Savvy hackers aim to be one step ahead of security teams, trying to crack the latest code that can cut through to a user’s system. However, this means you depend entirely on Apple’s security team for your best antivirus for Mac - what if they haven’t caught up with the most recent threat and applied the update yet?

If you’re a Mac user and you have automatic software updates turned on, you’re relatively safe from threats. For example, macOS’s Gatekeeper ensures that every downloaded file is scanned and checked against common malware before it’s opened, and as an extra layer of security it won’t open an application from a developer that isn’t approved.Īpplications made for Mac are also sandboxed, which implies that their installation files are completely isolated from the rest of the operating system, creating a non-invasive file structure that doesn’t mess with critical system files (unlike Windows). Additionally, they come pre-installed with proprietary software that protects users from threats automatically. It’s true that Macs appear to be more secure out of the box due to the underlying framework of their software, Unix.

Do I Need Virus Protection For Mac?ĭespite the numbers suggesting that Macs are relatively safe from malicious software and viruses, that does not mean they are immune. The security of macOS was now up for debate, alongside an evaluation of Microsoft Defender for Mac and what could be its best alternatives. The release took many by surprise, not only for its cross-platform support but also because it made them question if antivirus software for Mac was actually needed. However, in March 2019 Microsoft released their proprietary antivirus software for Mac, named Windows Defender ATP (Advanced Threat Protection). Meanwhile, Mac users were operating in assumed safety for many years. This in turn caused more media exposure around reported cases, which encouraged the market for Microsoft antivirus software. The urban legend is largely fuelled by sheer numbers - in the early days of computing, there were far more PC than Mac users, which meant PCs were more attractive for hackers.

There’s a common myth among Mac users that you don’t need Mac virus protection.

Do i need antivirus software for mac