Theo Brandt
8 published guides
SecurityHow to Turn On FileVault on Mac (Full-Disk Encryption)
FileVault makes a powered-off Mac unreadable to anyone without your password. Turning it on takes two minutes — the recovery key is the part to get right.
NetworkingHow to Set Up a VPN on Mac (Built-In and App-Based)
macOS has native VPN support under Network settings, but most commercial providers ship an app instead. Here is both routes, and an honest account of what a VPN protects.
NetworkingHow to Find Your IP Address on Mac (Local and Public)
Your Mac has two IP addresses and they answer different questions. Here is how to find each, and which one someone is actually asking for.
How-ToHow to Change Your Password on Mac (Login and Apple Account)
Your Mac login password and your Apple Account password are different things. Here is how to change each, and what happens to FileVault and your keychain.
How-ToHow to Hide Files on Mac (And When Hiding Is Not Enough)
Press Command-Shift-Period to reveal hidden files, or use chflags to hide your own. But hidden is not private — here is when you need encryption instead.
NetworkingHow to Find the MAC Address of a Laptop (Mac, Windows, Linux)
Your laptop has a separate MAC address for Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Here is how to find the right one on macOS, Windows, and Linux — with and without the command line.
NetworkingWhat Is a MAC Address? (And How It Differs From an IP)
A MAC address is the hardware ID burned into every network adapter. Here is what the 12 characters mean, why it is not an IP address, and what it reveals about you.
SecurityHow to Check for Malware on Mac (Without Paying for Anything)
Real Mac malware is rare; adware and browser hijackers are not. Here is how to check for an actual infection using tools already built into macOS.