Exploring Lesser-Known Terminal Commands for Enhanced Security

Published
December 03, 2025
Category
Technology
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253 words
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mitchell
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Exploring lesser-known Terminal commands can significantly enhance security and productivity for Mac users. According to 9to5Mac, users can set alarms directly from the command line by entering the command 'leave [time]'.

For example, 'leave 1846' sets an alarm for 6:46 PM. To check detailed battery information, including maximum capacity and cycle count, users can utilize the command 'system_profiler SPPowerDataType'. To find saved Wi-Fi passwords quickly, the command 'security find-generic-password -wa [Wi-Fi Network]' allows users to search their iCloud Keychain directly.

If privacy is a concern, users can flush hidden downloads by executing two commands using SQLite: first, to view the contents, and second, to delete the logs with 'sqlite3 ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices.QuarantineEventsV* 'delete from LSQuarantineEvent''.

For organizing screenshots, users can change the default filename with 'defaults write com.apple.screencapture name <Name>', allowing for easier identification of files. Additionally, the format of screenshots can be adjusted from the default PNG to other types such as JPG or PDF using 'defaults write com.apple.screencapture type <Format>'.

For a bit of fun, users can also install an ASCII aquarium in Terminal by first ensuring Brew is installed and then running 'brew install asciiquarium'. This unique command offers a lighthearted diversion while illustrating the range of capabilities that Terminal provides.

These commands not only serve practical purposes but also empower users to take control of their device's security and functionality. The insights were shared by Arin Waichulis in the latest edition of the Security Bite series on 9to5Mac, focusing on Apple's ecosystem and commands that can enhance user efficiency and security.

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