New iMac Virus/Other Protection

[JD Shaw]

Getting a new 27' iMac Friday. Does Apple have built-in virus/other protection? If not, do I need to purchase it, or are there effective free versions?
Thank you.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

There are no Mac OS X viruses so don't waste money looking for Windows viruses which cannot execute on your iMac. There is malware and adware out there. Suggest downloading Malwarebytes for Mac but do not purchase. After the 28 day trial it will simply convert to the free version which is ample. Consider an Ad Block to control popups and Ghostery. Both can be found in Safari Preferences > Extensions.

 

[GGJstudios]

Macs are not immune to malware, but no true viruses exist in the wild that can run on macOS, and there never have been any since it was released over 17 years ago. The only malware in the wild that can affect your Mac is a handful of trojans, which can be easily avoided by being careful about what apps you install (no pirated software). 3rd party antivirus apps are not necessary to keep a Mac malware-free, as long as a user practices safe computing.

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

I use Avast for AV scanning. It offers a free version that seems good enough for me.

 

[Mac32]

ClamXav. It's free, and it's widely used. You can scan files, but it doesn't run in the background bogging down your system with unnecessary stuff.

 

[Fishrrman]

Download and run the free version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Mac:https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

That's really all you need.
IMPORTANT:
The "free" and "paid" versions of MalwareBytes ARE THE SAME SOFTWARE.
The free version will prompt you to "upgrade" to the paid version.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO THIS.
After 30 days, the "trial" version AUTOMATICALLY CONVERTS ITSELF into the "free" version, and keeps on working "for free".

 

[mpe]

My experience is that anti-virus software creates on Mac create more problems than it solves. I would never install any such software on my Mac.

Just follow a few basic principles:

- always keep your system updated
- have built-in features enabled (Gatekeeper, system integrity protection, secure boot in iMac Pro, ..)
- when installing software pay extra attention if the source is trustworthy, check signatures, checksums, etc.
- regularly backup your data

 

[willmtaylor]

+1 for safe surfing practices with a Safari blocker such as Ghostery or AdGuard coupled with MalwareBytes on your system.

In my experience, a real-time monitor with escalated privileges is a waste of system resources and a liability.

Most who are trying to convince you that you NEED sometime more are trying to sell you something.

 

[SkyLinx]

I don't agree with who basically says no protection is needed on Macs. Sure it's not like with Windows but there is malware for macOS too (viruses, ransomware, adware, trojans, rootkits...), albeit not as much of course. Personally I prefer to stay safe and use BitDefender with MalwareBytes. This kinda gives me peace of mind that a) my Mac "should" be fine, b) I don't spread Windows malware either. BitDefender also includes browser extensions that alert you if you are visiting a website with malicious content, and a feature that only permits certain applications (that you allow) to access files in Desktop/Documents and any other folder you wish, in order to protect from ransomware which otherwise would be able to encrypt your data etc.

 

[MacDawg]

I don't agree with those who say protection is needed on Macs.

What IS needed is common sense and overall safe computing habits.
Running Malwarebytes occasionally isn't going to hurt, but I've never had the need to even do that.
The few times I have run Malwarebytes it has been out of curiosity, not due to a problem.

 

[mpe]

The truth is that many AV solutions actually make your computer less secure and expose your computer to different sort of threats.

I would especially avoid those "browser extensions" or kernel extensions intercepting file system or network access.

AV software is generally terrible. So are AV software vendors to deal with. All they sell is "peace of mind" rather than any actual benefits.

Modern threats are actually different than those 10+ years ago and scanning executables for known signatures doesn't help.

There was a nice article about this on Ars Technica. It suggested people should avoid invasive antivirus software even on Windows.

 

[GGJstudios]

there is malware for macOS too (viruses, ransomware, adware, trojans, rootkits...), albeit not as much of course.

Just to be clear, some macOS malware exists, but there are no viruses in the wild that can infect macOS, and there never have been. The distinction is that you can avoid macOS malware solely by practicing safe computing. You can run anti-malware apps if you choose, but they're not required to keep a Mac malware-free.

 

[cynics]

MalwareBytes should be all you need. Even then Malware on a Mac is generally from something you did so safe browsing habits is the best practice. For me I installed a DivX player that had malware built in and caused me some trouble. MalwareBytes was able to find it and remove it. I then deleted the player entirely out of spite.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

The only 'viruses' for Mac OS X are in fact malware that AV developers are calling viruses. Why?

To sell by scare tactics their antivirus software to Mac users.