antivirus on Mac

[9873697]

I switched to Mac as every PC I had got a virus, malware, troyan and even ransomware once. That was 80% of the reason and 20% iCloud system for files so I don`t lose anything.

I use PC when goint to torrent sites and I have pc for getting viruses (it sounds funny but it`s just for downloading media).

The question is, can I visit a site and get a virus with just a pop up message? I have never ever visited any sucpicious site with a Mac. PC standing next to my Mac if I need to download some media.

I donwload files and then I copy it to SD and transfer to a Mac. Sometimes I think it`s a double job.

Should I get Eset32? Can I get a virus with a pop up when it pops up? Can I visit a site where media is downloaded and don`t worry?

I visited like maybe up to 10 websites on a Mac and 99% of things is downloaded only via Appstore. I had thing that steals passwords on a pc (Zemana antimalware cleaned it) and ransomware but that couldn`t be cleaned so I have Mac and I think I am panicking about viruses and etc as I still use old laptop for media..

 

[gilby101]

You will be told that Macs don't/can't get viruses. This is approximately true with the strict meaning of a computer virus. From your remarks you are concerned about malware (nasties) in general. Macs are more resistant than Windows, nevertheless it is prudent to mitigate risks.

The free version Malwarebytes will help you check your machine regularly and clean up after an incident. The paid version will do more.

If you want a real time product which will detect both Mac and Windows malware, I suggest Avast (free version with just file scanner active).

iCloud system for files so I don`t lose anything.

iCloud is a syncing service. So any corrupt files on your disk get sent to iCloud. For protection against ransomeware (and risks in general) you need a backup. I suggest Time Machine to a local hard disk and a backup into the cloud (e.g. Arq Backup or Backblaze) to mitigate major disasters.

 

[revmacian]

If you have a habit of playing in the mud.. then you’re going to end up getting dirty. Just saying.

 

[Fishrrman]

There aren't any "Mac viruses" that have been released "into the wild".
Not. A. Single. One.

There is "malware", "adware", and "crapware".
For this, you can use the FREE MalwareBytes app to detect and clean it out.

 

[Weaselboy]

The question is, can I visit a site and get a virus with just a pop up message?

No you cannot. You would need to enter your admin password to allow the malicious app access to your system. If you do not do that, it cannot install anything.

macOS has built in malware protection that of us find more than adequate.

 

[Gregg2]

You will be told that Macs don't/can't get viruses. This is approximately true with the strict meaning of a computer virus.

I agree. Don't? TRUE (as yet in OSX/macOS) Can't? Impossible to prove a negative.

 

[9873697]

wow so many answers. thanks people I didnt expect it so much.. lets answers to all as I really do appreciate it

@revmacian I agree, thank you I made a tought on that

@gilby101 thanks, I heard somewhere that Mac is like Linux, they both have Unix (im not into that) but I know unix is safer than wins.

@Fishrrman okay but I do no fully understand. I know virus is a program which uses it self or another program like word to rename your files and that but I know elementry basics from 4th grade. about malvare, troyans and viruses I dont know the difference.

@Weaselboy ok tnx I tought so but wanted to be sure. Will pop ups happen when I visit a site for media as it is only on windows. On every click it opens a page (mozzila, opera dont stop new windows poping up and add ons also dont help). I dont go with a Mac on that sites so I wont know if someone does not tell me.

@Gregg2

"I agree. Don't? TRUE (as yet in OSX/macOS) Can't? Impossible to prove a negative."

I will say what my Bixby says to me I didn`t quite catch that".



Thank you people for answering me. Every post helps me but I managed to learn most of Mac things and I am so satisfied with this device. Transition from windows to macos was like done in 10 days. some things are greener on pc but wouldnt get back there after Macbook.

 

[revmacian]

@gilby101 thanks, I heard somewhere that Mac is like Linux, they both have Unix (im not into that) but I know unix is safer than wins.

Just to clarify; macOS is based on NextStep, made by the company (NeXT) that Steve Jobs founded after leaving Apple. When Apple acquired NeXT, which brought Steve Jobs back to Apple, NextStep became the basis for OS X. NextStep was based on BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution), which is a distribution of Unix. Linux is a bit different.

As far as safety goes, the user is always the weakest link.. even the most secure computer is unsafe if safe computing practices aren’t adhered to.

 

[9873697]

okay thanks, I watched a movie about Steve Jobs and I know for NeXT and why Lisa was the name of Apple computer... I know historical facts about Apple..

Can you just tell me why is operating system named OS X? It is OS X Catalina. Catalina is not standalone version like it was Windows 7 and Windows 10. Mountain Lion and Catalina are both OS X but not like OS 10 and OS 17.
Why is like that? Where was OS 1, OS 2, OS 3, OS 4... when will be OS 11?
I had windows 7 and upgraded to 10 and here every version is 10 point some smaller number. It is a very weird thing about naming.
Also I didnt catch that and I see people here are Mac professionals. I mean thank you for the help and time for answering me!

 

[revmacian]

okay thanks, I watched a movie about Steve Jobs and I know for NeXT and why Lisa was the name of Apple computer... I know historical facts about Apple..

Can you just tell me why is operating system named OS X? It is OS X Catalina. Catalina is not standalone version like it was Windows 7 and Windows 10. Mountain Lion and Catalina are both OS X but not like OS 10 and OS 17.
Why is like that? Where was OS 1, OS 2, OS 3, OS 4... when will be OS 11?
I had windows 7 and upgraded to 10 and here every version is 10 point some smaller number. It is a very weird thing about naming.
Also I didnt catch that and I see people here are Mac professionals. I mean thank you for the help and time for answering me!

Classic MAC OS ran from 1985 to 1999. The first of these was System 1, then System 2 and on to System 9. OS X ran from 2000 to 2016 when the name was changed to macOS to follow the same naming structure of iOS, tvOS and watchOS. I believe the change from System 9 to OS X happened when Apple used NextStep as the basis for OS X.

I’m not sure about the numbering scheme, but perhaps Apple decided to slow down on the numbers so we weren’t already at OS XXV.

 

[9873697]

Thanks. I have read, every year in December there is a new release of MacOS... wow that so great