Full guide on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard security configuration

This guide provides an overview of features in Mac OS X that you can use to enhance security and harden your computer. In the paper, you can read instructions and recommendations for securing Mac OS X version 10.5 or later, and for maintaining a secure computer.

Download the PDF guide: Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard security configuration.

What’s in This Guide

This guide can assist you in securing a client computer. It does not provide information about securing servers. For help securing computers running Mac OS X Server v10.5 or later, see Mac OS X Server Security Configuration. This guide includes the following chapters:

• Chapter 1 – “Introduction to Mac OS X Security Architecture,” explains the infrastructure of Mac OS X. It also discusses the layers of security in Mac OS X.
• Chapter 2 – “Installing Mac OS X,” describes how to securely install Mac OS X. The chapter also discusses how to securely install software updates and explains permissions and how to repair them.
• Chapter 3 – “Protecting System Hardware,” explains how to physically protect your hardware from attacks. This chapter also tells you how to secure settings that affect users of the computer.
• Chapter 4 – “Securing Global System Settings,” describes how to secure global system settings such as firmware and Mac OS X startup. There is also information on setting up system logs to monitor system activity.
• Chapter 5 – “Securing Accounts,” describes the types of user accounts and how to securely configure an account. This includes securing the system administrator account, using Open Directory, and using strong authentication.
• Chapter 6 – “Securing System Preferences,” describes recommended settings to secure Mac OS X system preferences.
• Chapter 7 – “Securing Data and Using Encryption,” describes how to encrypt data and how to use Secure Erase to verify that old data is completely removed.
• Chapter 8 – “Securing System Swap and Hibernation Storage,” describes how to secure your system swap and hibernation space of sensitive information.
• Chapter 9 – “Avoiding Multiple Simultaneous Account Access,” describes how to avoid fast user switching and local account access to the computer.
• Chapter 10 – “Ensuring Data Integrity with Backups,” describes the Time Machine architecture and how to securely backup and restore your computer and data.
• Chapter 11 – “Information Assurance with Applications,” describes how to protect your data while using Apple applications.
• Chapter 12 – “Information Assurance with Services,” describes how to secure your computer services. It also describes how to protect the computer by securely configuring services.

Once again, the download link is over here: Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard security configuration.