One reason is that Apple computers are designed with robust security measures and few exploitable flaws. Does Mac need antivirus?įor decades, Macs have had a stellar security reputation. If your Mac cannot run El Capitan, consider ProtectWorks AntiVirus, which is supported in version 10.6 and later on (Snow Leopard). This free antivirus program is compatible with most macOS devices Avast supports 10.11 back macOS versions (El Capitan).

On macOS, Avast Premium Security adds ransomware protection and real-time notification when new devices connect to your network. Besides protecting your Mac from ransomware, it preserves your privacy online and keeps your devices secure and functioning like new. Malware authors have frequently found and exploited weaknesses, such as using obscure file formats or large file sizes that the sandbox can’t process, leaving Mac users at risk of infection.Avast Mac Security is an extraordinarily safe and effective antivirus program as it will protect your desktop from all forms of online threats such as ransomware, viruses, and other malware. While sandboxing adds another layer of security for Macs, not even the App Store nor sandboxed apps are 100% safe, as highlighted by the attack on the Chinese version of the App Store by the XCodeGhost Virus.

XProtect defends Macs against various types of malware, by scanning downloaded files for signs of infection, but it needs to be regularly updated to recognize new or emerging threats - and it won’t help you if you unwittingly land on an infected or unsafe website.Ī digital certificate is always seen as proof of a file’s security and a surefire sign that the file contains no malicious code, but cybercriminals can still plant malicious code at the file completion stage, exploit security gaps to sign their malicious files with valid digital certificates, and more. The macOS, or Mac OS X system, has existed for 40 years in various forms - it’s robust, and because of its regular updates, malware developers find it hard to keep up with the changes and write viruses that will successfully infect the Mac operating system.Īpple's basic malware detection is built directly into its Mac OS X operating system.

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