Does macos has a built-in antivirus like windows?

[bogdanw]

I found out the other day, OffceLibre, a well-known freeWare is only free if you download it directly from the developer's website, but Apple complains, "u didn't download it from our appstore" $8.95, so we can't run it for you for security reason... yeah right. Tim Cook, the master of nickel and dime.

You are probably referring to LibreOffice and the App Store price is explained here:
“These versions are free software (as in open source) but there's a small charge to cover the effort of putting software in the app stores, and to help develop the software (and build our communities).”
https://www.libreoffice.org/download/libreoffice-from-microsoft-and-mac-app-stores/

 

[chown33]

I found out the other day, OffceLibre, a well-known freeWare is only free if you download it directly from the developer's website, but Apple complains, "u didn't download it from our appstore" $8.95, so we can't run it for you for security reason... yeah right. Tim Cook, the master of nickel and dime.

You can sign unsigned apps yourself, and they should then be acceptable.

A couple of threads on how to do it:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/unsigned-self-signed-app-permissions.2417038/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/finder-does-not-have-permission-to-open-null.2441374/?post=33535657#post-33535657

I found those using MacRumors site search parameters:
search terms: unsigned
search scope: Threads
Search titles only: checked

I tried the search term "signed" first, and it gave a lot more irrelevant results, typically threads about not being signed into various web services.

In the search results for "unsigned", the word "permissions" appears multiple times, so that might be another fruitful search term.

 

[Mrbobb]

Thanks for the tip guy.

I found and made use of a Sequioa global setting under privacy/security, DO ANY, or something like that, feels like a hatchet job but it saves me the bother of dealing one-app-at-a-time. I wouldn't mind if it reminds me during the first activation of the app, "blah-blah, not certified, run anyway?" Will see how that works out.

I remember Mac used to be the king of intuitiveness, but little by little macos follows ios, throws you more and more settings, which one must find, and changes place from os to os version to boost

 

[chown33]

Some web searches found this.

MacOS Sequoia -- "Allow Apps from Anywher… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

About halfway down the page:

"Users who want to open unsigned software will now need to go the long way around to do it: first, try to launch the app and dismiss the dialog box telling you that it can't be opened. Then, open Settings, go to the Privacy & Security screen, scroll all the way to the bottom to get to the Security section, and click the Open Anyway button that appears for the last unsigned app you tried to run."

My search terms: macos sequoia security settings
Other searches: macos sequoia security settings anywhere

 

[bogdanw]

AppleScript that checks the quarantine attribute and signature of an app, can remove the quarantine attribute and self-sign the app.
https://github.com/b0gdanw/AppleScr...-attribute_Sign-with-an ad-hoc-signature.scpt
Discussion and video here https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...h-unsigned-applications.2441792/post-33541826

 

[iBookmaster]

I ran a small print shop in Virginia for 27 years with many Macs over the years and never had a virus. I talked to other printers and graphic artists that I would deal with and non of them ever had a virus. I've been using Macs since 1987 and helped people with their Macs and while some people had their Macs in a mess, non of them had a virus. I think that speaks pretty highly of Apple's virus/malware protection.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I found out the other day, OffceLibre, a well-known freeWare is only free if you download it directly from the developer's website, but Apple complains, "u didn't download it from our appstore" $8.95, so we can't run it for you for security reason... yeah right. Tim Cook, the master of nickel and dime.

That’s officelibre problem. It could be free on App Store too. There are many freeware’s available for free on App Store. I have hardened mac, so don’t really need to put antivirus junk like in windows. Stay safe than sorry especially chasing freeware’s and pirated videos and aoftware if you use your computer with sensitive personal or professional info.

 

[iHorseHead]

isn't a malware/ransomware etc a kind of a virus? O_ o

do any keylogger/trojan ever been discovered on macos in the wild?

Yes, they do get discovered

KeRanger - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Flashback (Trojan) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://digital.nhs.uk/cyber-alerts/2017/cc-1123 (FruitFly)
https://macos.checkpoint.com/families/WindTail/ (WindTail / WindShift )
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/detections/osx-dok (OSX.Dok)
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/08/17/new-xcode-malware-found/ (XCSSET)
https://duo.com/decipher/cloudmensis-macos-malware-collects-sensitive-data (CloudMensis)
https://nordvpn.com/cybersecurity/threat-center/kandykorn/ (KandyKorn)
And the list goes on…
I'll get a lot of downvotes and laughing faces, but there are viruses and malware etc on a Mac and Apple is pretty slow when it comes to the security.
Took them awhile to even fix this:

Major macOS High Sierra Bug Allows Full Admin Access Without Password - How to Fix [Updated]

There appears to be a serious bug in macOS High Sierra that enables the root superuser on a Mac with a blank password and no security check. The...

www.macrumors.com

https://www.scworld.com/news/new-bug-lets-attackers-bypass-macos-system-integrity-protection -> Beep boop 🤖
There have been Gatekeeper bypass bugs as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Sparrow_(malware) -> Silver Sparrow for M1 Macs -> https://redcanary.com/threat-detection-report/threats/silver-sparrow/ Took Apple awhile to fix this in their "XProtect".

Microsoft Windows gets way more security updates and the response is way faster from Microsoft, because most companies in the world rely on Microsoft Windows.
Microsoft is also more open about their security and practices and lets not forget that many Macs are vulnerable, because they don't support the latest version of macOS.

Don't listen to the people that say they've never had a virus. Windows users say the same thing. The only secure OS is TempleOS, because it has no network access.

Edit:
I FORGOT MY FAVOURITE ONE - Oompa-Loompa

Always take your security seriously no matter what you're using.

 

[Parowdy]

what event(s) do you have in mind?

2024 CrowdStrike-related IT outages

 

[iHorseHead]

2024 CrowdStrike-related IT outages

But it didn’t affect Europe at all. My company and all of our customers were fine + Mac is not widely used.