Are Macs Prone to Viruses and How to Protect Them Effectively With the Best Antivirus?

If you have an iMac, MacBook, Mac Pro, or Mac Mini, you might be wondering if you should install an antivirus program to keep it safe and protect yourself from the many threats you hear about in the media. But then again, you might have heard that malware only affects Windows systems. So who's telling the truth? As with most cybersecurity questions, the answer is not straightforward. But this article will help you understand the subject better.

Mac computers have long had a reputation for being immune to viruses and other types of malware. However, although they are still much more secure than Windows systems today, Apple Macs remain vulnerable to certain viruses. And more and more. Apple's built-in security system does a reasonable job of keeping malware at bay, but you should always consider stepping up your protection by installing antivirus software.

In this article, we explain why you should consider using an antivirus with a Mac device. We also show you which are the most effective cybersecurity suites in 2020.

Do you need an antivirus on Mac in 2020?

Let's be brief, the answer is, yes. Macs are not immune to malware, and attacks targeting Macs are becoming more prevalent. Following best practices for securing your device and using the built-in security features can help, but antivirus software can protect your device even better.

The first question to ask yourself is, "Is there malware on the macOS platform?" The answer is yes, of course. Although Macs seem secure, there is nothing stopping cybercriminals from targeting this operating system.

That said, the numbers suggest that Mac computers are less likely to be threatened by malware. But just because the risk is lower than with a Windows PC does not mean that there is no risk. Additionally, the risk is magnified if you are a business that operates multiple Mac computers.

Even if you are just using a Mac device as your personal computer, there are good reasons to consider improving your security by downloading the Mac antivirus.

Why protect your mac?

• Macs are becoming more and more popular. Part of the appeal of attacking Windows PCs was that the impact was huge, with Windows holding 80% of the market share. But Mac's growing popularity certainly makes it a juicier target for hackers than in the past.
• Mac users are attractive targets. Because Macs are much more expensive to buy than Windows PCs, it follows that Mac users will generally be richer. As such, they make attractive targets for cybercriminals, especially those looking to steal your personal data, including financial information.
• Windows is becoming more secure. Macs previously had a big lead over Windows PCs in terms of cybersecurity, which made the latter easier to attack. However, the latest versions of the Windows operating system are more secure than ever, which narrows the gap and makes them more difficult targets. It would be less surprising to see hackers directing their efforts towards Macs.
• Mac's operating system comes with built-in malware detection software, which we'll discuss in more detail below. This built-in detection feature is great, but with increasing threats it is more likely that new malware will arrive on your system before Apple updates its databases. These are known as zero-day threats which are reason enough to consider installing an antivirus.

Note, however, that even the best antivirus cannot protect you against all types of attacks. For example, if a hacker prompts you to modify administrator privileges to install malware, an antivirus will not be able to help you. Human error does not distinguish between operating systems and Mac users can be scammed just like PC users.

What are the built-in malware detection options on Mac?

The Mac operating system is based on Unix, which has its own security features. This is one of the reasons Mac has remained relatively secure. Mac also offers built-in security measures to combat malware, including:

Gatekeeper: If the software that has not been digitally trusted by Mac tries to run on your computer, GateKeeper will block it until you give it permission to continue.

XProtect: The XProtect feature detects known malware and automatically blocks their installation. The feature is constantly updated with the latest malware signatures. It monitors new infections (and strains) of malware and if so, XProtect is updated. These updates occur separately from the system updates. So you don't have to wait to be protected against new malware.

A Malware Removal Tool: If malware gets into your system, macOS technology can fix infections. Removal of known malware will occur with every system update.

Mac continues to fix security holes with every update that comes to your device. It is essential that you install the updates as soon as possible to keep your system secure. Macs provide automatic security updates, but you need to make sure that automatic mode is turned on.

To check it, just follow these steps:

• Click on the Apple icon located in the upper left corner of your screen, then on “System Preferences”; Open the App Store;
• Finally, make sure the checkboxes next to ALL update options are checked.

The case of a third-party antivirus

These security features all help protect your Mac from attacks, but no platform is immune. New macOS malware is discovered every year. Much of this malware slip through Apple's defenses or exploits a zero-day security vulnerability that Apple has not been able to fix.

In June 2019, OSX / CrescentCore was discovered. Posing as an Adobe Flash Player installer, this malware installed an application called Advanced Mac Cleaner, LaunchAgent, or Safari extension and then exploited unprotected machines. OSX / CrescentCore did even more damage because they had a developer certificate. Because of this, it infected thousands of devices for several days before Apple detected it.

A month earlier, malware known as OSX / Linker took advantage of a zero-day flaw in Gatekeeper. Since Apple did not fix the security breach when it was first reported earlier this year, OSX / Linker fell through the cracks.

Another weakness that you need to consider is the hardware characteristics of Mac devices. In early 2018, it was discovered that almost all CPUs sold over the past two decades were affected by serious security vulnerabilities. These faults have since been known as Specter and Meltdown. These flaws could allow hackers to access your data in parts of the system considered protected.

Apple eventually fixed macOS to guard against Specter and Meltdown. Exploits now require you to download and run malware in order for them to work.

How to reduce the risk of infection on Mac?

The best thing you can do to protect your Mac from security breaches is to keep it up to date. Apple responds to security vulnerabilities with small security fixes and larger operating system updates. Go to System Preferences> Software Update to check for the latest updates for your device. It's best to configure your Mac to automatically install updates.

If you install software from unknown sources, it can also lead to infection. To avoid this, only use apps from the Mac App Store or signed with a legitimate developer certificate.

As noted above, even if you do, your system is not immune, but these precautions give you the first layer of protection. If you need to install an unsigned app, make sure you download it from a trusted source. Some Mac application installers include unwanted software, just as it can happen in Windows.

Exploits `and unprotected public networks

Adobe Flash is another source of malware and browser-based exploits. If you don't use it regularly, delete it from your system. Most websites have already stopped using Flash, and it should end for good in 2020. If you need to use it, install Google Chrome, and enable the sandbox version of Flash.

Unsecured public WiFi networks also pose risks to the security and privacy of your Mac. Man-in-the-middle attacks occur on public access points and can allow a hacker to spy on your traffic. If you must use an unsecured public network, do so through a VPN.

And finally, for extra protection, you can install antivirus or anti-malware software to monitor your system.

If you use Google Chrome, also check out the best extensions to keep you safe online.