Mac: have antiviruses become essential today?

For a long time, Mac computer users have mistakenly believed that their devices are safe from viruses and malware. They therefore thought that it was unnecessary to install an antivirus. While it’s true that Apple’s operating systems are generally more secure than Windows, it’s crucial that every computer is protected with software that can detect and remove malware. Here you can find the essentials to know about the protections that Apple brings to your Mac.

Are there viruses on Mac?

Over the years, Windows computers have been affected in large numbers by computer viruses. This is because they have always had a higher number of users. It is easy to understand that the hackers have for a long time focused their efforts on attacking the more widespread of the two systems. In addition, macOS is based on the Unix operating system, which has several protection mechanisms. These measures are in addition to own measures of IT security from Apple.

However, in recent years, the Apple company has seen an increase in popularity. At the same time, the list of malware affecting its products has grown considerably. According to a report published between 2018 and 2019, malware threats on Macs have increased fourfold: with this new information, install an antivirus for your Mac is no longer an option, but a necessity.

Why install an antivirus on your Mac?

Apple does a very good job of protecting its users from malicious content. However, installing an antivirus will allow you to optimize your security. It exists on the market a large number of free antivirus software tailored to the needs of each user. If you need continuous protection, you can for example buy Sophos Home for Mac, which will alert you immediately in the event of a threatens. In addition, programs such as Norton, Avast and Bitdefender will also help you detect possible infections when you manually scan a file.

Also avoid falling into the trap of a malicious program disguised as an antivirus. This is the case, for example, with Mac Defender, which in 2011 masqueraded as an antivirus and ended up becoming the first major threat of malware for Mac. On the other hand, if by bad luck your Mac has already been infected with a virus, don’t worry. There are easy and free methods to remove viruses from a Mac.

How does Apple protect your Mac?

Macs have several security systems that protect devices from malware. Here is an overview of the four systems that are most important.

Sandbox

This application will protect you from those programs which, although approved by Apple, perform functions which are not suitable for them. They therefore cannot access information about your Mac that could be used for harmful purposes.

Gatekeeper

This application is responsible for blocking all malicious programs that it detects. This works the same when installing an unknown program by the computer user. It is recommended to change the preferences in the ” Security and confidentiality To authorize only the use of software developed and / or identified by Apple.

Safari

Browsing the Internet with Apple’s browser will also protect you from some fraudulent websites, thanks to the built-in anti-phishing technology. In addition to blocking access, Safari Notifies you of potentially dangerous content with an alert.

Xprotect

All Apple branded computers come with Xprotect, an automatic scan tool. It scans all files before opening them for a potential attack and blocks files from a developer not approved by Apple. When you try to open an infected file, an alert always pops up to warn you of this potential danger. It even goes so far as to specify the type of malware. In this case, the user must delete file at once.

However, you must have installed the latest version of certain add-ons to benefit from the functionality of this tool. Indeed, for security reasons, they will not work if they are not up to date.

How does Apple identify a security threat?

To ensure the safety of its customers, Apple has its own team responsible for identifying threats to the security of its system. However, they did not think during its implementation to encourage professionals or users who helped them discover loopholes to do more. It was a little later, in 2016, that a reward system was put in place, three years after Windows. It should be noted, however, that the discovery of these same bugs is better paid in the hacker world.

Other easy and effective ways to protect your Mac

If you still don’t feel protected, there are other security measures to protect your Mac device.

Encrypt your hard drive

FileVault software protects the data on your internal hard drive and offers the ability to also encrypt your removable and external disks. Activate this service in the “Security and confidentiality” pane of your Mac’s preferences to create a par–fire impassable on your hard drive.

Avoid public wifi networks

Some hackers use public networks to gain access to information as private as the passwords of other users. Still others do it by creating their own hotspots and pretending to be a nearby hotel or bar. So avoid anything that is public wifi networks to protect your Mac.

Update Java and Flash

Several bugs in Apple’s system have been caused by outdated versions of Java or Flash. It is therefore advisable to always have the last version installed.

Don’t support hacking

Your Mac is vulnerable to software that does not come directly from the App Store. So avoid downloading any illegal software.

Don’t fall for phishing

One of the avenues of entry for cybercriminals is phishing emails. Protect yourself against phishing by avoiding suspicious links and do not give out your password on unsecured sites.

Ultimately, even if the cases are less frequent compared to Windows, there are indeed viruses on Mac. It is therefore up to you to take your precautions by installing an antivirus and applying the recommended security measures to protect your computer.