
What are app permissions on Mac?
Application permissions are the authorizations you give to an application to access certain features or data on your Mac, that is, to what extent we allow them to access. These permissions are important because, without them, some applications would not be able to offer the functions they are designed to provide.
But, for example, if a word processor asks you for access to your GPS location and your webcam... Wouldn't that sound strange to you? That's why it's good to be clear that granting too many or unnecessary permissions can compromise your privacy and security.
Among the different permissions that are managed, the most notable are the following:
camera and microphone
Authorizes the use of the camera and microphone to capture video and audio. Revoking access for apps that don't need these permissions to function is important, because The webcam and microphone is one of the ways to record all types of intimacies. one's.
Location
Only apps that really need to know your location should have access to this information, since You could open the door to having your geolocation monitored remotely. with malware, for example.
Revoking location permission for unnecessary apps can protect your privacy and extend battery life.
Files and folders
This permission is responsible for allowing applications to read and write files on your system, as some applications require access to specific files or entire folders to function correctly.
However, it is important to ensure that only trusted applications have access to your personal files, to avoid unwanted information leaks.
Contacts and calendars
Communication and organization apps may need access to your contacts and calendars, but other apps probably don't. And it is something relatively critical since Contacts are the way to be able to carry out cyber scams, For example.
Notifications
Manage apps that can send notifications for avoid unnecessary distractions, since sometimes some tend to come with “gift malware” or some scam attempt, especially those that appear as pop-ups from internet browsers.
Only important apps or apps you use frequently should have permissions to send you notifications.
Why manage app permissions on Mac?
There are a few reasons why managing app permissions on Mac should be a priority as a user:
Protect your privacy
Some applications may request permissions that are not necessary for their operation and revoke them helps us protect the privacy of our information a little more.
And by having most of the computer equipment connected to the Internet basically all the time of use, we are opening certain doors to applications that are constantly sending information that perhaps does not interest us to their designer.
For example, a photo editing application should not need access to your contacts and if it does, be careful because its developer surely has a hidden interest in being able to use that information.
Prevent unauthorized access
By limiting permissions, you reduce the chance of a malicious app access sensitive data or control functions such as camera and microphone without your knowledge. This is something you can apply in conjunction with These other tips also related to security.
Improve system performance
Some applications that have access to multiple system resources can consume more power and resources, which affects the overall performance of your Mac, so with this you can earn extra consumption for your team.
How to manage app permissions on Mac
Apple provides a centralized system for managing app permissions on macOS, which you can access in the following steps entering System Preferences:
Accessing the Configurator.
In the System Preferences window, click on Security and privacy. And within the section of Privacy , you will see a list of categories in the left column, such as Location, Contacts, Calendar, Photos, Camera or Microphone.
Reviewing permissions by category
Select a category in the left column to see which apps have access to that specific resource.
To revoke access for an app, just uncheck the box next to the app and if you want to allow a previously revoked application to have access again, check the appropriate box.
Confirm changes with your Administrator password
To make changes to your permission settings, you may need to do Click the lock icon at the bottom left of the window and enter your administrator password, something useful to prevent unauthorized applications or users from making changes to your privacy settings.
Other ways to revoke app permissions on macOS
In addition to managing permissions from System Preferences, you can also manage some permissions directly from the Finder or from system applications, quickly and relatively intuitively, although admittedly with a smaller scope than from Settings.
From Finder (for Folders and Documents)
To revoke an app's access to certain specific folders or files, right click on the file or folder, select Get Info, and then manage the permissions under the section Sharing and permissions.
From Safari (For Browsing Data):
Safari allows you to manage which websites have access to your camera, microphone, and location directly from Safari > Preferences > Websites. Here you can adjust permissions for each website individually.