Hey, i would love to know your opinion on if you feel a MacBook Pro needs antivirus software and which one you would recommend, if any? I had one that really started to drain my battery so I removed it but I always wonder if I needed one or not. Thanks
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Does a MacBook need antivirus software?
- Thread starter mattlukea
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Don't need it, just use common sense. But for peace of mind, I run malwarebytes once in a while. Cyber threats are out there and increasing rapidly.
I don't even have one for Windows. Adblocker and whatever Windows provides is enough (Windows defender).
I don't even have one for Windows. Adblocker and whatever Windows provides is enough (Windows defender).
I agree with this. Providing you aren’t downloading questionable torrents and have an adblocker you are pretty safe. Kept my systems up to date, use windows defender and never had an issue. On Mac, similar story, don’t do anything stupid and you won’t have an issue.
It's not essential for your MAC. I personally use one for added security; I occasionally need to use public wifi and prefer to have one.
Just downloaded MalwareBytes for the Search Marquis virus. It didn't detect it and there is no way to delete any malicious files within MalwareBytes without paying $90.
There are fundamental security differences between Windows and MacOS. On a Windows system there are drive by attacks which mean that a virus can install just by visiting a malicious website. On a Mac this would never happen. The only way for a virus to install on your Mac is to actually install it yourself. There is other forms of malware that are more a threat to Macs like adware and trojans.
I would not use an antivirus software on a Mac but I also am very careful about what I install and from where. For example lets say you visit a Porn website and you get a warning that you need to update your browser or OS etc. Then a DMG file downloads. You install it thinking it is an update and BAM you are infected. Once infected a lot of adware opens a back door into your system where they can download more malware later.
So if you can train yourself not to fall for the many techniques malware will try to install with your permission.
A general rule. Only install software from Apple App Store or very trusted software platforms like Adobe and even then you need to make sure the website is legit.
Never install anything from a browser prompt.
Finally there are several Mac OS AV software available like Sophos free which you can run occasionally to make sure there is nothing on your Mac.
I would not use an antivirus software on a Mac but I also am very careful about what I install and from where. For example lets say you visit a Porn website and you get a warning that you need to update your browser or OS etc. Then a DMG file downloads. You install it thinking it is an update and BAM you are infected. Once infected a lot of adware opens a back door into your system where they can download more malware later.
So if you can train yourself not to fall for the many techniques malware will try to install with your permission.
A general rule. Only install software from Apple App Store or very trusted software platforms like Adobe and even then you need to make sure the website is legit.
Never install anything from a browser prompt.
Finally there are several Mac OS AV software available like Sophos free which you can run occasionally to make sure there is nothing on your Mac.
While it is true, that macOS malware is comparatively "rare" compared to Windows, that does not mean it is not a concern. The best defense against malware, regardless of OS or platform, is online behavior. Even the best behaved online patrons have fallen victim to malware threats, regardless of platform, so don't assume you are completely safe.
See this: https://www.pensar.co.uk/blog/are-macs-more-secure-than-pcs
And this: https://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com/tip/Comparing-macOS-vs-Windows-security
I personally don't run any anti-malware program on my systems, and I only use the default Microsoft Defender on Windows. However, my online behavior is typically risk adverse. I don't got to questionable sites, I check for expired certificates, rarely click on links in emails, and only download executable code from trusted sources. I try to get all of my software from the Apple Mac Store, and I use zero plug-ins or extensions in my browser. Even after all of this, I know I am not completely safe.
Only you can determine if you "need" an anti-malware program. macOS has a number of built-in protections against known malware threats, and if you only get your software from Apple endpoints, you risk should be fairly low. The key here is "known" threats. The biggest vulnerabilities for macOS lie in the zero-day realm.
Good luck!
Rich S.
See this: https://www.pensar.co.uk/blog/are-macs-more-secure-than-pcs
And this: https://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.com/tip/Comparing-macOS-vs-Windows-security
I personally don't run any anti-malware program on my systems, and I only use the default Microsoft Defender on Windows. However, my online behavior is typically risk adverse. I don't got to questionable sites, I check for expired certificates, rarely click on links in emails, and only download executable code from trusted sources. I try to get all of my software from the Apple Mac Store, and I use zero plug-ins or extensions in my browser. Even after all of this, I know I am not completely safe.
Only you can determine if you "need" an anti-malware program. macOS has a number of built-in protections against known malware threats, and if you only get your software from Apple endpoints, you risk should be fairly low. The key here is "known" threats. The biggest vulnerabilities for macOS lie in the zero-day realm.
Good luck!
Rich S.
The first link is written by a company that sells antivirus software for Mac?? Also they use Kapersky as a source?
The second link goes into detail about security but again doesn't really give a clear answer.
The main difference between windows and MacOS in terms of security is how it handles installing software. Windows is a 1000 times better than in the past but drive by attacks can occur and self replicating software only exists on Windows. There is no self installing or self replicating virus for Mac's that I am aware of. It is due to the Unix base or BSD and Mach kernel vs. DOS base and NT kernel which the Unix base is more secure by default.
In other words the USER has to install malware or a person has to have physical access to a Mac to install a virus or malware. In Windows this is not the case which means that in some case Windows will install software without USER intervention. So for Malware you have to be duped into installing it or use a software source that is not official and secure.
All that being said any platform even with AV software can be vulnerable to zero day attacks even with Hueristic scanning. Having AV software may help you catch the zero day faster but that is not always the case.
If you are really paranoid about security then I would suggest using free software that does not have a real time scanner for MacOS. If you are using Windows then Windows Defender is great but you must enable real time protection which is recommended. You can install Malwarebytes free and run scans periodically.
The best thing that can be done is staying up to date and enabling all the security features built into modern OS's. Do not install software from source you do not know is safe. Never install software because of a browser prompt to warning they are usually always malware.
As others have said there is no right or wrong answer here and it depends on what you feel comfortable with. Generally speaking antivirus software is not needed on a Mac but it doesn't mean that you don't need it in all circumstances. You have to assess your own level of risk.
Using any computer running any software on the World Wide Web makes you vulnerable and there is always risk. It really depends on what level of risk you are comfortable with. If you want to harden your device think in terms of layers. The more layers of security you have then more secure you are but you are never completely secure online.
The second link goes into detail about security but again doesn't really give a clear answer.
The main difference between windows and MacOS in terms of security is how it handles installing software. Windows is a 1000 times better than in the past but drive by attacks can occur and self replicating software only exists on Windows. There is no self installing or self replicating virus for Mac's that I am aware of. It is due to the Unix base or BSD and Mach kernel vs. DOS base and NT kernel which the Unix base is more secure by default.
In other words the USER has to install malware or a person has to have physical access to a Mac to install a virus or malware. In Windows this is not the case which means that in some case Windows will install software without USER intervention. So for Malware you have to be duped into installing it or use a software source that is not official and secure.
All that being said any platform even with AV software can be vulnerable to zero day attacks even with Hueristic scanning. Having AV software may help you catch the zero day faster but that is not always the case.
If you are really paranoid about security then I would suggest using free software that does not have a real time scanner for MacOS. If you are using Windows then Windows Defender is great but you must enable real time protection which is recommended. You can install Malwarebytes free and run scans periodically.
The best thing that can be done is staying up to date and enabling all the security features built into modern OS's. Do not install software from source you do not know is safe. Never install software because of a browser prompt to warning they are usually always malware.
As others have said there is no right or wrong answer here and it depends on what you feel comfortable with. Generally speaking antivirus software is not needed on a Mac but it doesn't mean that you don't need it in all circumstances. You have to assess your own level of risk.
Using any computer running any software on the World Wide Web makes you vulnerable and there is always risk. It really depends on what level of risk you are comfortable with. If you want to harden your device think in terms of layers. The more layers of security you have then more secure you are but you are never completely secure online.
I don't agree there is no right or wrong answer. The wrong answer is installing AV software on a Mac. It does harm by greatly impacting performance and giving a false sense of security by not actually doing anything to address the highest risk behaviors. AV software IS the malware.
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We had people at work say this while they were sending virus's to windows machines.
MacOS already have builtinAV protection, this is from the Apple website:
"...runtime protections in macOS work at the very core of your Mac to keep your system safe from malware. This starts with state-of-the-art antivirus software built in to block and remove malware. Technologies like XD (execute disable), ASLR (address space layout randomization), and SIP (system integrity protection) make it difficult for malware to do harm, and they ensure that processes with root permission cannot change critical system files."
But if you have any concern you have the option to install another security level with a third party solution but it could be redundant at least for me, never had a problem with the builtin solution.
"...runtime protections in macOS work at the very core of your Mac to keep your system safe from malware. This starts with state-of-the-art antivirus software built in to block and remove malware. Technologies like XD (execute disable), ASLR (address space layout randomization), and SIP (system integrity protection) make it difficult for malware to do harm, and they ensure that processes with root permission cannot change critical system files."
But if you have any concern you have the option to install another security level with a third party solution but it could be redundant at least for me, never had a problem with the builtin solution.