MAC Security Software???

[kjbill]

What is everyone doing to protect your MAC computer against malware, adware, ransomware, web browsing, and email threats? Besides common-sense practices like: don't go to strange websites, don't click on unknown emails, etc...

I know some people say macOS doesn’t need extra protection, but my research so far shows a 50-50 split in opinion.
I also know that no solution is 100% guaranteed, but it would be nice to get as close as possible to protecting your Mac.

Do you use software like Malwarebytes, X-Out, Bitdefender Total Security, McAfee Total Protection 2020, Intego Mac Internet Security X9, Norton 360, etc?

If yes, how do you like them?

 

[edubfromktown]

I don't use 3rd party prodcut(s), just remain vigilant about where I browse, download, avoid all browser plug-in's, what I click on in e-mail messages, etc. and run a couple of Pi-holes in different zones (internal and DMZ) to filter out garbage dns requests and advertising browser sidebar excrement.

In addition to the products you mentioned above (some of which I would not touch with a 10-foot pole like Symantec), another product to consider: Cylance Smart Antivirus (acquired by Blackberry) might be worth $29 per year...

 

[Taz Mangus]

I use the third party ad-blocker Ka-Block for Safari.

 

[kjbill]

I don't use 3rd party prodcut(s), just remain vigilant about where I browse, download, avoid all browser plug-in's, what I click on in e-mail messages, etc. and run a couple of Pi-holes in different zones (internal and DMZ) to filter out garbage dns requests and advertising browser sidebar excrement.

In addition to the products you mentioned above (some of which I would not touch with a 10-foot pole like Symantec), another product to consider: Cylance Smart Antivirus (acquired by Blackberry) might be worth $29 per year...

Thank you for the comments.
Interesting... never heard of Cylance Smart Antivirus. Just curious, why would that one be good and not the others? It doesn't seem to be signature based.

 

[tranceking26]

adguard and malwarebytes free are all I need

 

[edubfromktown]

Thank you for the comments.
Interesting... never heard of Cylance Smart Antivirus. Just curious, why would that one be good and not the others? It doesn't seem to be signature based.

Cylance makes a legit enterprise product that I had considered prior to their acquisition by Blackberry (I ended up selecting a different product for that purpose).

Not sure what all is baked in their "desktop" product but I'd say it is worth a look... and in the long run, getting away from signature-based products will be a winning strategy in my opinion.

 

[Smoothie]

I used Bitdefender a few years ago. It was fine, but they later issued an update that bundled their own VPN. They didn't give you the option to not install the VPN. Since I already was using a different VPN, I didn't need Bitdefender's product. I ended up uninstalling Bitdefender, and the uninstall process required modifying some Mac system files. I keep getting email from Bitdefender to subscribe, but I'm not going through that again.

 

[kjbill]

Cylance makes a legit enterprise product that I had considered prior to their acquisition by Blackberry (I ended up selecting a different product for that purpose).

Not sure what all is baked in their "desktop" product but I'd say it is worth a look... and in the long run, getting away from signature-based products will be a winning strategy in my opinion.

I just found this video. Cylance didn't work too well on windows. I wonder if it works better on the Mac.

[automerge]1590686291[/automerge]

I used Bitdefender a few years ago. It was fine, but they later issued an update that bundled their own VPN. They didn't give you the option to not install the VPN. Since I already was using a different VPN, I didn't need Bitdefender's product. I ended up uninstalling Bitdefender, and the uninstall process required modifying some Mac system files. I keep getting email from Bitdefender to subscribe, but I'm not going through that again.

Thanks for the comments.
How about Intego Mac Internet Security X9? It's supposed to be made specifically for the Mac.
Has anyone used it?

 

[tyc0746]

What are you planning on doing on your Mac that is likely to bring all this malware raining down on you.

Whatever it is, stop it! Then no 3rd party AV product should be required

I've used Macs since 1988 and whilst our work computers had a period of using SAM (Symantec Antivirus for Mac) and then Norton Tools in the early 90s - mainly to clear up infected Microsoft Office files that Windows users had sent us (there was a spate of macro virii going around and they were sent to Mac users to clean as we couldn't run macros at the time, so were protected due to Microsoft shafting Mac users) - it also was about the same time we had a Mac virus affecting a specific MDEF resource part of files.

I get the odd Flash Player download in my download folder from 'drive by popups' but I'd never think of opening a strange DMG, never mind installing the app on it - plus my download folder is kept pretty clear, so anything new/unusual is spotted quickly.

However, I've not installed anything on my own Macs.

 

[flowrider]

Virus and Malware checker for mac?

Hey folks, is there a recommended virus and malware checker for Mac? The machine is running Catalina. Thank you

forums.macrumors.com

Mac Anti-Malware

Hello! I'm new to mac.. before i got a mac, i used most of the time windows... so here is my question: should i install an anti malware program (like Kaspersky or something)? Thanks!

forums.macrumors.com

Lou

 

[stephenschimpf]

What are you planning on doing on your Mac that is likely to bring all this malware raining down on you.

Whatever it is, stop it! Then no 3rd party AV product should be required

Exactly. If I were setting up a computer for my mom to use, I'd be worried about it because I'd be afraid she'll click on anything. But on my own computer...I've never had any third-party security software and have never had a problem.

 

[johannnn]

- Mac antivirus software are signature based and not heuristic based, or very limited heuristics. This means that they're crap. I have seen an example where they took a macOS malware that 30 of 57 products flagged (virustotal.com), changed a few meaningless comments within the malware, and then 0 of 57 products flagged it.

- Malmware needs a vector to your system. Finding flaws in apps with root access is the best vector. All antivirus software needs root access. Therefore, try to install as few things as possible that requires you to enter your password during installation.

- I think the guys at Objective-see are the best by far. Go check their many presentations if you want to learn more. If you need a software to feel safe, I'd go with https://objective-see.com/products/blockblock.html.

- Easiest solution is just to use common sense. If you use Safari, disable automatic opening of downloaded files. Don't install pirated software as they often come with malware. Apple checks the code of all apps in the AppStore, so they might be safer than random apps on GitHub.

- For the love of God, don't use apps from Norton or McAfee. Please go with apps from Objective-See.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

What am I doing to protect my Macs? I use macOS and keep it up to date. After that, I use typical safe computing practices.

It's clear by your posts that you are looking for a product recommendation - that you want to use something beyond the protections that come with the OS. That's your prerogative. Since I'm part of the other "50," I doubt anything I suggest will be satisfying.

It's natural that there's a split of opinion on what's necessary for protection, just as there's a split of opinion on just about any question. Each person perceives threats/risk (and their ability to deal with them) differently, whether it's how safe they feel when they leave their homes or how safe they feel using their computers.

The preventative methods they use may or may not ever be seriously tested - maybe their "ounce of prevention" actually did something, maybe nothing bad would have happened even without that ounce. And maybe the preventative measures didn't defend against the right risk and something bad happened anyway.

Few have the experience to know with certainty which anti-malware product is the most effective. If they find it easy to use, does not significantly slow their computer, charges a price they find acceptable, has convincingly positive product reviews... then they're likely to recommend it. If/when they run into a problem (such as the unwanted VPN mentioned in another post, or difficulty with updates, or persistent popups asking them to upgrade to the paid version...), then they may has something less positive to say. I'd take it all with a very larger grain of salt.

 

[tyc0746]

Final point from me...

You don't need to use an admin account as your one and only account. Set up a user account that limits what can be installed without permission, and then requires an admin username & password to install anything with escalated rights.

 

[duanepatrick]

In my opinion, you just need to be aware of what can and what can't infect your computer. That's the best antivirus that you will have.

 

[Morod]

Airo security. It's made for Macs only.
https://www.airoav.com

 

[nickdalzell1]

I simply stay off ThePirateBay, P2P and the Dark Web. Viruses are brought upon users by going to bad places online. No one really needs anti-virus, just exercise common sense. I even have Windows Defender deleted from my Windows 10 machines since it ate 25% the CPU.

 

[johannnn]

Airo security. It's made for Macs only.
https://www.airoav.com

€49.99/year for the same functionality as the free BlockBlock and the free KnockKnock.

 

[bogdanw]

AV-TEST "The best MacOS antivirus software for home users" https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-macos/

 

[gilby101]

How about Intego Mac Internet Security X9? It's supposed to be made specifically for the Mac.

Heavy on system resources. Expensive.

I mostly use Malwarebytes, Adguard and Object-See's block-block. Also Little-Snitch (for network app firewall) though I now use it in allow all mode - but I do use the network monitor a lot.

If you want a traditional a-v product, I suggest Avast-free with just the file scanner running. Seems to me to be lighter on system resources than alternatives.

 

[satcomer]

For years I’ve used Open DNS.com because they use PhishTank.com (think of it they have have been an open source users submissions for years now)!

Plus with that I also scan about once every 4 months scan with MalwareBytes.com sense Apple trusts them too!

 

[bogdanw]

For years I’ve used Open DNS.com

Similar services
Quad9 DNS https://www.quad9.net
Cloudflare No Malware https://blog.cloudflare.com/introducing-1-1-1-1-for-families/

 

[GalileoSeven]

Previously, I'd used/tried HouseCall (TrendMicro), Bitdefender and Avast. Now, I just rely on a combination of uBlock Origin + Ghostery and Malwarebytes.

Those + safe/smart browsing practices is more than enough for me.

 

[avz]

I always wondered what makes Mac users seriously think about a third party antivirus(putting aside professionals who must have it for one reason or the other)? I remember when I was using Windows XP I got all sorts of pop-ups left, right and centre. But with Mac you have to try very hard to get even one lousy pop-up. I am still using Mavericks and found it to be just as safe as Mojave.

 

[duanepatrick]

I always wondered what makes Mac users seriously think about a third party antivirus(putting aside professionals who must have it for one reason or the other)? I remember when I was using Windows XP I got all sorts of pop-ups left, right and centre. But with Mac you have to try very hard to get even one lousy pop-up. I am still using Mavericks and found it to be just as safe as Mojave.

Yeah, good old days...I miss Steve...I wish someone out there will make Apple great again.