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Learn the step-by-step guide to managing user accounts on your Mac for better security and privacy.
If you share your Mac with family members or colleagues, creating separate user accounts can improve your security and privacy. Different users can have unique preferences, desktop settings, and app access. With an admin user account, you can also control users’ access to specific folders and files and set up parental controls for other users. This article explains how to create new users and groups, set up parental controls, manage data and permissions, and set a master password for password retrieval.
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Adding a New User to Your Mac
To add a new user, launch System Preferences and click on Users & Groups. Click on the plus sign at the bottom left corner of the main window and choose the type of user: administrator, standard, guest, sharing only, or group. Fill in the user’s name, choose an iCloud password or create a new password, and click Create user. To create a new group, select Group from the New Account menu and name it. Check the users you want to include in the group.
Setting Up Parental Controls for Your Users
To enable parental controls for a user, go to Users & Groups, click on the user in the left pane, and select the checkbox next to Enable Parental Controls. Click on Open Parental Controls to specify settings for various tabs, such as Time limits, Also Allow, Web, People, and Other. You can set time limits for computer use, restrict access to websites, prevent access to personal files by certain applications, and specify which applications the user can run.
Managing Data and Permissions for Users
To change the permissions of files or folders, go to Finder and open the file or folder. Press Command-I to get Info. Click on the arrow next to Sharing and Permissions at the bottom of the window. You’ll see a list of users who have permission to read or write that file. To change the permissions for a listed user or group of users, click in the Privilege column opposite the name of the user or group and select the appropriate right. You can also add a new user or group and specify their rights. If you want to give new users shared folder access, go to Sharing in System Preferences, select File Sharing, and drag the folder to the Shared Folders box. Click on the + button to add new users and set their privileges.
Setting a Master Password for Password Retrieval
To set a master password, go to Users & Groups and click on the gear at the bottom of the left pane. Click Set Master Password and enter the new password. You can now use this password to reset every user’s password if they forget it.
Customizing Your Login Options
In the Users & Groups preferences, click on Login Options. You can specify whether or not a user is automatically logged in when your Mac restarts and customize the login window and quick user change menu.
Managing user accounts on your Mac may seem daunting at first, but it’s crucial for your privacy and security. Once you’ve set up separate user accounts, you can customize individual preferences, settings, and permissions to ensure that everyone who uses your Mac is safe and secure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I delete a user account on my Mac?
A: Yes, you can delete a user account by selecting the user account in the Users & Groups preferences and clicking on the minus sign at the bottom of the list. You’ll be given the option to save or delete the user’s files before confirmation.
Q: What is the difference between an administrator user and a standard user?
A: An administrator user can make system-wide changes, install software, and manage other users, while a standard user is limited in their ability to make changes to the system.