Can Macs get viruses? Is antivirus software necessary for your Mac? For years, Mac users have been asking these questions. The truth is that the answer may not be as straightforward as you might think. We’ve broken it down below.
Are Macs susceptible to viruses?
Macs were considered to be very secure and safe systems in the past. This belief has been perpetuated by many who believe that Macs are immune from malware and viruses. This is false. Macs can be infected by viruses and other malware just as easily as other systems. Security companies have found malware and threats specifically targeting Macs.
There are many protections built into Macs that can stop malware infecting them. Gatekeeper and XProtect are two of these protections (more information below). These protections are not fool proof, so you might need to add protection for your Mac.
What are the built-in security features for Mac?
Macs have many security features built in to protect them. You may be surprised to learn that your Mac already has an anti-malware scanner running in the background called XProtect.
XProtect checks every file you open for malware and scans it against macOS. If any file appears suspicious, XProtect will warn you that it could cause damage to your computer.
Gatekeeper is another technology that has been integrated into macOS. Gatekeeper prevents unknown programs from causing damage. Gatekeeper prevents software not signed with an Apple-issued certificate of developer from opening on your Mac unless you authorize it.
It is possible to be dangerous with unsigned software. However, many free software developers cannot afford the $99 it takes to join Apple’s Developer Program or issue certificates. Unsigned software is more likely to be malicious than applications downloaded from the Mac App Store, or signed with an Apple developer certificate.
Sandboxing is also used by macOS. Sandboxing is, as the name implies, providing an app with the only essentials it requires to fulfill its purpose. You can limit the app’s capabilities and give additional permissions to it based on user input.
Are Viruses able to bypass my Mac’s security features?
MacOS can often stop viruses and other malware in its tracks. Apple cannot detect if malware is new or not known to exist before it can harm your system. This could mean that it could bypass security features. These are known as zero-day threats. Your Mac won’t recognize them until Apple updates its database.
Software with Apple developer certificates has been contaminated by malware. OSX/CrescentCore, for example, was found to be posing as an Adobe Flash Player Installation disk image in June 2019. The malware downloaded and installed an app to your computer, including Advanced Mac Cleaner, Launch Agent or a Safari extension. The malware then ran a scan of your Mac to make sure it was running antivirus software. It would then exploit your machine if the system was not protected. OSX/CrescentCore came with a signed developer certificate. This allowed it to infect machines for many days before Apple discovered it.
Apple usually responds quickly to security threats and releases security updates for the most recent macOS version and any previous versions. This protects your Mac from vulnerabilities and flaws that could be exploited by hackers.
What Antivirus Software Do I Need for My Mac?
Apple’s security system may be quite effective, but it is not foolproof. Apple’s security systems rely heavily on Apple tagging and identifying malware and viruses to update its databases. This protects macOS systems from potential vulnerabilities. Apple is not a security company and doesn’t monitor third-party products as closely.
Here is where antivirus software comes in. Antivirus software can be an added layer of protection for your Mac. This is not a bad thing. Although antivirus software is not essential, it can provide additional benefits, even if it isn’t “essential”.
Important to remember that antivirus software cannot be foolproof. Your Mac may be infected by a new, undetected infection even if you have antivirus software. The chances of getting infected are low if you follow the basic guidelines (which we will cover at the end).
What Antivirus should I install on my Mac?
Many paid and free antivirus programs are available for macOS. It is important to only use trusted antivirus software and ensure that it doesn’t slow down your system. We recommend that you choose from our top macOS antivirus software.
How can I keep my Mac safe from malware?
Apple has built-in security measures to protect your Mac, but you can also use these general tips to avoid malware.
Keep macOS up to date
MacOS can be kept up-to-date with the most recent version to ensure your computer is safe. Apple releases regular updates to its Mac operating system to address flaws and vulnerabilities. It is therefore important to ensure that your system is always up-to-date.
Avoid public Wi-Fi networks
While public Wi-Fi networks are great for connecting to the internet while on the move, other users could spy on you and gain access your passwords or private information. Instead of using a public Wi Fi network, you can use a virtual private network (VPN), or a personal WiFi hotspot. Avoid transmitting sensitive or secure data, such as credit card numbers, over the public network if you have to.
Beware of Spam Emails and Phishing
Spam emails and phishing emails are a common place where malware is found. Many users fall for the link, which appears to be authentic. This link can install malware on your computer that could damage your system and steal your data. Important to know that antivirus programs are not designed to protect against scams or phishing emails. If you want your Mac to be protected, you should avoid these viruses.
Adobe Flash Player is not required
Adobe removed Flash Player from its website on December 31, 2020. This was for a good reason. Many security companies have advised against Flash Player installation, because Flash Player updates can be used to introduce malware.
People who wish to watch or download a movie or video online (for free), will need to update Flash player on the host’s site in order to view the content. This fake update contains malware that infects your computer.
Flash has been replaced by HTML5 so you don’t need to install Flash.
Make sure your Mac is protected!
Malwarebytes reports that the number of Mac computers being attacked by malware has increased by 61 per cent between 2019 and 2020. It is important to take extra care of your computer. In case of an emergency, we recommend that you have a backup of all your data.
