CompTIA A+ Core Certification: A Simple Guide To Operating Systems - macOS

Common Features and Tools of the macOS/Desktop OS
220-1102: Objective 1.10: Identify common features and tools of the macOS/desktop OS.

Although macOS is far less common than Windows in some corporate environments, macOS is very popular in educational and creative workplaces. To be a well-rounded computer technician, it is important to understand how the operating system differs from Windows and be able to perform basic commands and maintenance procedures.

Installation and Uninstallation of Applications
The install and uninstall processes for macOS applications are fairly straightforward. The following sections describe the file types and process steps.

File Types
Mac uses a fairly straightforward process for installing and uninstalling files that differs from the installation wizard found in Windows.

The install file types used in the macOS are as follows:
- .dmg (Disk Image) files: Downloading a .dmg file is similar to downloading a complete installation kit for an application—similar to an ISO file in Windows. Everything necessary is contained in the file, including installation scripts and application files. Simply dragging a file to the hard drive ensures all necessary files are present. This drag-and-drop action completes all the installation tasks, similar to the installation wizard in the Windows environment. When the installation is complete, the .dmg file can be safely deleted.
- .pkg: These are compressed installation files and scripts, similar to the .zip files that the macOS uses for Mac software installs. The installation files are in the .pkg file, and there is no need to drag and drop them.
- .app: This file extension indicates that a file holds an executable application that will run on the macOS. The folder also holds information such as icons and other properties that the OS uses to make it functional.

App Store
The App Store is the online market platform for Apple-approved applications. A user can purchase and download apps for the computer or iPhone and tablets and be sure that Apple has vetted the code for quality and security.
macOS has a variety of options for system updates in the App Store section of System Preferences. The App Store can be configured to automatically check for updates for apps and macOS, automatically install updates, and download apps installed on other macOS devices under the same user account.
To avoid confusion, note that the Apple Store is a place to purchase hardware (phones, computers, accessories, and services); the App Store is for purchasing applications.
Uninstallation Process
Uninstalling apps from a Mac computer is not a complicated process. From the Finder menu, access the Applications folder. Locate the application to be deleted and drag it to the trash.

Another method is to select the Launchpad from the Dock. This displays all applications on the desktop; ones that can be quickly deleted show an X in the upper-left corner of their icon. Simply click the X and confirm (see Figure).


Uninstalling from the Mac Launchpad (Third Icon from the Top on the Dock)

These quick methods do not completely uninstall files from the several different places app information is stored. The easiest way to do that is with third-party software such as CleanMyMac.

Apple ID and Corporate Restrictions
Apple ID is the authentication process used to make sure authorized users are accessing the App Store and making software purchases. The Apple ID crosses platforms, and a user account can be used for purchases and access on an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac computer.
Corporations can also have Apple ID accounts that they can assign to employees. The key difference between the personal account and the corporate account is that an administrator in the corporate environment can restrict access to the software and services when the user is working in the corporate environment.

Best Practices
Best practices on a Mac are not different from those on any other OS. At one time, Apple computers were thought to be less vulnerable to virus infections, but that is no longer true. These steps should seem familiar by now.

Backups
A full backup backs up the entire contents of the computer or selected drive to another local or network location. A backup program can create a compressed file to store backed-up information. With this type of backup, the backup program must run a restore utility to make the files usable again. Another type of backup program simply copies backup files to a different location, where they can be opened by the operating system.
Most backup programs can also run an incremental backup, which backs up only the files that have been created or changed after the last full backup.

Backup features to look for include the following:
- Compression: This reduces the amount of file space and also often decreases the amount of time needed to make a backup.
- Support for incremental as well as full backups: Good backup practice calls for periodic full backups, followed by backups of files that changed since the last full backup (incremental backups).
- Local and network backup destinations: Some backup utilities require additional configuration before a network backup can be performed.
macOS includes the Time Machine backup utility that must be configured and running to be useful in case data is lost.

To enable and configure Time Machine, follow these steps:
Step 1. Connect a suitable external disk to a macOS system.
Step 2. When prompted, click Use As Backup Disk. You can also check the Encrypt Backup Disk box to protect the backup (see Figure).


Selecting an External Disk for Use with Time Machine

Step 3. If you selected the option to encrypt your backup in step 2, enter a password, confirm it, and enter a password hint. Click Encrypt Disk (see Figure).


Encrypting the Time Machine Disk

Step 4. Make sure Time Machine is turned on (see Figure). After the selected disk is encrypted, the backup starts.


Creating a Backup with Time Machine

Time Machine is designed to back up user files automatically. However, to create a disk image that can be restored in case of disaster, use Disk Utility.

Antivirus/Anti-malware Updates
It was once widely believed that the macOS was immune to viruses and malware. Although macOS is not targeted nearly as much as Windows, an unprotected macOS computer can be used as an infection vector for Windows machines that connect to it.
ClamAV (www.clamav.net) is an open source antivirus app available for both macOS and Linux. Scans and updates can be automated with cron, and a GUI front end known as ClamTK is available. Well-known antivirus software usually has macOS versions as well as Linux and Windows versions.
Antivirus and anti-malware apps should be updated at least daily.

Updates/Patches
macOS has a variety of options for system updates in the Software Update section of System Preferences (see Figure 6-53). The preferences can be configured to automatically check for updates for apps and macOS, automatically install updates, and download apps installed on other macOS devices under the same user account.


The Software Update App from the System Preferences Menu

When updating software, the Mac or other device must be plugged into AC power. After downloading and installing the update, a password, fingerprint, or face ID is required after restarting.

System Preferences
The System Preferences settings on a Mac can be accessed by selecting the gearwheel icon on the Dock or by using the Apple menu and selecting System Preferences.

Figure below shows an example of the System Preferences menu.


The Systems Preferences Menu. The Red Number over the Software Update Indicates That a New Update Is Available (and That Auto-Updates Have Not Yet Been Configured).

The System Preferences menu varies, depending on the user and the apps installed. However, finding a particular setting is greatly simplified with the search menu in the upper right. This menu is intuitive: Simply typing one or two letters of a setting highlights the preference that needs to be opened to change settings.

Some key preferences highlighted in the A+ objectives are as follows:
- Displays: Configuration of a display’s settings, such as brightness and Night Shift, which warms the colors of a display in the evenings for potential sleep improvement.
- Network: Settings for Wi-Fi management, TCP/IP, DNS, and other network settings. Also has auto-join settings for commonly accessed networks.
- Printers & Scanners: Preferences for printers, print sharing, and scanning.
- Security and Privacy: Control over location services (see Figure 6-55). When enabled, the settings indicate which apps have used location services in the past 24 hours. Security services include firewall settings, FileVault (which automatically encrypts data on the disk), and password controls.


Privacy Settings in the Security & Privacy Menu

To change settings or to access advanced settings, the lock in the lower left must be unlocked with a password (or biometric) before you can make changes; it must then be relocked to apply the settings.
- Accessibility: Settings to configure the Mac to adapt to the user’s vision, hearing, motor, and other requirements for ease of use.
- Time Machine: See the Time Machine coverage in the previous section.

Features
macOS has a devoted following of users, and one reason is the many shortcuts and features included in the desktop experience. The A+ objectives feature the nine discussed here, but there are many more to be discovered:
- Multiple desktops: Users are not limited to one desktop for work. Several can be in use at one time, with workspaces running different applications (see the top of Figure 6-55). These desktops can be navigated by swiping up with three or four fingers on the trackpad, using the Control key with the left or right arrows, or using Mission Control.
- Mission Control: Mission Control facilitates a display of all open windows, available desktops, and other settings. Among these settings is the capability to use hot corners, in which mousing over a chosen corner of the screen opens a shortcut to a preselected feature, such as the Launchpad or Quick Notes.

Figure below depicts Mission Control (opened with the shortcut of Ctrl+up arrow).


Privacy Mission Control, Displaying Available Desktops, the Dock, and Any Open Windows

- Keychain: This encrypted container on the Mac stores passwords, usernames, account numbers, and other private information. It provides security and ease when accessing sites that require authentication. Keychain works across platforms, so an update on a Mac updates the information in an iPhone on the same account.
- Spotlight: This is a highly intuitive search engine for documents, text references, and more. It does not reside on the desktop, but you can access it instantly by pressing Cmd+spacebar. Spotlight can be configured to search up to 18 different topics and areas, such as apps, documents, music libraries, and definitions. It can also be configured to not search items in the privacy settings.
- iCloud: iCloud is the Apple shared cloud storage product. For a monthly or annual fee, users can store documents and photos. iCloud is not confined to Mac users; it is available to Windows and Linux users as well.
- Gestures: This feature allows for an enhanced haptic- or touch-based mouse experience, with different configurable responses for swiping with one, two, or three fingers; using pinching motions; and so on. The gestures are configured under the Track Pad settings in System Preferences.
- Finder: The Finder is the key file management tool in the macOS. It provides a look at folders and subfolders (see Figure 6-57). In the figure, the Finder icon is highlighted on the Dock and then opened to Applications. The application subfolders display information and an installation .dmg file for the app.


The Finder

- Remote Disc: On earlier Macs, this feature allowed a device without an optical drive to access an optical drive on another computer. It was removed in 2019 with the Catalina 10.15 macOS update. On older Macs that have the Remote Disc feature, use the Finder to open the Remote Disc and then select the Mac or Windows computer that is sharing the optical drive. It plays as if it were locally attached.
- Dock: The Dock is the quick launch bar on a Mac, similar to the taskbar in Windows. It can be configured to launch apps or open folders or documents. It can be positioned on either side or the bottom of the desktop. Figure 6-57 has the Dock on the left, accessing subfolders in the Applications folder. When the cursor is over the Dock icons the icon information is displayed.

Disk Utility
Disk Utility, shown in Figure below, allows for disk and file management in macOS. It creates blank disk images that can be used as containers for other files, including image backups. It also erases non-macOS drives and prepares them for use with macOS. Repairing, restoring, and mounting disks is also possible. Partitioning can happen here, but since iOS 10.13, Apple File System (APFS) formatted volumes automatically adjust as needed.


APFS Disk Utility
Disk Utility is most easily accessed using Spotlight, the Launchpad, or Finder and searching for Disk Utility. To start Disk Utility at startup, press and hold Cmd+R until it starts.

FileVault
The FileVault tab enables and disables (with a password or biometric authentication) the automatic encryption of data on the computer.
During setup, a recovery key is created in case the password is lost. If both the password and the key are lost, the data is permanently lost as well.
 

Terminal
macOS includes a powerful Terminal app that opens a command-line environment. The macOS Terminal utility is used to run commands, scripts, and programs without a GUI. Terminal has its roots in a UNIX shell and can be used to manage other computers on a network. Figure 6-59 depicts Terminal monitoring the top processes on a running Mac.


Terminal on Mac

Force Quit
The Force Quit feature in macOS enables the user to shut down a malfunctioning app.
To open the Force Quit application from the keyboard, press Cmd+Option+Esc.
Force Quit can also be started from the menu bar: Open the Apple menu and select Force Quit. You can also point at the app’s icon in the Dock (at the bottom of the screen) and either right-click or click and hold it to bring up a menu with Quit as an option. From the Force Quit menu, select the app to stop (see Figure).


Using Force Quit in macOS