Do I need antivirus on OS X?

[Baymack]

I'm a new MacBook Pro owner and was wondering if I should install an antivirus program and which one is recommended?

 

[0007776]

There is no real need for one on OS X

 

[Partron22]

No.

 

[Kissmyne]

Need of an antivirus strongly depends on user computer skills/habits. Sophos, Avira, and BitDefender are all great AV for macOS. Personally I use Sophos.. for the entire life of this Mac i am using to post. No issues, no hassles.. and it has helped me resolve issues on PCs as well(Can scan network drives via SMB protocol.)

 

[lambertjohn]

I'm a new MacBook Pro owner and was wondering if I should install an antivirus program and which one is recommended?

I've never had an anti-virus program on any Mac I've ever owned, and I've never had a virus problem. Safe surfing has a lot to do with it too. Surf porn and other potentially malicious sites, and you'll probably infect your computer with something detrimental to your computer's health.

 

[IowaLynn]

Of course there are regular phishing attempts, adware and other exploits. The last targeting 166 models of routers that don't seem to care what OS or platform, just router firmware.

Most A/V lack documented APIs to work properly and instead interfere with the kernel in MacOS.

 

[Markc1024]

One thing to consider, although Macs are less prone, is passing along virus's to your non-Mac friends. I run bitdefender and it routinely finds problems within emails sent to me.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I'm a new MacBook Pro owner and was wondering if I should install an antivirus program and which one is recommended?

I don't, but then again I don't try to download free games and movies, torrents, video streamers, etc.

Should >you< install antivirus? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[lclev]

I don't run any antivirus and never have. I have recommended Malwarebytes for mac which is a stand alone app that will look for nasties and is especially useful for the occasional browser issues. I also run browser extensions to protect my mac. I like to run Ghostery and Adblock Plus. Extensions help block tracking, adds, autostart videos, redirects to other potentially bad websites etc.

Just my thoughts!

 

[SlCKB0Y]

One thing to consider, although Macs are less prone, is passing along virus's to your non-Mac friends. I run bitdefender and it routinely finds problems within emails sent to me.

This is pretty much the only reason to use antivirus on a Mac.

 

[Fishrrman]

I've never used an "active" virus detection app with OS X -- not needed.

I do use "Malware Bytes Anti-Malware for Mac", which is free. It doesn't detect viruses, but rather Malware, adware, etc.

 

[Gregg2]

One thing to consider, although Macs are less prone, is passing along virus's to your non-Mac friends. I run bitdefender and it routinely finds problems within emails sent to me.

This is pretty much the only reason to use antivirus on a Mac.

Or, if you find out that someone in your Contacts is using Windows without anti-virus software, delete them and use a phone to call or text them a warning.

 

[ilandmac]

Same here, Bit defender.

pretty astute and non invasive.

ilandmac