Among users operating system Mac OS, there are many opinions on the question of whether the owners of this “OS” should use antivirus software or not. In this article, we will try to deal with this issue and find free and shareware antivirus options for those who are not ready to risk the smooth operation of their gadget.

Manufacturers of "apple" technology assure users that they have nothing to fear. This confirms the fact that the Windows system is the most widespread among users, which is subjected to millions of attacks every year. It would seem that it is illogical for hackers to mess with the poppy because users of this OS are now in the minority.

And until 2010, users of this "OS" really had nothing to worry about. But over the years, the situation has changed: hacker attacks on "apple" gadgets have ceased to be news.

Here are some frightening statistics: in 2011, about 30 thousand people suffered from viruses, and in 2012 - 500 - 700 thousand. In 2015, more than 180 malware, and in 2016 there were more than 9,000 of them. Then, both Apple manufacturers and users themselves thought about protection against unauthorized attacks.

Download antivirus for mac os for free is not difficult. If the user wants to save money, he should pay attention to the following solutions:

  • Kaspersky Security;
  • Norton antivirus;
  • Doctor Web;
  • Avast;
  • Eset node 32;

Free antivirus for mac os x from Kaspersky allows the user not to worry about the penetration of viruses into the system. This program can be downloaded from the official website of the manufacturer for a month or six months.

Norton suggests free use user within 180 days, during which its functionality will not be limited.

Dr. Web provides users with the ability to download utilities with up-to-date virus database updates and scan their device. I am especially pleased that these utilities can work even with banners blocking the screen. You can also download the full version of the antivirus with its subsequent purchase.

Avast (Avast) is a full-fledged antivirus software, with the ability to install it for a year for free. It allows you to select several levels of system check - from superficial to deep.

Eset nod 32 (Eset nod 32)- another good solution for the modern user. You can use it for a month, after which the manufacturer offers to buy it full version.

Owners of "apple" gadgets should also use:

  • brandmauer;
  • account ordinary user;
  • gadget administrator passwords.

Do you need an antivirus for mac os - it's up to you.

Apple gadgets definitely have higher reliability and protection against malware.

But you need to consider the possibility of viruses infecting your device. You can always protect yourself from this - there are many options for solving this problem.

In this article, you will learn about whether an antivirus is needed on Mac OS.

Apple has often said that Macs don't get viruses. This is true, but not because macOS is inherently better than Windows. Although the operating system does have built-in virus protection, this does not mean that it will protect your Mac from all types of virus codes. Therefore, a reliable malware scanning software or antivirus software is a good addition to any secure system, including a macOS system.

Does the MacBook need to install antivirus software?

Macs aren't immune to viruses, but they aren't aimed at intruders either. The platform simply doesn't have a large enough user base to allow attackers to tailor specific attack packages for the operating system's unique features.

The Unix-based macOS operating system is fundamentally different from Windows in several ways, which means that any attacker hoping to infect Macs will have to create their own code specifically for the operating system.

In addition, macOS runs in an isolated environment, making it difficult for erroneous programs to take control of your system.

With less market share and an incompatible software environment, Macs do not require antivirus software, which is vital for PCs running Windows environments.

Important! Any computer running in a Windows environment needs a well-designed and up-to-date antivirus software,

The above does not apply to devices running macOS. . But then again, if the Mac were more popular, then more likely such devices would need reliable antivirus software.

Are there viruses on Mac devices?

If you are a Mac user, this does not mean that hacker attacks will not affect your device and personal data.

Back in 2014, a hacker was able to create a botnet of around 20,000 bits with iWorm malware.

In 2012, the Flashback vulnerability in Java affected over 500,000 Macs, prompting Apple to publish a security update for OS X Lion to fix the vulnerability.

More recently, encryption malware known as KeRanger has been circulating inside the popular BitTorrent client for macOS. And according to Malwarebytes, Mac malware in 2017 increased by 230% during 2016.

Macs can certainly get viruses, and Mac-specific viruses and malware do exist. They are much less common than on Windows devices.

Are Macs vulnerable to hackers and other attacks?

While Macs do not require antivirus software, they are still vulnerable to other attack vectors. Other attack vectors include: email-based phishing attacks or browser-based cross-site scripting or attacks "man-in-the-middle". And potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) such as Mac Defender, are voluntarily installed by the user, but include malicious features and cannot be easily removed. Mac users are not protected from Internet threats and should still be wary of viruses on their devices.

What antivirus software to install on a Mac?

For safe users, there are several solid options for macOS antivirus software. This is not necessary, but it is still better to carry out periodic prophylaxis than to bite your elbows later.

  • : this antivirus software stands at the top of the antivirus rating, blocking 100% of threats in these tests. This antivirus software consumes very little resources, so you won't notice any performance degradation on your Mac during a scan or real-time protection.
  • : Windows or Linux users may be familiar with this open and multi-platform virus and malware detection suite. It's a durable, well-respected piece of software, and it has a great Mac version.
  • : This free consumer version of Sophos enterprise security software runs on Windows and macOS. In addition to detecting viruses and malware, it also protects against network attacks in real time.
  • A: Another popular malware detection tool for Windows, Malwarebytes also offers a Mac version. In addition, there is an emphasis on ongoing protection, and not on scheduled checks.
  • A: Free Avast software detects viruses and malware. It also actively protects against online threats such as unsafe websites and email attachments. Unfortunately, it is also notorious for consuming a lot of system resources while real-time protection mode is active.

Do you think your Mac needs antivirus software? Report it in the comments below!

The main evaluation criteria, which included 200 indicators, were:

    virus protection;

    the convenience of use;

    impact on computer speed.

Virus protection is the most important scoring criterion: scores within this parameter group account for 65% of the overall antivirus score. Ease of use and impact on computer speed accounted for 25% and 10% of the overall score, respectively.

How We Tested

Testing was carried out for six months. A total of four groups of virus protection tests were carried out - a general online protection test, an offline test, a false positive test, and a scan test. To a lesser extent, the final rating was influenced by checking the usability of the antivirus and its impact on the speed of the computer.

General protection

Each anti-virus package was tested online for a set of viruses, totaling more than 40,000. It was also checked how well the anti-virus copes with phishing - the substitution of official resources for malicious sites in order to gain access to the user's confidential data. Ransomware has been tested to protect against ransomware that restricts access to a computer and data on it in order to obtain a ransom. In addition, an online test of a USB drive with malware is carried out. It is needed to find out how well the antivirus copes with the search and elimination of viruses when it is not known in advance about the presence malicious files, nor their origin.

USB offline test

Detection of malware residing on a USB drive connected to a computer. Before the scan, the computer was disconnected from the Internet for several weeks so that the anti-virus packages were not 100% up to date.

False alarm

We tested how effectively the antivirus identifies real threats and skips files that are actually safe, but are in the database as carrying a potential threat.

Scan test

It was tested how well the scan function works when it automatically checks the computer for malware and when it is started manually. Also during the study, it was checked whether it is possible to schedule scans for a certain time when the computer is not in use.

Antivirus for macOS is already a must

Unlike computers running on operating Windows systems, until recently, there was practically no demand for antivirus protection for Mac. Apple's operating system is not as widespread, so it seems less attractive to attackers.

Now there are about 12% of users of computers running macOS, and experts note that the growth of threats to them has already been outlined and will only increase in the future. So, in 2016, the first ransomware virus was registered, which was able to successfully infect Apple computers.

Apple's security is provided by several built-in tools.

    Gatekeeper - Prevents you from installing anything other than Apple-approved software.

    FileVault - Protects files by encrypting the Mac so that only authorized users can use it.

    Sandbox - does not allow the virus to penetrate the system components, in case of infection of individual applications or files.

The main function of all antiviruses for computers running macOS is to protect against the penetration of malware from external drives: flash drives, phones, hard drives etc. Apple computers are the least protected from these threats.

Unlike Windows Defenders, free antiviruses for Mac aren't always good enough to provide enough protection against threats. So far, paid packages remain the best solution in this segment.

Our rating includes 10 antiviruses designed for Mac. Built-in antivirus protection, which comes by default, was at the bottom of the overall ranking of antivirus and security software for Mac. She scored 1.5 points, so we didn’t even include her in the comparison table - you definitely shouldn’t rely on her alone.


The basic antivirus for macOS showed unsatisfactory results in two main groups of parameters, which add up to 90% of the final score. Actually, the built-in antivirus actually failed to protect against malware - it received 1.09 points out of 5 possible. Ease of use was marginally better at 1.77, but still very low.

deserves a special comment free antivirus Avira Free Antivirus for Mac. In the summary table of the rating, not a single item is marked in the features of this antivirus, however, this package does not occupy the last line of the rating. The fact is that, according to the test results and the declared capabilities, this product is designed to check the system and individual files for malware and prevents the penetration of viruses from external media. Avira Free does this automatically and does a good job, but if the user needs something more, it might be worth looking at other products.

When Macs weren't considered popular computers, antiviruses for them weren't talked about by the masses. But today in my private messages in in social networks there are questions about this. Decided, I speak Subjective opinion.

I am writing this text on a 2015 MacBook Pro, and before that I used an old MacBook Pro without a Retina screen. There are no antiviruses on the hard drive of this computer. But the last visited. I gave up this software about two years ago.

Protect your computer with macOS

Today, Apple offers two ways to install apps on macOS: Mac usage App Store and downloading the distribution kit of the game or program from the Internet pages. On iOS from birth, the situation is different - the company left one App Store.

Painstaking moderators work on Apple software distribution sites, who do not allow malicious code to pass through automatic and manual testing. And therefore there are no and will not be viruses on iOS.

If you're downloading software on your Mac from the App Store, don't worry. Do not pick up malicious software here. But the app store does not have a number of useful programs, so you can’t get by with this platform alone.

To avoid viruses, do not download programs from sources you are not sure about. I explain that all applications that are not downloaded from the site of a popular developer are in doubt. be careful.

When you confirm your intention to run a program from a third-party source, you accept the risk of infecting your computer with a virus. But this applies to a greater extent to fans of pirated assemblies - be on a special alert with them.

Try These Popular Antiviruses

Mac users with a decade of experience claim that there are no and never have been viruses for macOS. But this opinion is wrong. And today we regularly write about them on the pages site. If there is no desire to fool them, install an antivirus.

BitDefender (up to €35 per year) - macOS antivirus fans recommend this solution today. It works in the background and does not disturb the user - it detects malicious software and removes it.

Intego Mac Internet Security (up to €80 per year) - antivirus software package includes a shield against malware and phishing. Advantage - special a set to protect macOS and Windows through Boot Camp in pairs.

Kaspersky (up to €40 per year) is the most popular antivirus for macOS and Windows in the post-Soviet space. Use it to add Mac virus protection. But the main thing is to prohibit the covert activation of the surveillance camera.

Malwarebytes (up to €98 per year) - one, two, three and so on Western journalists claim that Apple employees use this antivirus. They install a Mac cleaning program when contacting the office. Services.

Determine whether a Mac is infected with viruses

Never got a Mac to slow down under normal use. If I load software - yes. Otherwise - no. If you encounter something like this, you have caught a virus. Pay attention to the programs above or run to the specialist.

Some viruses are created not for harm, but for profit. These place ads in places on macOS that are not intended for this - suspicious windows on top of everything, intrusive offers on YouTube and websites.

Your friends on social networks, instant messengers and e-mail. If they ask about strange messages that come from your mailbox, a “worm” has wound up in the “apple”.

Applications targeted by malicious code take longer to open. Often they are tied to browsers - tools for networking, shopping, and so on. Noticed something wrong sound the alarm.

But there are viruses that are smarter than users. They sit in the bowels of the OS and do the dirty work of collecting information and so on. Without special tools do not understand that the computer is infected, and continue to lose data.

Enjoy life on macOS without antivirus

As the popularity of the Mac grows, so does the number of malicious software. But today it does not compare with the amount of such software on Windows, which is still out of reach for macOS.

And yes, Mac viruses have been created. But picking up at least one in everyday life is not an easy task. They live on resources that ordinary users do not visit, and advanced ones bypass.

Over the past two years, thousands of programs have been on a personal MacBook that have been used to solve highly specialized tasks, create scripts for getting out of an OS problem, and reviews.

They were placed from anywhere - official sites, dubious forums and torrent trackers. Problems did not appear even without antiviruses. The only thing - I make a backup copy once a month just in case. Everything.

I advise you not to fool with antiviruses, but turn it on during the installation of programs and games. If the source is Mac App Store - no problem. If another - think about reliability. And may there never be "worms" in your apples.

Many MacBook owners are accustomed to not paying attention to the possible infection of their computer with viruses, although the likelihood of this is quite high. Only a small percentage of Macintosh users really care about whether an antivirus is needed on a Mac, due to the belief that hackers rarely pay attention to this operating system, looking towards the much more popular Windows. After all, a relatively small percentage of people use a MacBook for work and entertainment.

But this does not mean at all that the hacker threat has bypassed Mac OS. From time to time, some problems arise with it, so you cannot do without an up-to-date and effective antivirus. Not every antivirus for Mac will be able to reliably and comprehensively protect against infection. It is necessary to approach the choice of a defender based on the purpose for which the computer is used. You need to track the rating of antiviruses regularly.

BitDefender Antivirus

This antivirus is considered one of the most powerful, as it is able to easily detect and stop all common attacks. This program uses proven protection algorithms recognized by renowned companies Checkmark, ICSA Labs, TUV, Virus Bulletin and Checkvir.

BitDefender is also used to detect and monitor spyware activity. It allows:


The most important feature of BitDefender Antivirus is the ability to protect the owner's computer from phishing. It is as follows:

  • Control of visited sites.
  • Significantly reduced risk of hitting confidential information from the owner's computer into the hands of fraudsters (passwords, details, bank card details, etc.).

This antivirus for Mac works according to the "set it and forget it" scheme, beloved by many users. And the opportunity automatic update when accessing the Internet, they rightly allow us to consider this program one of the best for protecting Mac OS.

Avast

The action of this anti-virus program is primarily aimed at finding and neutralizing viruses that have already leaked into the computer. The search is carried out not only on the hard drive of the machine, but also in its memory, boot sectors and letters received by e-mail. This blocks suspicious scripts. The virus database is regularly updated and can be downloaded from the Internet.

Avast is intuitive because it has simple interface with support for various skins. The program is available as a free Mac antivirus (Home Edition for private use) and in a professional modification designed to protect computers of companies and enterprises (Professional Edition).

Kaspersky Internet Security

Kaspersky Anti-Virus is considered a comprehensive solution to the problem of viruses in the Mac operating system. It is able to protect your computer from all potential threats and guarantees the safety of every operation performed on the Internet.

When creating this program, the latest technologies were used that have proven their reliability and effectiveness in protecting against trojans, viruses, bots, etc. Even little-known virus programs that are recognized by their specific behavior in the operating system cannot hide from modern heuristic technologies.

Antivirus for Mac OS Kaspersky internet security has the following features:

  • The constant availability of up-to-date malware databases, regularly updated through cloud service Kaspersky Security Network.
  • Advanced anti-phishing technologies.
  • The presence of a link module that provides the owner with data on the reputation of each site. Information is displayed on a special indicator located near the link in search engines popular browsers.
  • A virtual keyboard that allows entering confidential data, which is especially important when conducting financial transactions via the Internet.
  • The presence of a parental control module, with which you can set time limits for accessing the Internet, create a list of sites that are undesirable for visiting, track and limit correspondence on social networks, and control file downloads.
  • High performance with extremely low CPU load, not exceeding 1% of its resources.

Dr.Web CureIt

This is perhaps best antivirus for Mac, which allows you to quickly check and effectively treat your computer without installing Dr.Web. The program is updated twice an hour to the latest version of the virus database.

It can be used to detect and remove:

  • mail and network worms;
  • file viruses and Trojans;
  • polymorphic, incorporeal virus programs;
  • stealth and macro viruses;
  • viruses that infect MS Office documents;
  • various spyware;
  • dialer programs and programs that steal passwords;
  • spyware, adware and third-party software potentially dangerous for the computer and data stored on it;
  • hacker tools;
  • joke programs and hatch programs;
  • malicious scripts and other codes that pose a threat.

VirusTotalUploader

This free antivirus for Mac is primarily designed to find and check suspicious files for viruses and other malicious codes. Using this program, the user can send a file that seems suspicious to him from his MacBook to a server where it will be checked by fifty different antivirus products. There is only a limitation in the file size - no more than 50 MB.

After scanning, the antivirus will provide the user with information about the number of detected viruses and will show a link to the VirusTotal service website for a detailed review of the results of the scan.

Norton AntiVirus

This popular antivirus program has five levels of protection, through which you can quickly and efficiently detect and neutralize spyware. The main purpose of Norton AntiVirus is to provide the MacBook owner with a safe work and data exchange on the Internet.

The main distinguishing features of the program include:


Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011

The rating of antiviruses cannot be called complete without the presence in it of another brainchild of the Kaspersky Lab, which can protect data as much as possible. Anti-Virus constantly scans files and files downloaded from global network email attachments, which ensures that malware is neutralized before it can reach your MacBook.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus also performs a deep system scan to find and remove malicious files.

The program provides:

  • protection against worms, Trojans and viruses;
  • reliable protection against adware and spyware;
  • a thorough check of files downloaded from the network, incoming mail, Internet traffic in real time;
  • protection against viruses when working with instant messaging services;
  • protection from any type;
  • operational detection and blockade of rootkits;
  • automatic update of the virus database.

ProtectMac AntiVirus

The program, as it were, "sits" in memory and vigilantly monitors all processes and operations carried out on the MacBook. If a virus infecting a computer is detected, it is immediately blocked, and the program notifies the user about it.

Zebra scanner

This is one of the best scanners that detects viruses. The program even detects Trojans masquerading as music and graphics files, videos or folders. The extensions of the files to be checked can be set manually by the user.

Virex

This antivirus scans HDD in search of Trojans, viruses and malicious codes, looks at every disk, every folder and file. It is also possible to individually check any element that seems suspicious to the user. It is also possible to set the start time of the automatic scan, after which detailed information will be provided indicating the detected problems.

Using the above programs, you can be completely confident in the reliable protection of your MacBook. Which antivirus to choose for Mac depends on the characteristics of the device and on the tasks that are set for it. Despite the low popularity of this operating system among hackers, protection is necessary for effective using a MacBook without the risk of infection and subsequent troubleshooting in service centers or independently.