Virus/Malware program recommendations? [MERGED]

[Tanax]

So, I mostly believe Mac's don't need AV. However, I will soon start a new extra job that would require me to download free indie games for reviewing. I definitely want to scan those files before I install them as they're not verified nor trusted developers.

What would be the best Mac AV for me? I basically don't need any real time monitoring, firewall, VPN, performance enhancing bloat - I just want to be able to scan certain files, or folders, for threats on a need-to-need basis?

 

[krakenrelease]

I use Avira free version and I like it.

 

[MarineBand5524]

Other - I use Trend Micro Antivirus One for 19.99 a year as well as their Cleaner One Pro they have a bundle for 29.99 a year. Their Cleaner One does an amazing job of deep uninstalling programs.

 

[DiamondMac]

Big bitdefender user. I can use my sub for my windows and apple machines and have never had issues with it while it has cause some crap that I didn’t know was malware

 

[bogdanw]

Objective-See's Blog - The Mac Malware of 2025
https://objective-see.org/blog/blog_0x84.html
"Looking back at 2025, one thing is clear: macOS malware continues to mature, diversify, and evolve. Stealers remain the dominant threat class, but they are no longer simplistic smash-and-grab tools.
...
A recurring theme throughout the year was stealth. We repeatedly saw payloads executed directly in memory, dynamic loading of malicious code, and increasing abuse of dylibs as a delivery and persistence mechanism.
...
Taken together, the malware observed in 2025 reinforces a familiar reality: macOS is no longer a niche target. As adoption continues to rise, so too does attacker interest, sophistication, and scale."

 

[sparkie7]

Taken together, the malware observed in 2025 reinforces a familiar reality: macOS is no longer a niche target. As adoption continues to rise, so too does attacker interest, sophistication, and scale."

So what is the best / leading application or software to protect Macs & macOS?

And what about iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, do these need protection as well, and what are the best options for these?

 

[johannnn]

So what is the best / leading application or software to protect Macs & macOS?

I highly recommend the tools by the same guy that wrote the blog post you quoted (https://objective-see.org/tools.html)

I use BlockBlock and RansomWhere. They provide distinct layers of protection and monitor different types of behavior on your system.

BlockBlock focuses on the installation phase of malware. Most malware seeks "persistence" to ensure it automatically restarts after a reboot.

RansomWhere focuses on the action phase, specifically targeting ransomware. It continually monitors the file system for suspicious processes that are creating encrypted files

 

[Mike Boreham]

I highly recommend the tools by the same guy that wrote the blog post you quoted (https://objective-see.org/tools.html)

I use BlockBlock and RansomWhere. They provide distinct layers of protection and monitor different types of behavior on your system.

BlockBlock focuses on the installation phase of malware. Most malware seeks "persistence" to ensure it automatically restarts after a reboot.

RansomWhere focuses on the action phase, specifically targeting ransomware. It continually monitors the file system for suspicious processes that are creating encrypted files

Another vote for Objective-see. I use Lulu, KnockKnock and Blockblock. I also have Malwarebytes free and do a manual scan every day or two.

 

[sparkie7]

I highly recommend the tools by the same guy that wrote the blog post you quoted (https://objective-see.org/tools.html)

I use BlockBlock and RansomWhere. They provide distinct layers of protection and monitor different types of behavior on your system.

BlockBlock focuses on the installation phase of malware. Most malware seeks "persistence" to ensure it automatically restarts after a reboot.

RansomWhere focuses on the action phase, specifically targeting ransomware. It continually monitors the file system for suspicious processes that are creating encrypted files

Thanks. Will check them out. Do they cost?

 

[sparkie7]

Another vote for Objective-see. I use Lulu, KnockKnock and Blockblock. I also have Malwarebytes free and do a manual scan every day or two.

Are these for Mac only, or some for iOS devices?

 

[bogdanw]

Are these for Mac only, or some for iOS devices?

Mac only, turn on Lockdown Mode on iOS
https://support.apple.com/105120
https://support.apple.com/guide/security/lockdown-mode-security-sec2437264f0/web

 

[johannnn]

Do they cost?

None of his apps cost money.

And just fyi, that developer is HIGHLY respected.

 

[hassiman]

Hello.
I was just wondering what's the best anti-virus/malware program for a Mac Studio running Sequoia? Or is it even necessary?
Thanks....

 

[gilby101]

Arguably not necessary. macOS has protection against known Apple malware (XProtect, Gatekeeper, etc.) and for you to promptly install the latest macOS version. But, I do run free version of Malwarebytes to regularly scan what it thinks are "essential" areas - it has never found anything in 10 years.

In some organisations it is necessary to meet the requirements of company policy to run as specific vendor's a-v product.

In my view the privacy worries due to web site tracking are a more serious challenge. So I do run a combined adblocker, anti tracker and malware web site blocker. I use AdGuard which I consider the best with regard to anti-tracking and malware web site blocking.

 

[losthismarbles]

There is no "best".

This depends on what you want and what you do.
Then it depends on whether you live alone (ie will you affect others), whether you use non-Mac machines at home, your work, your habbits, etc.

Since you also asked if it's necessary or not..
Generally speaking, the less you know, the more you need one; even on a Mac. There is no "safe" Mac, there's only safer. On the other end of this equation, you could get away without one 100%, like most do.

No "best". Just don't go to other extreme of dismissing it as a notion. Bit of end-user tricking is all it takes.
Apologies, but.. without knowing so, so much more about you as a user, that's the best i could offer 🙂

 

[conmee]

I have used MalwareBytes and BitDefender interchangeably for 15 years and the only time any scans found anything was in some PC executable or document on an external backup drive. Running the latest macOS and not clicking on or opening any suspect items is the best defense.

 

[southerndoc]

I currently use CrowdStrike. Got it on sale, but the renewal next year is going to sting. I need it for my business laptop, but for other computers I don't. I'm thinking about switching to MS Defender.

 

[Bubble99]

Do you run antivirus software on your computer?

I'm wondering if you are running an antivirus software on your computer and what type of antivirus software?

If you need an antivirus software what are good antivirus software? Is Norton or Mcafee any good?

 

[robbinia]

Another vote for Objective-see. I use Lulu, KnockKnock and Blockblock. I also have Malwarebytes free and do a manual scan every day or two.

I also use Lulu, KnockKnock and Blockblock, plus SilentKnight to check for Apple updates. I run KK weekly and it's probably not needed given BB runs all the time but I like to see what's installed anyway.

 

[KaliYoni]

There is a new type of attack that tricks victims into pasting commands into Terminal. Two important things to keep in mind:

1. Typing/pasting commands into Terminal allows attackers to bypass the protections built into macOS (XProtect, Gatekeeper).
2. The most recent attacks begin with a "Cloudflare" popup.

New Infinity Stealer malware grabs macOS data via ClickFix lures

A new info-stealing malware named Infinity Stealer is targeting macOS systems with a Python payload packaged as an executable using the open-source Nuitka compiler.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[bogdanw]

There is a new type of attack that tricks victims into pasting commands

ClickFix attacks are not new, Here is an example from last year https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/tinker-tool-malware-problem.2463235/
Recently, Apple introduced limited protection against them "macOS 26.4 Introduces New Security Feature for Terminal Commands"
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...curity-feature-for-terminal-commands.2479927/
Not quite woking #47 🙂

This is new "How SentinelOne’s AI EDR Autonomously Discovered and Stopped Anthropic’s Claude from Executing a Zero Day Supply Chain Attack, Globally"
https://www.sentinelone.com/blog/ho...ting-a-zero-day-supply-chain-attack-globally/