Antivirus software can help protect a computer against malware, such as viruses, spyware, and other harmful programs. The software works in the background and checks whether there is malware on your laptop or PC. That sounds great, but do you need an (extra) antivirus on your Mac or MacBook?
Apple products are generally seen as safe and reliable, although malware does occasionally slip through Apple’s built-in antivirus. However, that doesn’t mean you should download an antivirus program right away. Apple’s measures that are built into your Mac or MacBook as standard will protect you against the biggest malware threats.
On your Mac(Book), XProtect ensures that every app is inspected for malware, and Gatekeeper blocks the execution of software that is not approved by Apple, unless you give explicit permission. In addition, it is good to know that Apple generally closes vulnerabilities quickly via automatic updates.
If new malware is discovered on macOS, you will soon read about it in the (tech) media. It is therefore wise to regularly monitor the news about Apple products, so that you are aware of any vulnerabilities and can protect yourself against them.
In many cases it is not necessary to install additional antivirus on your Mac, but there are exceptions. Do you share your Mac(Book) with multiple people? Do you want to be on the safe side? Or are you looking for extra protection for your files because of your profession? You can then consider adding an extra layer of security by installing an antivirus on your Mac.
Recommendations for antivirus on Mac
Mac users who are looking for good antivirus software to supplement Apple’s own measures can turn to about fifteen providers. In our guide to the best virus scanners for Mac you can read all about these tools and we will tell you which software is best to use. We’ve listed the best software for detecting malware on macOS below (in alphabetical order):
- AVG Antivirus
- Avira Security
- Bitdefender
- CleanMyMac
- Malwarebytes
- Norton 360
- Trend Micro Antivirus
This is how you protect your Mac(Book) without an antivirus
Would you rather not install additional antivirus software on your Mac? The following tips can help you better protect yourself against malware.
Tip 1: Use the Mac App Store
MacOS includes standard antivirus features that ensure that you cannot simply install apps from unknown developers unless you have set this otherwise. As long as you only download software from the Mac App Store, you are relatively safe. You can be almost certain that the software has not been tampered with, as Apple has previously checked the software for the presence of malware. Of course, there is no complete certainty: something can always slip through, although that rarely happens.
Tip 2: Download software from the developer
Another way to protect yourself is to only download software from (a reliable) developer’s own website. Some software simply cannot be downloaded from the Mac App Store. At that time, the developer’s own website is the appropriate place. Don’t be tempted by the sometimes countless download portals on the internet. After all, you do not know exactly what you are downloading from third-party websites.
Before downloading software outside of the Mac App Store, it’s a good idea to check how trustworthy the program’s developer is. If you didn’t know the name of the software or the developer, it’s important to research its reliability first. For example, read reviews and check whether the software is regularly provided with (security) updates. This way you know that any vulnerabilities will (probably) be closed quickly.
How do you know if you are infected?
It is not always clear whether your Mac (Book) is infected with malware. It is even possible that you only discover after a longer period of time that you have been affected by malware. For example, because an unauthorized amount is suddenly debited from your credit card or because you suddenly no longer have access to certain files on your laptop or desktop.
However, in some cases it is very clear that your Mac(Book) is infected with malware. For example, because you receive one pop-up after another containing advertisements or because unknown extensions or toolbars appear in your browser. It is therefore advisable to always investigate the origin of sudden additions that you are not familiar with. Also, if your Mac’s performance inexplicably decreases or certain apps no longer work properly, this could indicate the presence of malware.
Either way, never fall for dubious ads for tools that promise to speed up your Mac (like MacKeeper). It is better to seek help from someone who knows computers and software, or install a reputable virus scanner to scan your Mac or MacBook for the possible presence of malware.
