"Macs don't get viruses." It is one of the most repeated sentences in the tech world, and also one of the most dangerous. For years it was almost true, because cybercriminals focused on Windows. Today Macs are far more widespread, especially among professionals and people with good spending power, and they have become an attractive target.

Let us look at how things really stand: what protections macOS already has, which threats hit Macs and when it makes sense to add an antivirus.

The defences already built into macOS

Apple has done excellent work on baseline security. Every Mac includes:

  • Gatekeeper: checks that downloaded apps come from identified developers and have been notarised by Apple.
  • XProtect: a built-in anti-malware system that blocks known threats and updates automatically.
  • App sandboxing: App Store apps run in isolated spaces with limited permissions.
  • System Integrity Protection: prevents changes to vital macOS files.
  • FileVault: encrypts the disk, protecting your data if the computer is stolen.

These are solid defences, which is why an up-to-date Mac is already safer than an unprotected PC.

Why these defences are no longer enough

The limit of the built-in protections is that they focus on known threats and on files. But most modern attacks do not need to break into the system: they aim to convince you to open the door.

  • Adware and browser hijackers: they change your home page, flood the browser with ads and track your browsing.
  • Fake updates and fake installers: pop-ups asking you to update a video player or install an extension, which install malicious programs instead.
  • Data-stealing malware: in recent years programs designed specifically for Macs have appeared, stealing passwords saved in the browser, session cookies and cryptocurrency wallets.
  • Phishing: a fake website works the same way on Mac and Windows. No operating system protects you if you type your password on the wrong page.
  • Pirated apps: cracked versions of paid software are one of the most common ways to infect a Mac.

There is also an often forgotten aspect: a Mac can carry files infected with Windows malware without being harmed, and unknowingly pass them on to colleagues, friends or family.

When an antivirus for Mac really makes sense

Not every Mac user faces the same risks. An antivirus is especially recommended if you:

  • use your Mac for work and store customer data or important documents;
  • often download programs outside the App Store;
  • share the Mac with other people at home, perhaps teenagers;
  • often use public Wi-Fi in cafés, hotels and airports;
  • exchange many files with Windows users;
  • also have iPhones, iPads or Android devices to protect under a single subscription.

What a good Mac antivirus should offer

  • Lightweight real-time protection that does not slow the system down.
  • Web and anti-phishing protection in Safari, Chrome and Firefox.
  • Adware removal and cleanup of unwanted extensions.
  • Native apps updated for the latest macOS versions and Apple Silicon processors.
  • Multi-device coverage, to protect phones and home PCs too with one subscription.
  • Useful features such as a VPN and a password manager, if you need them.

Good habits for every Mac

  • Update macOS as soon as possible: updates fix security flaws.
  • Download apps from the App Store or the developer's official website.
  • Do not ignore Gatekeeper warnings: if macOS blocks an app, there is a reason.
  • Be wary of pop-ups asking you to install plugins or updates while you browse.
  • Turn on FileVault and two-factor authentication for your Apple ID.
  • Back up regularly with Time Machine to an external drive.

In short

The Mac is a secure system, but not an invulnerable one. The built-in protections stop the best-known threats, while phishing, adware and data theft get through exactly where basic defences do not reach. If you use your Mac for work, often download software or have other devices to protect, extra protection is a small investment compared with what it safeguards.

Our free quiz also takes your operating system into account: in one minute it points you to the best solution for your Mac and the other devices in your home, at the best price.