Virus/Malware scanner for M1 machines?

[t0rqx]

Does anyone here use and could recommend a good virus/malware scanner for M1 machines?

If not, how do you check whether an app is malicious of has a virus? I do occassionally install apps outside the Mac Store as they are not available there.

Been returning to Mac after an absence of 12 years and things have changed.

 

[michalm]

Well the discussion whether or not to use Antimalware is still raging... So in short, if you download apps only from reputable sources, behave online and generally observe common sense, the built-in stuff will suffice.

But, If you don't want to care, or want that piece of mind, or want to make sure you don't send an email that is going to upset your friend's windows pc, Antimalware is a good idea. Most vendors actually have M1 version of the scanning engine out today, my recommendation would go to Bitdefender or Kaspersky. With Antimalware, most of those companies collaborate, so the only difference is the cover for zero day stuff and to be honest, if you are not an enterpise customer, you are not getting much in that case anyway.

My 2p, hope that helps...

 

[t0rqx]

Well the discussion whether or not to use Antimalware is still raging... So in short, if you download apps only from reputable sources, behave online and generally observe common sense, the built-in stuff will suffice.

But, If you don't want to care, or want that piece of mind, or want to make sure you don't send an email that is going to upset your friend's windows pc, Antimalware is a good idea. Most vendors actually have M1 version of the scanning engine out today, my recommendation would go to Bitdefender or Kaspersky. With Antimalware, most of those companies collaborate, so the only difference is the cover for zero day stuff and to be honest, if you are not an enterpise customer, you are not getting much in that case anyway.

My 2p, hope that helps...

Thanks!

 

[lcubed]

i'm not sure why, but Kaspersky anti software has been banned from use on any computers which belong to the US federal govt or its contractors as of september 2019

 

[BATman.Berlin]

i'm not sure why, but Kaspersky anti software has been banned from use on any computers which belong to the US federal govt or its contractors as of september 2019

Because it’s a Russian company

 

[yitwail]

Most vendors actually have M1 version of the scanning engine out today, my recommendation would go to Bitdefender or Kaspersky.

1 computer version of Mac bitdefender was $6 off at Amazon so I went for it. Not sure I'll renew after 1 year, hopefully it's not too cumbersome to cancel the subscription renewal.

 

[satcomer]

The one I recommend Malwarebytes for Mac! The first version only scans when you request it! The paid version have and auto scan and constant lookout!

 

[Apple_Robert]

There are no Mac viruses in the wild and MacOS has built in Malware protection. A separate app really isn't needed, in my opinion. If you feel compelled to use a third party app, use the free version of Malwarebytes.

It is also a good idea not to use the Mac as admin. Use a regular account for day to day use.