Do You Need Antivirus For Mac 2015

So you’re the proud owner of a Mac. Chances are you think its operating system, OS X, completely guards against viruses and other malware and that you don’t need Internet security software. But is this really the case?

Jul 17, 2015. Does My Mac Need Antivirus? Hello fellow Mac user. Starting with the very funny Mac vs. PC commercials in 2006, you may have heard that Macs are impervious to viruses. In the commercial that deals with viruses, the PC actor states that there were 114,000 known viruses for.

Read on to find out why it’s a good idea to bolster your Mac’s own protection with a comprehensive security solution. But I thought Macs were safe A Mac running OS X is indeed more secure than a PC running Windows, but that doesn’t mean Macs are completely immune to threats. The Mac’s sandboxed operating system makes it harder to crack, but it’s not unhackable and remains vulnerable to risky user behaviour. Although the vast majority of malware targets the prevalent Windows PC and Android devices, Windows is getting more secure – and the number of Mac users is on the rise. As Mac adoption increases – particularly in high-profile companies – and more valuable data is available on them, cybercriminals are likely to increasingly turn their attention to Macs. This means there’ll be more Mac-targeted malware about.

Attacks by, and have all exposed weaknesses in the Mac’s defences. WireLurker was found to be able to infect devices running both Apple’s iOS and Mac OS X, and could even attack non-jailbroken devices. But targeted malware isn’t the only hazard.

Macs are also vulnerable to flawed third-party software, phishing scams, spyware. Neither can the Mac OS X defend against bad user decisions. We’re all human, and therefore vulnerable to ‘social engineering’ ploys that aim to trick us into divulging personal information such as account logins and credit card details. It’s also worth mentioning that Macs are relatively pricey, so there’s a common misconception that their owners have more money than most PC users and are therefore a worthwhile target. The likelihood of an unprotected Mac becoming infected by malware is increasing, so adding extra defences in the form of Internet security software makes sense. What protection does Mac OS X offer? The Mac operating system is based on Unix, which stores executable code and data in separate folders and provides a number of that can help protect you.

These include Gatekeeper and XProtect (file quarantine). Gatekeeper blocks apps that have not been approved by Apple, while XProtect scans downloads for recognised malware. However, Gatekeeper and XProtect offer no protection against third-party software vulnerabilities that could be harbouring malware. How can my Mac become infected? Malware usually finds its way on to Macs via links and email attachments, compromised downloads, fake antivirus programs, infected USB keys or drive-by download. Most of it is installed inadvertently by us, the users.

The main threats are: 1. Mac-specific malware. There’s currently not a great deal of this about, but it’s on the increase. Non-platform-specific malware: man-in-the middle attacks, spyware and phishing scams. These widespread threats aim to steal your sensitive data.

Your Mac may also pick up Windows malware, which – although it won’t affect your Mac (unless you’re running Windows on it) – can be passed on to PC users. Not good netiquette. Third-party software vulnerabilities. Lack of awareness on the part of the user. A good antivirus solution can help save you from bad decisions. How can I protect my Mac?

Even though the Mac OS X is generally very secure, it’s worth taking the following steps as an extra precaution: • Install comprehensive Internet security software, and keep it up to date. You can ensure this by setting it to update automatically. Run regular scans.