Is antivirus really needed on a Mac?

[TinyMito]

Nothing immune to virus, virus term is old - mostly malware just app does malicious things to your computer software.

Just don't download from untrusted source, shady apps, go on shady websites like app crack websites. It's all about the user knowledge. I don't have AV install on Windows or Mac for the last 15 years on computer.

Just don't download stupid things. Buy software if you need for your work or get open source app (also check for GitHub etc. make sure it is legit not closed).

Learn how to detect phishing website, fake emails, don't click on links without checking. Nothing is free in this world. Fake website alerts you have virus now it's fake. It's mostly a scam website.

 

[WebHead]

Windows has it’s own feature that many rarely take advantage of and that is UAC. If one sets UAC to it’s highest level, it adds another level of protection to the OS. The problem is that a user will more frequently get the annoying UAC prompt on the screen. I can live with that.

Yes, I remember when they introduced that, it seemed to be modelled on the Mac's admin password but more intrusive (as is the MS way).

Yes - many times, especially when there is yet another email with "someone left a voice mail. Click here to listen".

Not a virus per se - see above.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

I’ve never needed anti-virus software in nearly four decades of using Macs. The only threats are “socially engineered” ones where you’re tricked into granting access. Nothing can propagate on its own.

[sarcasm]So you’re the one responsible for a massive nVIR infection in the 1990s. Why didn’t you at least use Disinfectant? [/sarcasm]

 

[WebHead]

[sarcasm]So you’re the one responsible for a massive nVIR infection in the 1990s. Why didn’t you at least use Disinfectant? [/sarcasm]

I should clarify I mean OS X when I say Macs don't get viruses. Before that they had to rely on security through obscurity. I did have a close call with one during the OS 8.5-9 days.

 

[TiggrToo]

There are people who can drive for 60 years and never once have an accident.

That doesn't mean there are no accidents.

The malware market is heating up and it's getting easier than ever to get caught out.

And it's not the OS that one always has to worry about (although the recent inetloc vulnerability was a scare), third party apps can provide an interesting attack vector.

Microsoft patched Excel on windows for an in-the-wild issue but have yet to provide a patch for Mac.

These and others provide is access to push malware to unsuspecting folk.

And people claiming they've never had any malware is not the same as their machines having never been infected.

Ransomeware by its nature is obvious. Other malware not so much.

Never ever take other people's advice to not use some level of protection. Not one single person who tells you that will be around to help you out should you flow their advice and then get infected. So the advice not to is free and without risk to them.

Malware detection is insurance. You may never need it, but then again it could be tomorrow that you do.

I've never been adversely affected by malware myself. I still run Sophos because life's too short to gamble otherwise.

 

[Idun098TZZ]

Hi,
as many said before an antivirus is not really essential for MACs since Apple is doing a pretty job in terms of security (plus the majority of viruses/trojans/malware are Windows-based).
So, I personally use one, since I travel a lot and always have to connect to public wifi. But so far I haven't met a problem, I think it's good to have extra protection, but depends on everyone's personal choice.

 

[WebHead]

And people claiming they've never had any malware is not the same as their machines having never been infected.

Personally I said I'd never had viruses, defined as self-installing and self-propagating exploits. I haven't heard of any macOS viruses in the wild; they've always been "proofs of concept" that rely on admin/root access. Apple does a pretty good job of requiring an admin password without getting too intrusive.

Of course there is other malware about, but it relies on the user inadvertently executing it. You can install AV and/or you can just be vigilant. The latter has worked for me so far.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Don’t waste time with installing anti-virus software. If you are prone to clicking on things you shouldn’t when online, create a new user account on your Mac that does not have admin rights, and use that account when using the Mac.

 

[TiggrToo]

Don’t waste time with installing anti-virus software. If you are prone to clicking on things you shouldn’t when online, create a new user account on your Mac that does not have admin rights, and use that account when using the Mac.

You really think that using a non-admin account is enough to protect you?

Wow...You've a lot to learn about privileged escalation attacks.

Got a favorite app you use that uses open source libraries? How sure are you that none of those have been compromised?

Favorite website? How sure are you those libraries haven't been compromised?

Allow adverts on web pages? Another attack vector.

This is nothing to do clicking on things you shouldn't.

This is about the increasing ease for criminals to compromise your system.

One day you'll realize your mistake. AV will not always protect you but, then again, it just might.