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antivirus for mac

despina

despina

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 6, 2021
6
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i’m a first time mac user and i’m wondering wether or not i should install any antivirus programs. my friend who uses a macbook too doesn’t use one and i’ve generally heard that it’s not necessary provided you don’t go into sketchy websites or something. what do you suggest?
 
The OS is already doing a lot, but I would invest in one of the top ad blockers, which is going to be useful. And filter network traffic. Landing on a website is through adware, phishing, clicking on those pesky links in email, etc. You might want to use another browser sometimes, and privacy mode. Good backup procedures.
 
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Been using Macs for well over a decade and have NEVER had any third-party anti-virus software installed on any of them.

Of course, I don't surf porn sites or use torrent or basically do anything that would hasten one's need for said software either.

Basically it comes down to this... hackers are in the business of attacking the largest market for their efforts... Macs aren't exactly a sweet target compared to PCs. Of course if Tim Cook were to make a public announcement saying that Macs were 100% impervious to any sort of hack... the wrath of the hacker community would swoop down on him like no tomorrow and we'd be in worse shape than PCs are.

Good news is, we're considered a tiny market share in terms of desktop computers. It's why gaming companies don't even bother to write games for the platform. The money is in the largest market... PCs.
 
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I recommend Sophos AV that we use on our Macbook Airs. home.sophos.com. You can use the free version or premium which provides some additional functionality. It's business class software, recently released to the home user.
 
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I think it depends on what you do with your computer. Some things that would lead me to install an anti-virus package include:
  • Sending or receiving files with Windows users
  • Regular downloading of file types that often are virus vectors, such as .pdf, .jpg, .doc, and .xls .
  • Any business use of your machine
  • Frequent use of public Wi-Fi networks
I've used Sophos for many years. While I can't recall it ever finding a virus, the web address filtering function has saved me from potentially dangerous URL typos and search engine clicks many times.

If you're dead set against installing anti-virus software, you can at least run downloads you think are risky through VirusTotal, assuming you have good upstream bandwidth.

VirusTotal

VirusTotal
www.virustotal.com www.virustotal.com
 
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There are no Mac viruses in the wild. What you do need to be mindful of is Malware, which you can get going to many non sketchy sites.

I suggest installing Malwarebytes and use the free version to scan your machine once a month. I also suggest getting a good adblocker, using a VPN, and not installing browser extensions.

I would also stick with Safari as it has very good safety and integration with the Mac. Using Firefox or Brave as a backup browser is a good idea as well, in my opinion.
 
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pmiles said:
... hackers are in the business of attacking the largest market for their efforts... Macs aren't exactly a sweet target compared to PCs.
Click to expand...
That may or may not be true, but it's not the reason that Macs have kept the self-replicating virus at bay. The macOS is just secure. That old "market share" line just won't die, even though much has been written to debunk it.
 
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OP:
All you need is MalwareBytes for Mac:

www.malwarebytes.com

Official Site | Malwarebytes: Antivirus, Anti-Malware & Privacy

Malwarebytes offers real-time antivirus, advanced anti-malware and privacy protection for all your devices. Launched in 2004 as a free virus scan, we still offer a free basic version 20 years later. Learn more.
www.malwarebytes.com www.malwarebytes.com

IMPORTANT:
Select the "home" option.
It's a FREE download

IMPORTANT:
You DO NOT NEED TO BUY A SUBSCRIPTION to run MalwareBytes.
It will run FOREVER IN FREE MODE.
When you open it, IGNORE the button to "Upgrade Now" or "Activate License".
Just click "Scan".
Again, you DO NOT have to buy the pay-for version!
 
Gregg2 said:
That may or may not be true, but it's not the reason that Macs have kept the self-replicating virus at bay. The macOS is just secure. That old "market share" line just won't die, even though much has been written to debunk it.
Click to expand...
The false statement here is that MacOS is just secure. Blatantly false.

It's the fact that there is more reason to attack the Windows OS that results in it being more vulnerable. All OSes are vulnerable to attack. Some are more vulnerable due to the shear number of attacks being waged on them. Go figure as to why Windows tops the charts as the most vulnerable OS... highest user base = highest number of potential targets.

Don't fool yourself into thinking your OS is secure... EVEN WITH anti-virus software or any other third-party application protecting it, all they can do is protect you from known attacks. They cannot protect you from things that haven't already been identified.

Trust me, if the hackers truly cared about bringing down the OS, they would. They just really don't care too. That is why Macs seem so secure. It's a false sense of security. If the shoe were on the other foot and Windows had the user base of Macs and MacOS had the user base of PCs... the tables would be turned.

I haven't had the need for such third party protection on my Macs because they have never been on the radar of the hackers for all that time. Now my bootcamp partition... that's a whole different story. That baby is under constant barrage because... get this... it's running Windows. All of a sudden my sweet Mac rig is a tasty morsel to them because I am playing in their sand box.
 
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Personally, my thought process for Mac security measures is more centered around risk management than predictions of bad actors' behavior. I prefer spending some time up front–and money if justified–to minimize the possibility of having to deal with the fallout of an attacker putting viruses or malware on my computer. I view anti-virus and anti-malware software as a form of insurance. Yes, it sucks that I need it but I feel that having it lets me sleep better than not having it.

Also, we are all human and we make mistakes, especially when we are in a rush, distracted, or tired. Relying on constant vigilance as sole protection requires perfection. I don't think any of us can reach that standard very often, especially with something that is constantly changing and morphing.
 
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KaliYoni said:
Personally, my thought process for Mac security measures is more centered around risk management than predictions of bad actors' behavior. I prefer spending some time up front–and money if justified–to minimize the possibility of having to deal with the fallout of an attacker putting viruses or malware on my computer. I view anti-virus and anti-malware software as a form of insurance. Yes, it sucks that I need it but I feel that having it lets me sleep better than not having it.

Also, we are all human and we make mistakes, especially when we are in a rush, distracted, or tired. Relying on constant vigilance as sole protection requires perfection. I don't think any of us can reach that standard very often, especially with something that is constantly changing and morphing.
Click to expand...
Nothing wrong with using Malware detection software on a Mac. That is a logical and prudent thing to do, in my opinion. Installing anti-virus programs on a Mac is not productive and often times, said programs end up causing problems after install.
 
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pmiles said:
It's the fact that there is more reason to attack the Windows OS that results in it being more vulnerable. ... Some are more vulnerable due to the shear number of attacks being waged on them. Go figure as to why Windows tops the charts as the most vulnerable OS... highest user base = highest number of potential targets.
Click to expand...
Not true. But if you want to believe the hype generated from companies that want to sell you software, go ahead. Macs are more secure because the OS is based on UNIX. It has nothing to do with market share.
 
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MacOS already contains built-in malware, and most Mac software is cryptographically signed, making malware infections less likely. An antivirus won't protect you from possible exploits in third-party software, but an antivirus program presents a potential target as it is another highly complex program that is run with elevated privileges. I would recommend agains installing any third-party antivirus. A non-resident malware checker is ok if you want to use one, but not necessary.
 
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Gregg2 said:
Not true. But if you want to believe the hype generated from companies that want to sell you software, go ahead. Macs are more secure because the OS is based on UNIX. It has nothing to do with market share.
Click to expand...
UNIX is no less vulnerable to attacks that any other OS. PERIOD. CUT AND DRY. You make the assumption that it is safer because there are less known attacks against it.

I am not selling anti-virus software. I'm not suggesting anyone install it. All I am stating... is a fact... ALL OSES are vulnerable to attacks. Every last one of them. The degree to which they are attacked has more to do with the shear volume of potential victims than anything else.

A hacker, when challenged... will gladly take you up on it and prove you wrong. Please do. Go out on twitter and challenge them, say you will give them 1 million dollars to bring Mac OS to it's knees and they will gladly oblige. For you have given them a reason to do so.

Anything that requires code to do anything can be manipulated with code to do something you didn't intend it too. The only computer impervious to attacks is one on a closed system. Last time I checked, these forums can't be accessed by a closed system.

Live in your dream world. You may never see a single hack... because really why spend the effort hacking Mac OS when there are billions out there using Windows. It's like a shoplifter who chooses to prey on ghost towns.
 
despina said:
i’m a first time mac user and i’m wondering wether or not i should install any antivirus programs. my friend who uses a macbook too doesn’t use one and i’ve generally heard that it’s not necessary provided you don’t go into sketchy websites or something. what do you suggest?
Click to expand...
OP: if you're still reading this discussion, here are some suggestions if you do decide to install security software:

Level 1 (foundation)
  • Anti-virus (I use Sophos)
  • Anti-malware (I use Malwarebytes)
  • Firefox browser with ad blocking and Javascript blocking add-ons (I use AdBlock Plus and NoScript) for general web browsing. I keep Safari relatively stock and only use it with a very small number of trusted websites.
Level 2 (good to have if you don't mind the convenience vs. security tradeoffs)
  • Little Snitch (monitor outgoing Internet connections, essentially a reverse firewall)
  • RansomWhere (anti-ransomware monitor)
  • SilentKnight (utility for easily checking Apple's own security measures in macOS for updates)
 
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As this is a frequent topic, there seem to be 3 different approaches:

1. Do nothing - the Mac is intrinsically safe

2. Install free Malwarebytes

3. Install an antivirus package

(1) and (2) are the most popular on MacRumors. The distribution among the general Mac population don't know.

I subscribe to (3), via Sophos.

www.digitaltrends.com

Does your Mac need antivirus software? We ask the experts | Digital Trends

MacOS isn't immune to harmful malware and other destructive code. But do you really need antivirus software for your Mac or MacBook? Let’s find out.
www.digitaltrends.com www.digitaltrends.com
 
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pmiles said:
UNIX is no less vulnerable to attacks that any other OS. PERIOD. CUT AND DRY. You make the assumption that it is safer because there are less known attacks against it.
Click to expand...
I make no such assumption. You've just stated your assumption. UNIX was developed with an emphasis on security, and it is more secure by design.

The market share theory is BS. It gets repeated ad nauseam because it sounds logical. Lots of things that aren't true sound logical.

I'm not on Twitter, but the challenge is out there for any hacker who wants to become famous. Such people exist, and don't need money as motivation.
 
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pmiles said:
It's the fact that there is more reason to attack the Windows OS that results in it being more vulnerable. All OSes are vulnerable to attack.
Click to expand...
Sure, all software has faults leading to vulnerabilities, but it's a fallacy to assume that third-party companies can protect you from vulnerabilities better than the people who actually built the operating system.
 
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Gregg2 said:
I make no such assumption. You've just stated your assumption. UNIX was developed with an emphasis on security, and it is more secure by design.

The market share theory is BS. It gets repeated ad nauseam because it sounds logical. Lots of things that aren't true sound logical.

I'm not on Twitter, but the challenge is out there for any hacker who wants to become famous. Such people exist, and don't need money as motivation.
Click to expand...
The sky is blue is BS... see anyone can find a retort and not have to back it up,

Just because you don't consider it a reason as to why viruses are prominent on one platform over another doesn't make any less valid. That's your perception. And for the matter, I never touted the only reason why viruses are more prevalent on Windows was market saturation. That was your hook. I stated that ALL OSes are vulnerable to attacks. One just is more likely to get attacked due to... in your disbelief, market share.

Whether you choose to believe it or not is moot. The fact remains that all OSes are vulnerable to attacks and all it takes is someone willing to take the time to find it's vulnerabilities to prove it. And for the record, they prove it every day... because there is no need to have security updates for a supposedly secure machine now is there.

Put your head in the sand if you wish, but don't fool yourself into thinking that some UNIX box is impervious to exploits. Because it's not.
 
"Does my Mac need an AV?" usually kicks off a hot argument. There are such strong feelings and defences from all sides that AV/malware questions should just be moved to the Politics/Religion sub-forums here!
 
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