Founder & Lead Developer at CoreLock
I build Mac security software for a living. CoreLock started because I got frustrated with security tools that show you a wall of alerts with zero context — you'd see "threat detected" with no idea if it was actually dangerous or just a normal macOS process doing its job.
My background is in systems programming and macOS internals. I've spent years digging into LaunchAgents, XProtect, Gatekeeper, and the TCC privacy framework. I write about what I learn — partly to help other Mac users, partly because explaining things is how I make sure I actually understand them.
When I'm not writing code or blog posts, I'm probably reading Objective-See's latest research or arguing with someone online about whether Macs need antivirus.
Endpoint hardening, Gatekeeper, SIP, XProtect internals
AI-powered threat detection and process monitoring
Permission analysis, data flow tracking, camera/mic access
YARA rules, hash detection, network forensics on macOS
Check System Settings > General > Sharing for Screen Sharing, Remote Management and Remote Login, then run who and lsof in Terminal. What each one means.
Your camera's green light flickered on when you weren't on a call. Here's how to check if your Mac camera is hacked, calmly, with real steps.
If your employer owns the Mac, it's likely managed. Check Device Management, the Privacy & Security lists and login items to see what is installed.
Most of the time it's nothing, but macOS lets you check. Here's where to look, what each sign means, and which settings to lock down.
The green light means an app is using your Mac's camera right now. Open Control Center to see which app, then check Privacy & Security > Camera.
Keychain is the encrypted store on your Mac for passwords, Wi-Fi keys and certificates. How it works, how malware gets in, and 6 ways to protect it.
A free Mac security scan checks processes, permissions, and network connections — and it usually surfaces things most people don't know are running on their own machine. Here's what it looks at and what it commonly finds.
Developers switching between macOS and Linux often ask which is more secure. The answer depends on what you're protecting against and how much effort you're willing to invest.
Apple Intelligence processes some AI features on your Mac and sends others to Apple's servers. Here's exactly what stays local, what goes to the cloud, and what it means for your privacy.
Downloaded an app from a sketchy website last week? That sinking feeling in your stomach isn't paranoia — it's your instincts telling you something's off....
The VPN industry has convinced half the internet that browsing without one is like walking through a minefield blindfolded. Turn on YouTube, and you'll see...
Zero-day vulnerabilities are security flaws that get exploited before Apple can patch them. Here's what they are, why they matter, and what you can do when one hits macOS.
Give your child a standard account, then set up Screen Time and Ask to Buy. Which Mac parental controls hold up, and which a teenager can get around.
Claude Code runs in your Terminal with access to your files, network, and system commands. It's an incredible tool — but here's how to use it safely.
The short answer is no, your Mac isn't automatically safe from ransomware. But honestly, the real story here is way more interesting than the simple...
That Chrome extension you installed three years ago? It might have been sold to a new owner, injected with adware, or is quietly reading every page you visit. Here's what to do about it.
Back up, then use Erase All Content and Settings in System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset. Older Macs: sign out, then erase from macOS Recovery.
Check a Mac for malware free: update macOS so XProtect stays current, review Login Items and LaunchAgents, check Activity Monitor, then run a free scan.
Developers have the most powerful — and most vulnerable — Macs. SSH keys, API tokens, full disk access for Terminal, npm packages running arbitrary code. Here are the mistakes that put you at risk.
Open System Settings > Network, click your connection, then Details > DNS, and add 1.1.1.1 or 9.9.9.9. What a new DNS server hides, and what it doesn't.
You don't need to be a security expert to protect your Mac. These 7 quick changes take less than 5 minutes and dramatically improve your security.
State-sponsored groups like Lazarus and BlueNoroff are actively targeting Mac users with sophisticated malware. Here's how the attacks work and how to protect yourself.
Mac malware isn't what it used to be. While Windows users were getting hammered by ransomware and banking trojans five years ago, Mac users mostly dealt...
Security researchers found zero-click, wormable vulnerabilities in Apple's AirPlay protocol. Here's what AirBorne means for your Mac and what you should do about it.
Check Input Monitoring and Accessibility in Privacy & Security, then your LaunchAgents, processes and network connections. Six checks, with the commands.
Open Activity Monitor's Network tab, or run sudo lsof -i -P -n in Terminal, to see which processes are connecting. How to tell normal traffic from odd.
sudo runs one Terminal command as the root user after you type an admin password. When a Mac needs it, what it can't override, and which commands to avoid.
AirDrop feels like magic until you start thinking about the security implications. You're essentially allowing nearby devices to beam files directly to your...
The Model Context Protocol lets AI agents use tools on your Mac. But MCP servers can access your files, network, and system — with almost no security controls. Here's the full picture.
Is CleanMyMac safe? Check it yourself in a few minutes: is your copy signed and notarized, which permissions it holds, and what it sends off your Mac.
Infostealers are the fastest-growing Mac threat in 2026. They target your passwords, cookies, crypto wallets, and Keychain — often in under 30 seconds. Here's what you need to know.
Open Activity Monitor's Network tab to see which apps are sending and receiving data. For more detail, use nettop and lsof in Terminal, or LuLu.
Prompt injection is how attackers hijack AI agents — hidden instructions in emails, web pages, and documents that turn your agent against you. Here's how it works and how to stay safe.
Yes, for most people. The Mac firewall blocks unwanted incoming connections, which matters most on public Wi-Fi. How to turn it on and what it won't stop.
OpenClaw, Claude Code, MCP tools — AI agents are powerful, but they have full access to your Mac. This is the definitive guide to running them safely.
The macOS firewall is probably turned off on your Mac right now. Most people never touch it, and honestly, that's not necessarily wrong. But if you're...
Yes: update and app checks, iCloud sync, and analytics if you opted in. What each one sends, how to see it, and the System Settings switches for each.
Hundreds of malicious skills have been found in the OpenClaw ecosystem. They can execute arbitrary code on your Mac the moment you install them. Here's what's happening and how to stay safe.
XProtect is the malware scanner built into every Mac, and XProtect Remediator removes known malware. What they catch, what they miss, what antivirus adds.
Your Mac is constantly talking to the internet, even when you think it's just sitting there doing nothing. Some of these conversations are perfectly normal...
ClickFix tricks you into running malicious Terminal commands by pretending to fix a problem. It's spreading fast in 2026, and your Mac's built-in security won't stop it.
Full Disk Access lets a Mac app read Mail, Messages, Safari data and other protected files. Which apps need it, which don't, and how to check yours.
Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording to see which apps may record your screen. What it allows and what to turn off.
Apple has patched hundreds of security vulnerabilities in macOS Sequoia this year. Here's what was fixed, what was exploited in the wild, and what it means for your Mac's security.
CoreLock is a security-first tool, not a cleanup tool. Here is what CoreLock does and does not cover, and what to look for in a Mac optimizer. For CleanMyMac's own features and pricing, see its website.
Run codesign -dv and spctl -a -vv in Terminal to see who signed a Mac app and whether Apple notarized it. What the output means and what to do next.
Your Mac might have malware right now and you'd never know. Here are the actual free methods to check — not vague advice, real steps with real tools.
Ten read-only Terminal commands for Mac security: network connections, user accounts, logins, SIP, Gatekeeper, background services, and what to look for.
Open System Settings > Privacy & Security to see which apps can use your camera, mic, screen and files. What each permission means and which to revoke.
How CoreLock, a Mac-only visibility tool, differs from an all-in-one security suite such as Norton 360, and who each kind of tool is for. For Norton's own features and pricing, see Norton's website.
Your Mac is slow, and it's almost always one process hogging resources. Here's how to find it and fix it in under 2 minutes.
AI agents have already leaked private conversations, attempted to drain crypto wallets, and deleted years of email. Here are the real incidents — and what every Mac user should learn from them.
OpenClaw gives AI agents full access to your Terminal, files, and network. That's powerful — and risky. Here's how to stay safe while using AI agents on macOS.
Look for device-management profiles you didn't install, apps with Screen Recording or Input Monitoring access, and unknown LaunchAgents. Step by step.
Your Mac probably has apps you never installed — buried in system folders, running as background agents, or invisible to Finder. Here's how to find every one of them.
A practical, no-fluff guide to securing your Mac in 2026. Real terminal commands, real System Settings paths, and honest advice about what's worth your time.
v0.8.0 brings one-click remediation, process management, auto-updates, and smarter threat detection. Here's everything new and why it matters for your Mac's security.
Skip the generic advice. This step-by-step guide covers manual removal, safe mode scanning, and verifying your Mac is fully clean afterward.
These 9 macOS settings take 5 minutes to change and close the biggest security gaps Apple leaves open by default. Step-by-step guide included.
Some, yes: update and app checks, iCloud sync, analytics if you opted in, and apps' own analytics. How to see what's connecting and turn down the rest.
Usually not. XProtect, Gatekeeper and SIP handle known malware and unsigned apps. What they miss, and what to add instead of a traditional antivirus.
The best free Mac security tools in 2026: Apple's built-ins, Malwarebytes Free, BlockBlock, KnockKnock, LuLu and CoreLock. What each covers and misses.
Unusual CPU spikes, unknown login items, and 3 other warning signs your Mac may be compromised. Includes a step-by-step fix for each one.
Traditional antivirus software was designed for a different era. Here's why it can't keep up with modern threats and what actually works.
Most Mac users have no idea how many apps can access their camera. Here's how to check, why it matters, and what to do about it.
You just unboxed a new Mac. It's completely clean, right? We ran a security scan on a fresh install and the results were eye-opening.
Neither is immune. macOS is stricter by default about apps and permissions; Windows has the fuller built-in antivirus. A side-by-side for 2026.
Your Mac runs hundreds of background processes, and most are normal macOS services. How to tell kernel_task and WindowServer from a process worth checking.
Mac cleaner apps such as CleanMyMac focus on housekeeping. Here is what to ask about any cleaner's security features, and what a dedicated security tool covers. For CleanMyMac's own features and pricing, see MacPaw's website.
Step-by-step guide to find every app with camera, microphone, and screen recording access on your Mac. Takes 2 minutes to check.