Do Mac computers need antivirus protection?

There’s still a healthy amount of debate on whether Mac computers need antivirus. That’s unsurprising since Apple used to heavily advertised its core product as virus-free. But the company dropped the “we don’t get viruses” argument back in 2012. That was an acknowledge on the company’s part that yes, Mac computers do get viruses, and yes, you need need to get an antivirus tool for your macOS computer.

Mac computers are much more secure than Windows systems and benefit from a much lower market share, making them less valuable targets for hackers. Nevertheless, Apple Macs are still vulnerable to some viruses and other malware, and it’s a growing problem. The number of malicious programs targeted Mac computers increased by 50% in Q1 2020 compared to 2019. Hackers are starting to shift their sights on Mac computers, often because Mac users tend to shirk AV tools.

Apple’s built-in security system does a reasonable job keeping malware at bay, but you should still consider beefing up protection by installing antivirus software.

In this post, we discuss why you need to consider using antivirus with a Mac computer and reveal some of the best antivirus software to help.

Do you really need an antivirus to protect a Mac?

In short, yes you do. Mac computers are not immune to malware and Mac-targeted attacks are increasingly prevalent. Following best practices for securing your device and using built-in security features can help, but antivirus software can serve to protect your device even further.

How AV tools secure Mac computers

The first question to ask is, “Does malware exist on the MacOS platform?”

The answer to that is yes, it does. Although Macs appear to be secure, there’s nothing to stop criminals targeting the software.

That being said, figures do suggest that Mac computers are less likely to come under threat from malware. But just because the risk is lower than with a Windows PC doesn’t mean there’s no risk at all. Plus, the risk is amplified if you’re a business that runs multiple Mac computers.

Even if you’re just using a Mac as a home computer, there are some good reasons to consider improving security:

• Macs are becoming more popular. Part of the allure of attacking Windows PCs is that the impact is so huge, with Windows having around 77 percent of the market share. But Mac’s rise in popularity certainly makes it a juicier target for attackers than in years gone by.
• Mac users are attractive targets. With Macs being a lot more expensive to purchase than Windows PCs, it follows that Mac users will typically be wealthier. As such, they are attractive targets for criminals, especially those looking to steal personal data, including financial information.
• Windows is becoming more secure. Macs used to have a big lead over Windows PCs in terms of security, making the latter easier to attack. The latest versions of the Windows operating system are more secure than ever before, closing the gap, and making them more difficult targets. It would be less surprising to see malicious hackers turn their efforts towards Macs.

the macOS operating system does come with built-in malware detection, which we’ll discuss in more detail below. This built-in detection feature is a nice-to-have, but with more threats, there’s an increased likelihood that new malware could find its way onto your system before Apple updates its databases. These are referred to as zero-day threats, and are reason enough to consider installing some security software.

Note that even an antivirus can’t protect you against all types of attacks. For example, if someone tricks you into escalating admin privileges to install malware, it’s already too late for an antivirus to save you. Human error doesn’t distinguish between operating systems and Mac users can fall prey to scams just as easily as PC users can.

Mac OSX built-in malware detection

Mac software is based on Unix, which comes with its own security features. This is one of the reasons Mac has remained relatively secure. Mac also provides built-in security measures to help combat malware, including the following:

• Gatekeeper: If software that hasn’t been digitally approved by Mac attempts to run on your computer, GateKeeper will block it until you provide authorization for it to continue.
• XProtect: The XProtect feature detects known malware and automatically blocks its installation. The feature is constantly updated with the latest malware signatures. It monitors for new malware infections (and strains) and, if any are found, then XProtect is updated. These updates occur separately from system updates so you don’t have to wait to be protected from new malware.
• Malware removal tool: In case malware does find its way into a system, macOS technology can remediate infections. Removal of known malware will occur with each system update.

Apple continues to patch security vulnerabilities with each subsequent update. It’s crucial that you install updates as soon as possible to keep your system secure. Macs provide automatic security updates, but you need to make sure they’re enabled. To check, simply follow these steps:

1. Click on the Apple icon found in the top left corner of your screen and then on System Preferences.
2. Open the App Store.
3. Lastly, ensure that the tick boxes next to ALL the update options are checked, as seen in the image below.

Best antivirus software for Macs

If you do decide you’d like to install antivirus software, there are plenty of options out there, both free and paid. We’ve rounded up some of the best in separate posts, but here are our top seven free and paid options. We recommend opting got a paid option if you can, they are relatively inexpensive, faster and offer significantly better protection.

Here’s our list of the best antivirus software for Mac:

1. Intego

Oct 2020

Intego Mac Internet Security X9: Currently reduced from $84.99 to $39.99 for a year, this is a wallet-friendly solution. The software was built specifically for Macs. It’s not based on a Windows model, as is the case for many alternatives. It offers a location-based firewall and protection against phishing scams, among other features.

2. Kaspersky

Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac: Kaspersky consistently scores well in independent tests and has an accessible price point at $39.99 for a year of protection (reduced from $79.99). Highlights include a content filter for parental control and webcam spying protection.

3. VIPRE

VIPRE Advanced Security: VIPRE Advanced Security is an extremely well-rated software suite that competes (and often outcompete) some of the more well-known AV tools on the market, including Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender. It beats them both in price and features. The Advanced Security package is currently available for $38.49 for a year of service (reduced from $54.99).

4. Norton

Norton 360 Deluxe: Norton is one of the best-known options on the market. Its 360 Deluxe AV tool comes with a heavy first-year discount of $39.99 (down from $99.99). It also offers coverage for up to 5 devices, PC cloud backup, parental controls, and VPN for 5 devices.

5. Bitdefender

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac: This is another inexpensive option (the price has recently been slashed to $29.99 for one year) with a range of features. Some that stand out are available with the Total Security package, including a built-in Virtual Private Network (VPN) and an autopilot feature for a set-it-and-forget-it approach.

For more options, see Best Mac antivirus programs: Top rated Mac antivirus programs for 2019.

Best free antivirus software for Mac

As with most things in life there’s usually a catch when a product is free. Security is not an area we recommend you cut corners on but if you really don’t want a paid solution here are two free options.

1. Intego Mac Security X9: Intego is a solid option for Mac users for one simple reason: It was built from the ground-up for Mac. In fact, Intego doesn’t make a Windows version of its app. It’s exclusively for Mac and offers real-time monitoring, automatic scans, file quarantines, firewall protection, and more.

2. Comodo Free Antivirus for Mac: Although the brand doesn’t have the same punch as the others on the list, Comodo offers a fairly broad range of features for customers of its free service. These include real-time malware protection, scheduled virus scanning, quarantines and suspicious file removal, drag-and-drop and one-click scanning, and more.

For more options, see Best free antivirus programs for Windows and Mac.

Other tips for securing your Mac computer

While built-in and additional antivirus software can help, there are other things you can do to secure your computer. Beyond the unlikely event of a virus taking hold of your Mac, the most likely threats you will face are adware and spyware. The best way of avoiding those and other threats is by taking basic but effective security steps:

• Enable your firewall: Your firewall is your first line of defense against potential security threats. To enable your firewall, go to System Preferences > Security > Firewall.
• Disable Java in your browser: Java comes with security flaws and is generally not needed. To disable Java, uncheck “Enable Java” in Safari > Preferences > Security
• Keep your computer close: This may sound obvious, but never let anyone else have access to your Mac or install files on it on your behalf unless you know you can trust them.
• Avoid opening unknown files: Never open email attachments or other files that you have received from unknown or dubious sources.
• Be skeptical of software providers: Only install software from reputable sites you know you can trust, and avoid pirated software.
• Use strong passwords: Ensure your Mac, as well as all your local and online accounts, are protected with strong passwords made up of at least eight characters. Passwords should include numbers, letters (both upper and lower case), and special characters.  Test your password strength here.
• Keep your software up-to-date: Keep your Mac and applications up to date at all times. Get those updates through the developers’ sites or the App Store, not from popups.

If you practice all of the above, you shouldn’t have to worry about threats disrupting your enjoyment of your Mac. Of course, things do change, so keep abreast of the latest security news just in case.

Related: Want to do even more to improve your security and privacy? Check out our roundup of the Best VPNs for Mac.