Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Antivirus Software
- Thread starter gbf
- Start date
-
- Tags
- antivirus for mac
- Sort by post date
How do you provide evidence for non existence?
This thread is getting silly. Whether Windows-like virus for Mac exists or not is besides the point.
If you are careless and click "OK" and enter admin user password to allow some random app to be installed (e.g., fake app updater), your Mac can be infected with adware, trojan horse, or ransomware. And some MS Office files can be infected, which cause smaller damage, but damage nevertheless.
If you fall into these risks, then it's certainly advisable to have some protection.
Aforementioned Malwarebytes is probably the least intrusive, although it is also known to be protect less (but certainly good enough for most).
Sophos is more robust solution, but it tends to be more resource hungry than Malwarebytes.
P.S. I personally recommend updating security updates frequently, not lower default security settings, and avoid letting some random app to ask for admin password. And keep Malwarebytes in free mode for routine system scanning or cleanup prior to installing an app you downloaded from the website.
If you are careless and click "OK" and enter admin user password to allow some random app to be installed (e.g., fake app updater), your Mac can be infected with adware, trojan horse, or ransomware. And some MS Office files can be infected, which cause smaller damage, but damage nevertheless.
If you fall into these risks, then it's certainly advisable to have some protection.
Aforementioned Malwarebytes is probably the least intrusive, although it is also known to be protect less (but certainly good enough for most).
Sophos is more robust solution, but it tends to be more resource hungry than Malwarebytes.
P.S. I personally recommend updating security updates frequently, not lower default security settings, and avoid letting some random app to ask for admin password. And keep Malwarebytes in free mode for routine system scanning or cleanup prior to installing an app you downloaded from the website.
You can't.. neither can you fix an attitude that refuses repair - this is why anti-virus apps are so popular.
Actually, per forum rules, you have to provide evidence of your claim.
Viruses, no. Malware, possibly. Trojans are a real thing, but you have to actively offer them permissions. I think the most common "malware" nowadays are invasive browser plugins and tracking.
Please tell us about one virus that has infected a Mac.
"Because Macs are vulnerable to viruses and malware."
There has never been a "Mac virus" discovered "in the wild".
Not. A. Single. One. Ever.
There is malware/adware/crapware.
Use MalwareBytes to handle that.
There has never been a "Mac virus" discovered "in the wild".
Not. A. Single. One. Ever.
There is malware/adware/crapware.
Use MalwareBytes to handle that.
The big problem I have with AV on the Mac is that apple already do a pretty good job of sandboxing and restricting non-trusted code execution (assuming you leave the protections turned on) in modern macOS to protect your data/system from random stuff on the internet.
Any AV software requires you to give that AV software full access to the machine, and to be honest I do not trust most of the AV vendors to write properly bug-free and non-exploitable software in windows, let alone on the Mac which I feel is minimum effort for them due to the smaller market, less prevalent viruses, etc.
So on balance I actually feel virus scanners on the Mac are more likely to be trouble (and a potential security hole that would not exist on the machine without it) than not. I mean Norton? Mcafee? don't make me laugh - that stuff has been virtually malware itself for almost 2 decades at this point.
Any AV software requires you to give that AV software full access to the machine, and to be honest I do not trust most of the AV vendors to write properly bug-free and non-exploitable software in windows, let alone on the Mac which I feel is minimum effort for them due to the smaller market, less prevalent viruses, etc.
So on balance I actually feel virus scanners on the Mac are more likely to be trouble (and a potential security hole that would not exist on the machine without it) than not. I mean Norton? Mcafee? don't make me laugh - that stuff has been virtually malware itself for almost 2 decades at this point.
Because Norton uploaded it to the App Store and managed to get it through apple's scrutiny that it isn't deliberately malware.
Apple's App Store doesn't go seeking products, people apply to have their products listed on it. There's a difference.
Try the 30-days free versions from Kaspersky and Bitdefender, see what's best for you
Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac https://support.kaspersky.com/kis20mac
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/antivirus-for-mac.html
Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac https://support.kaspersky.com/kis20mac
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/antivirus-for-mac.html
Technically, even IF - and that is debatable - AV software were able to detect theats, there is still a catch: AV software is notorious for opening security holes itself. By and large I‘d recommend using no AV software on desktop/laptops.
If you are in a position where security is key, add a dedicated solution (think: deep packet inspection firewall, etc) to your lineup
Desktop AVs do nothing really to elevate your level of protection
Installing and running these apps makes your computer more vulnerable as they’re full of bugs and exploits.
Airo Antivirus review: A promising start for a Mac-focused antivirus
A solid choice for Mac users, but not as full-featured as more established choices.
www.macworld.com
Lou
What is believed to be the first ever “in the wild” computer virus, Elk Cloner, was written on, for, and infected the Apple DOS OS on the Apple II. I know, I know, that’s technically not a “Mac” but just an interesting tidbit of info!
Intego VirusBarrier Scanner
Free antivirus and malware security for your Mac! Intego Virus-Barrier Scanner can scan and remove Mac and Windows malware with a single click. VirusBarrier Scanner will detect any infected files which you might have downloaded or gotten in your inbox. This way your Mac is always kept safe and...
apps.apple.com
Leverage VirusTotal's multi-engine capability. At the minimum, run the file checksum through VT before installing anything.
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload
https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload
Hi, Im looking exactly for the same. In W10 I have Kaspersky Security, and I had the option to install it on my Macbook Pro 2015 retina. So when I bought the mac, I did it. In windows I don't have any complain with KAV, but on Macos Mojave, it makes my navigation so slow, even stop loading pages, so its frustrating, so now that my license is ending I'm looking for a better option for Macos. Is a known case with KAV with no solution and no response by them, so not recommended in Macos, in my experience.
Last edited: