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Antivirus on a M1 Mac - Is Norton Antivirus any good?

Yorkieray said:
I've had a Mac since 2014 and I now also have a M1 MBP, but it's only recently that I have fully learned about the built in virus and malware protection that come with MacOS.
Just ensure that you only download apps from the App Store and trusted developers.
Also go to Software Update - Advanced and then ensure that every box is ticked. This will ensure that you receive and install the latest anti-virus, malware and security updates for the operating system and apps.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/security/sec35dd877d0/1/web/1
Click to expand...
Windows 10 does the same thing and diagnosis now and on older PC models!
which is great
because
even a $100 pine book or anything should NOT be infected with some losers malware in this planet!
happy internets everyone!
 
Although it's essential to have some form of AV software on a Windows machine, it's really not needed on a Mac.

All AV software will do is slow down your Mac by scanning every file, folder, app etc. Then there's the scheduled daily/weekly scans. That will chew through battery life like no tomorrow. The Mac manages itself without all that crap.
 
Marty_Macfly said:
Hiya All,


Many thanks for all the feedback, much appreciated :)


hhhhmmmm.... some more research needed then. Shame Norton isn't a instant "Yup install it, its ok" - Seeing as I am already paying for the package for my windows laptop already :)



Best wishes
Martin
Click to expand...



Hi All,

As I say, many thanks for all the advice! :)
I researched Malwarebytes and for my use case - it looks OK for free install, and to run periodically.



Bottom line for my use case - Great free install - But wait for M1 fix before buy full app.



(A) FREE install:
1. I installed it

2. Installation process was really clear instructions and step through, to get all the permissions set up for it. (For one step - Read permissions or something - I see why DRIVEDX didn't work for me. Shame, I missed out on the free trial period.)

3. I ran it - my M1 MBA has ZERO malware, after months of use without any kind of "anti virus" etc. :)

4. I paused everything on the app, so I only run when I want it.



(B) For my use case - Wait for M1 fix before buy full system.
Researching it, on MalwareBytes's own forum:

1. There appears to be a current issue where there is a crash bug with M1 Macs, to do with Time machine.
2. User reports He/She is running the paid for app as a free app to avoid crashes.
3. NB: It is also currently still an Intel app, needing Rosetta 2. No eta for native app


Sources:

1. The issue in-depth:
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/top...with-apple-m1/?do=findComment&comment=1430369

2. The work around:
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/top...with-apple-m1/?do=findComment&comment=1444146



Hope the above helps other!

Kind regards
Martin
 
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srbNYC said:
This debate—whether or not Macs need virus/malware protection—is always interesting, although folks say "I've never used one and never got a virus" doesn't hold water. Concurrence is not causality, and some anecdotal experiences don't really add up to evidence. "I text while crossing the street, and I've never gotten hit by a car" doesn't comprise a compelling argument for texting while you cross the street.
Click to expand...
You’re also relying on the ‘safe’ sites that you use not being hacked. We see things in the media about big names getting hacked, so it’s probably not a safe assumption.
 
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The native malware proction in OSX and the current build of Windows 10 both are borh excellent and reliable. Save your money and relax. But do be careful about people trying to trick you into compromising your system. This is often done under the guise of “malware protection”.
 
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Hoo Doo Dude said:
The native malware proction ion in OSX and the current build of Windows 10 both are borh excellent and reliable. Save your money and relax. But do be careful about people trying to trick you into compromising your system. This is often done under the guise of “malware protection”.
Click to expand...
What is the native malware protection in macOS?

I'm also debating an antivirus program. Not sure which is best for Apple Silicon computers. I don't visit sketchy websites, and generally do not click things from emails unless I know the sender.
 
southerndoc said:
What is the native malware protection in macOS?

I'm also debating an antivirus program. Not sure which is best for Apple Silicon computers. I don't visit sketchy websites, and generally do not click things from emails unless I know the sender.
Click to expand...

Protecting against malware in macOS

On devices with macOS, malware defenses are structured using the followingApp Store, or Gatekeeper combined with Notarization, and XProtect.
support.apple.com
 
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southerndoc said:
So are you saying that it's not necessary to run an antivirus or antimalware app on a Mac?
Click to expand...
Technically speaking, it isn't necessary. If one should still feel a need to have a fall back, installing Malwarebytes is all one needs on the Mac. The free version works just fine.

I would not install Nortons or any other antivirus program on a Mac. It's bloatware that will probably negatively affect your Mac. And often times, said programs can be a pain to fully remove.
 
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Yea, I've had bad experience with Norton on my 2012 iMac i7 3.4 machine.

Does Malwarebytes have an AS/M1 optimized version or is it operated under Rosetta?
 
Marty_Macfly said:
Hi All,

As I say, many thanks for all the advice! :)
I researched Malwarebytes and for my use case - it looks OK for free install, and to run periodically.



Bottom line for my use case - Great free install - But wait for M1 fix before buy full app.



(A) FREE install:
1. I installed it

2. Installation process was really clear instructions and step through, to get all the permissions set up for it. (For one step - Read permissions or something - I see why DRIVEDX didn't work for me. Shame, I missed out on the free trial period.)

3. I ran it - my M1 MBA has ZERO malware, after months of use without any kind of "anti virus" etc. :)

4. I paused everything on the app, so I only run when I want it.



(B) For my use case - Wait for M1 fix before buy full system.
Researching it, on MalwareBytes's own forum:

1. There appears to be a current issue where there is a crash bug with M1 Macs, to do with Time machine.
2. User reports He/She is running the paid for app as a free app to avoid crashes.
3. NB: It is also currently still an Intel app, needing Rosetta 2. No eta for native app


Sources:

1. The issue in-depth:
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/top...with-apple-m1/?do=findComment&comment=1430369

2. The work around:
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/top...with-apple-m1/?do=findComment&comment=1444146



Hope the above helps other!

Kind regards
Martin
Click to expand...
I don't currently use any antivirus but have used once when connected to a mix win-mac network. I used CLAMXAV and it's light and not expensive About €25/year for 1 computer for home use
 
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I’m starting to be a bit paranoid, not about the mac itself, because I do clean installs (formatting) once or twice every year. However, I use external hard drives.

My hypochondrial me is starting to consider wiping the external drives to keep them clean, however, I don’t have anywhere to save my 3 or 4TB of data.

So here’s my question: Can a malware snake onto my external hard drive when I plug them, and spread from there once I reinstall my mac? Is there a way to detect that? Or I shouldn’t worry about it?

Thank you.
_________________________

A second question: Do you find a good security habit to have a secondary profile on my mac to do most of my torrent/download activity? I don’t think the websites I visit are specially sketchy, but I always use an adblock (or Brave). What do you think?
 
I recommend Malwarebytes. The free version is excellent. Norton is bloatware, the likes of which Dell installs on their systems. Given that we're on a Mac forum, it should be obvious this isn't a compliment.
 
Marty_Macfly said:
Hi All,


I just noticed, Norton Antivirus works on Macs :)

​

2 questions:


Q1) Can anyone advise if the Norton Antivirus is working ok on a M1 Mac?
Crash issues?
Performance issues?

I've had a M1 crash issue with an adblocker app so far, so I am a bit apprehensive about installing something as invasive as an antivirus app without real world recommendations on it for the M1 / BigSur platform.



Q2) Can my multi laptop subscription also include a MAC as well? :)
I have a Norton Antivirus subscription for my Windows laptop. Had it for years and it works fine.

Can I install onto a MAC as well as windows laptops? :)
(I recall the package said I could install onto up to 3 or 5 laptops Be great if I could mix Macs with Windows, as the antivirus is a pretty expensive yearly charge.)




Hope someone out there is the same situation as me and can advise.

Regards
Martin
Click to expand...
Sometime ago (like 20 years) I worked at an IT conference where one of the guest speakers was representing McAfee - could have been John McAfee himself but I didn't know who he was at the time. Anyway, after he stepped off stage people come up and asked questions. I overheard him respond to a question with something along the lines of: Off the record, I would never install our software. Viruses are created constantly and we have to rush our updates to keep up, which means that our software is unstable and will cause more problems than it fixes.
 
Populus said:
I’m starting to be a bit paranoid, not about the mac itself, because I do clean installs (formatting) once or twice every year. However, I use external hard drives.

My hypochondrial me is starting to consider wiping the external drives to keep them clean, however, I don’t have anywhere to save my 3 or 4TB of data.

So here’s my question: Can a malware snake onto my external hard drive when I plug them, and spread from there once I reinstall my mac? Is there a way to detect that? Or I shouldn’t worry about it?

Thank you.
_________________________

A second question: Do you find a good security habit to have a secondary profile on my mac to do most of my torrent/download activity? I don’t think the websites I visit are specially sketchy, but I always use an adblock (or Brave). What do you think?
Click to expand...
I think most people are overly paranoid about viruses/malware. Unless you make it a habit to visit questionable sites, you really don't need such software. Keep in mind that all the software can do is detect known viruses/malware... it cannot detect that which it doesn't know anything about. And if you are paranoid, it's the unknown stuff that poses a greater risk than the known stuff because vendors typically patch against them. They're in the business of selling you something you don't need by creating a sense of need.

As far as malware et al affect external drives... ANYTHING that you have access to the malware et al also has access to. This is how malware and viruses work. They infect everything they can get access to. You are their number one access point. If you never ever connect to the internet, your system is safe because it has no way to get to it. That is the only true 100% reliable anti-virus protection there is. Everything else is a fallacy. If your machine does become infected and you have anti-virus software installed, well, they never promised you 100% protection. So that's $49.99 of software that serves only as peace of mind until such time as it doesn't.

And it is true that such software is also as intrusive if not more so than the stuff you are trying to protect yourself from.

Been on a Mac for well over 3 decades now and have NEVER had anti-virus software on my machine. Never once have I had an issue. Never. Not saying that it can't happen, but if you feel that spending $49.99 gives you peace of mind... it's money well spent for the false sense alone.

I won't ever do it, but to each their own.
 
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pmiles said:
I think most people are overly paranoid about viruses/malware. Unless you make it a habit to visit questionable sites, you really don't need such software. Keep in mind that all the software can do is detect known viruses/malware... it cannot detect that which it doesn't know anything about. And if you are paranoid, it's the unknown stuff that poses a greater risk than the known stuff because vendors typically patch against them. They're in the business of selling you something you don't need by creating a sense of need.

As far as malware et al affect external drives... ANYTHING that you have access to the malware et al also has access to. This is how malware and viruses work. They infect everything they can get access to. You are their number one access point. If you never ever connect to the internet, your system is safe because it has no way to get to it. That is the only true 100% reliable anti-virus protection there is. Everything else is a fallacy. If your machine does become infected and you have anti-virus software installed, well, they never promised you 100% protection. So that's $49.99 of software that serves only as peace of mind until such time as it doesn't.

And it is true that such software is also as intrusive if not more so than the stuff you are trying to protect yourself from.

Been on a Mac for well over 3 decades now and have NEVER had anti-virus software on my machine. Never once have I had an issue. Never. Not saying that it can't happen, but if you feel that spending $49.99 gives you peace of mind... it's money well spent for the false sense alone.

I won't ever do it, but to each their own.
Click to expand...
No, I wasn’t considering purchasing a commercial antivirus. I asked just because I was worried, and to look for a proper solution, such as... well, getting ~4TB of cloud storage, putting my files one by one in the cloud, wiping the hard drives, formatting the mac, and putting the files back on their place.

To be honest, most of what it is on my hard drives are multimedia content, and I, sometimes, take a look at the hidden files on the drive. I guess I could, eventually, see it if there was some sort of installed malware... But I am not sure, that‘s why I was asking.
 
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