Good antivirus app from Mac app store

[nbnbxdnb]

Hi, I kind of wonder if antivirus is necessary these days. I am inclined to believe there are threats on mac, so maybe it is not a bad idea to take precaution. Then I want to avoid some unknown or incomprehensible problem to me by downloading from Mac app store. Is this a good idea? Do you have some recommendations? It goes without saying that, I am not looking for an app that slows down the system significantly or cause problem to timemachine backup. I read about some of these in the past. BUt I haven't looked for a long time. If you can give me some idea, I thank you in advance.

 

[chscag]

You don't need an AV app. I'm sure you've been told that before so why do you think that one is necessary now? Just run an app that discovers and removes malware which does exist for macOS. All AV apps that I'm aware of whether or not they are from the Mac App Store use resources and can slow your system down.

And as of now, there still are no viruses in the wild that can infect your Mac. Do not confuse a virus with malware as they are not the same although some folks group them together.

 

[iRaynor SK]

The only antivirus I allow on my Mac is Malwarebytes. I have paid version, without affect to system performance.

 

[AZhappyjack]

The only antivirus I allow on my Mac is Malwarebytes. I have paid version, without affect to system performance.

Malwarebytes is more "anti-malware" than "antivirus".

 

[willmtaylor]

Hi, I kind of wonder if antivirus is necessary these days. I am inclined to believe there are threats on mac, so maybe it is not a bad idea to take precaution. Then I want to avoid some unknown or incomprehensible problem to me by downloading from Mac app store. Is this a good idea? Do you have some recommendations? It goes without saying that, I am not looking for an app that slows down the system significantly or cause problem to timemachine backup. I read about some of these in the past. BUt I haven't looked for a long time. If you can give me some idea, I thank you in advance.

You’ve been around since 2010, yet you felt the need to ask this again? It’s only asked about once a week.

 

[iRaynor SK]

Malwarebytes is more "anti-malware" than "antivirus".

virus, adware, spyware... all are malware

 

[keysofanxiety]

Malwarebytes is more "anti-malware" than "antivirus".

True, but there aren’t any native Mac viruses. It’s mainly malware and the odd Flash/Java exploit which MWB Premium should pick up anyway.

 

[nbnbxdnb]

You don't need an AV app. I'm sure you've been told that before so why do you think that one is necessary now? Just run an app that discovers and removes malware which does exist for macOS. All AV apps that I'm aware of whether or not they are from the Mac App Store use resources and can slow your system down.

And as of now, there still are no viruses in the wild that can infect your Mac. Do not confuse a virus with malware as they are not the same although some folks group them together.

Thanks. I think you mean you do not use antivirus. Fair enough. I also look for malware protection. My thought is an antivirus should handle them all. Would you agree with that? I know there are some distinctions between virus and malware.
[doublepost=1560800994][/doublepost]

You’ve been around since 2010, yet you felt the need to ask this again? It’s only asked about once a week.

Thanks. I have been only using Macbook pro as my home computer since 2007. So earlier than 2010. : D
I am happy in general. But some reports about virus did catch my attention. More I use this system the more security I demand, because of how much of my life is tethered with it.
[doublepost=1560801091][/doublepost]

virus, adware, spyware... all are malware

I lack the technical knowhow to filter the basics like what is malware and what is virus. I have used apps like Avast in the past. I think I could have a better feeling when it is downloaded from Mac app store, which will require sandbox and limited access to system files and so on. I saw Avira is also in Mac store.I think I could have a better feeling when it is downloaded from Mac app store, which will require sandbox and limited access to system files and so on. WOuld you think it is a good idea to use apps like Avira Security?

 

[willmtaylor]

Hi, I kind of wonder if antivirus is necessary these days. I am inclined to believe there are threats on mac, so maybe it is not a bad idea to take precaution. Then I want to avoid some unknown or incomprehensible problem to me by downloading from Mac app store. Is this a good idea? Do you have some recommendations? It goes without saying that, I am not looking for an app that slows down the system significantly or cause problem to timemachine backup. I read about some of these in the past. BUt I haven't looked for a long time. If you can give me some idea, I thank you in advance.

Here, read up:

• New to iMac... antivirus/malware?
• Antivirus
• Which On Demand Malware Scanner To Go For?
• Do you use antivirus software?
• antivirus... please help!
• Do I Need an anti virus on my macbook
• Recommended antivirus and malware
• Best antivirus for MacOS ?
• What Anti-Virus and/or Firewall software do you use?
• Antivirus on Mac - yes or no?
• Do you invest in Antivirus protection?
• Do I need anti-virus on my Mac?
• Malware on my Mac
• Adware and Malware Prevention
• Removing (and Identifying) Trojan/Malware
• MacBook Pro malware?
• How to Clean Mac of Malware and Viruses
• Virus protection For iMac ?
• Virus/Malware App

 

[nbnbxdnb]

Here, read up:

• New to iMac... antivirus/malware?
• Antivirus
• Which On Demand Malware Scanner To Go For?
• Do you use antivirus software?
• antivirus... please help!
• Do I Need an anti virus on my macbook
• Recommended antivirus and malware
• Best antivirus for MacOS ?
• What Anti-Virus and/or Firewall software do you use?
• Antivirus on Mac - yes or no?
• Do you invest in Antivirus protection?
• Do I need anti-virus on my Mac?
• Malware on my Mac
• Adware and Malware Prevention
• Removing (and Identifying) Trojan/Malware
• MacBook Pro malware?
• How to Clean Mac of Malware and Viruses
• Virus protection For iMac ?
• Virus/Malware App

Thanks a lot!

 

[willmtaylor]

Thanks a lot!

You’re welcome

 

[Bending Pixels]

Unless you're looking at naughty stuff or frequent the Dark Web, you don't need AV

 

[09872738]

I think I could have a better feeling when it is downloaded from Mac app store, which will require sandbox and limited access to system files and so on (...) WOuld you think it is a good idea to use apps like Avira Security?

1) If the AV is sandboxed, how exactly could it possibly thoroughly scan the system?

2) No. Not at all

 

[TMRJIJ]

Unless you are looking for it yourself, you’re probably more likely to win the lottery than have a virus on your Mac. The only true dangers that can inflict your computer are things you install yourself.
I suggest just getting the free version of Malwarebytes and run a full scan every two months if you just want to be cautious.
Maybe get an Adblocker such as AdGuard to stop those annoying flash player pop-ups.

Even on Windows, I never buy into Antivirus protection. They’re nothing bloatware feeding money and/or performance power off of the technically challenged who also happened to have numerous browser toolbars and ‘free’ games taking up valuable hard disk space.

 

[nbnbxdnb]

1) If the AV is sandboxed, how exactly could it possibly thoroughly scan the system?

2) No. Not at all

1) there are many big name AV softwares missing in the App Store. So I thought, yeah, maybe sandbox and other restrictions make it tricky. But on the other side, I see some AV like ClamXav, Avira or Bitdefender... So maybe it is possible. Like I said I don’t how these technologies work in detail.
2) OK. So it is not a good one.

 

[iRaynor SK]

Unless you're looking at naughty stuff or frequent the Dark Web, you don't need AV

Can someone confirm me that 100% of Mac malware is on Dark Web and naughty stuff webpages?

 

[willmtaylor]

Can someone confirm me that 100% of Mac malware is on Dark Web and naughty stuff webpages?

No. Legit websites can get malicious ads in their ad pool as well.

 

[iRaynor SK]

Also don’t forget this:

https://objective-see.com/malware.html

Collection of Mac malware

Yes, Macs can get infected too

 

[chscag]

A virus is self replicating by definition, malware is different. Also, I don't know why you included the URL of a page that in itself could cause someone to inadvertently download malware. Warning or no warning, that page is dangerous.

 

[iRaynor SK]

I just wanted to prevent posts like "so show me ONE malware/virus for Mac"

Macs can get infected too, they are not invulnerable. But choosing an antivirus/antimalware for Mac is very hard, based on many investigations I can only recommend Malwarebytes. No other antivirus/antimalware is allowed to run on my Mac.

 

[Gregg2]

I have decided to use the words "weave" and "liquor" interchangeably, at random. I don't think there should be any confusion resulting from this.

 

[willmtaylor]

I have decided to use the words "weave" and "liquor" interchangeably, at random. I don't think there should be any confusion resulting from this.

Just for clarification—weave the verb or weave the noun?

 

[Toutou]

I just wanted to prevent posts like "so show me ONE malware/virus for Mac"

These post exist mostly because there are people on this forum who don't use the words "virus" and "malware" interchangeably. It's true that there are no Mac viruses. Other kinds of malware, sure.

 

[Gregg2]

Just for clarification—weave the verb or weave the noun?

Clarification? You don't need no stinkin' clarification!

But, you point out precisely why I settled on that word.

 

[mactofan]

By far I have no antivirus software on my MBA and also no virus infection on the system. I did try to download some free antivirus like Avast and Avira, hoping they could reduce the infection risk but later I found they acted so annoying with the pop-up notifications and what I can't bear is, I cannot get rid of those software by normal means.
I think you should think twice before installing an antivirus software, and you'd better do some research, like does the app vendor provide the uninstallation instructions? Instead of relying on antivirus to avoid infection, I think pre-caution is more important, like don't download suspicious files or visit untruthworthy sites.