Churches Have Always Used Macs—But Are They as Secure as You Think?

For decades, churches have favored Macs for their reliability, longevity, and ease of use. Whether managing worship presentations, handling administrative tasks, or producing multimedia content, Apple’s ecosystem has been the go-to for many ministries. Along with this preference, however, comes a false sense of security—a widespread belief that macOS is inherently safer than Windows and immune to cyber threats.

The reality is quite different. As more organizations, including churches, adopt Apple devices, cybercriminals are adapting, specifically targeting macOS systems. Without proper security measures in place, churches risk exposing sensitive donor information, financial records, and private communications to potential cyberattacks.

In today’s digital landscape, assuming a Mac is automatically secure is one of the most dangerous mistakes a church can make.

The False Sense of Security: Why Churches Are at Risk

Many church leaders and IT personnel operate under the assumption that because macOS has historically faced fewer attacks than Windows, it remains inherently safe. While Apple does integrate strong security features into its operating system, no platform is invulnerable. In fact, as macOS adoption increases in professional environments—including places of worship—so does the attention from cybercriminals.

One of the biggest threats facing churches today is phishing attacks, where cybercriminals send emails impersonating pastors, staff, or financial personnel to trick recipients into handing over login credentials or financial details. A recent report showed that macOS users are not only just as vulnerable to phishing as Windows users, but they are often targeted under the assumption that they are less prepared.

Beyond phishing, malware and ransomware attacks against Macs are on the rise. The recent "Banshee macOS Stealer" malware, for example, was specifically designed to steal sensitive data from Apple computers while bypassing built-in security protections. (New York Post)

Moreover, zero-day vulnerabilities—flaws that Apple has not yet patched—are an increasing concern. CVE-2024-44243, a macOS security flaw discovered earlier this year, allowed attackers to bypass Apple’s System Integrity Protection and install malicious software without user knowledge. (Microsoft Security Blog)

Churches also make a critical mistake by allowing unrestricted administrative access on church-owned Macs. When staff or volunteers have full administrative privileges, it significantly increases the risk of malware installation, system compromise, and unauthorized software installations that may lead to compliance issues. Many churches still do not enforce security policies that limit admin access, making their networks even more vulnerable to attacks.

Beyond security concerns, allowing full admin rights also creates software compliance risks. Many churches use licensed software for worship presentations, donor management, and financial processing. When multiple users have administrator privileges, they can install unauthorized applications, bypass security policies, and even introduce software piracy risks that violate licensing agreements. Compliance with software licensing is critical to avoid legal repercussions and ensure that all software is updated and secured properly.

The Hidden Dangers of Unmanaged Software: Dropbox and Email Vulnerabilities

While many church staff and volunteers may not think twice about using personal Dropbox accounts, Google Drive, or other cloud storage solutions to transfer church-related files, these unmanaged software solutions introduce serious security vulnerabilities.

How an Attack Can Happen

Consider a church staff member who needs to work from home. Instead of using a secure, organization-approved storage solution, they upload sensitive donor records and financial documents to their personal Dropbox account to access them later.

Now, suppose that same staff member is also checking their personal Gmail account on their work Mac. They receive an email that appears to come from a trusted vendor or even another church colleague. The email contains an attachment labeled “Financial Report Q1.pdf”—but in reality, it is malware designed to infiltrate the Mac’s system.

Here’s how this simple, everyday action can lead to a catastrophic cyberattack:

1. The Dropbox Connection – The staff member syncs their personal Dropbox account to their work Mac, unknowingly syncing the infected file to church systems.
2. The Malware Execution – When another church staff member accesses the financial report, the malware executes, spreading through the network.
3. Credential Theft – If the malware includes a keylogger, it begins capturing keystrokes—including usernames, passwords, and online banking logins.
4. Network Access via VPN – The infected Mac connects to the church’s internal network via VPN, allowing the attacker to move laterally and gain access to church databases, financial systems, and email servers.
5. Ransomware Deployment – The attacker encrypts the church’s data, demanding a ransom payment in cryptocurrency to restore access.

This is not just a theoretical scenario—it mirrors real-world incidents, such as the OrthoVirginia ransomware attack, where a physician checking personal Gmail on a work system led to a major cybersecurity breach. The physician clicked on a malicious attachment, unknowingly allowing Ryuk ransomware to enter the network, which then encrypted patient records, financial data, and operational files—crippling the organization for days. (SiliconAngle)

How Churches Can Prevent These Attacks

To prevent such devastating breaches, churches must take strict security measures against personal cloud storage use and personal email access on work devices:

1. Block Personal Cloud Storage Services – Churches should configure their network firewalls and device management software to block personal Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud usage.
2. Require Secure File Sharing Solutions – Use organization-controlled solutions like Microsoft OneDrive for Business or Google Workspace, which offer enhanced security, audit logs, and administrative controls.
3. Restrict VPN Access to Compliant Devices – Only church-managed and secured devices should be able to access the church network via VPN. Personal laptops and unauthorized mobile devices should be blocked.
4. Enforce Email Security and Filtering – Deploy advanced email filtering solutions to detect and block phishing emails before they reach staff inboxes.
5. Educate Staff and Volunteers – Conduct regular cybersecurity training on the risks of personal email use, phishing attacks, and unmanaged cloud storage solutions.

Final Thoughts: Cybersecurity Is a Church-Wide Responsibility

Many churches continue to assume that using Macs eliminates the need for strong cybersecurity policies. However, as cybercriminals evolve and macOS becomes a bigger target, it’s essential that ministries implement enterprise-level security measures to protect sensitive data.

By deploying antivirus software, restricting admin access, enforcing password management, requiring MFA, blocking personal cloud storage use, and preventing email phishing attacks, churches can dramatically improve their security posture and avoid becoming the next ransomware victim.

Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue—it’s a ministry responsibility.

Is your church prepared?

References (2023-2025)

1. TechRadar: "Best Antivirus Software for Mac of 2025." (techradar.com)
2. Microsoft Security Blog: "Analyzing CVE-2024-44243, a macOS System Integrity Protection Bypass." (microsoft.com)
3. SiliconAngle: "Lessons from the OrthoVirginia Ransomware Attack." (siliconangle.com)
4. Security.org: "LastPass Breaches and Security Concerns." (security.org)
5. Yubico: "Why YubiKey for Secure Authentication." (yubico.com)
6. PCMag: "The Best Mac Antivirus Software for 2025." (pcmag.com)