Do Macs Need Antivirus Software?

Mac computershave long enjoyed a well-earned reputation for having robust security. Apple's closed ecosystem, coupled with the built-in security featuresfound on Macs and iPhones,has led many users to believe that Apple productsare immune to viruses. And while MacBooksare arguably more secure than MicrosoftWindowsPCs, they aren't without vulnerabilities.

This article goes over some of the known malwarethreats that can affect Macs and explores some security measuresyou can take to help safeguard your Appledevices.

6 types of malwarethat can affect Macs

There are a lot of benefits to being a Mac user, including built-in security featuresthat allow you to enjoy the Appleecosystem without too much worry. However, if your Mac has a security flaw or you've experienced a social engineering attack, like phishing, it could put the device at risk.

It's a good idea to be aware of the different types of malwarethat can affect Mac securityand functionality.

Adware

Adwareis software that displays several types of online advertising, with pop-upads being the most common. Adwareinfects computer systems when users download programs that are loaded with it or when hackerstake advantage of a security vulnerabilityto insert it.

Potentially unwanted programs

Potentially unwanted programs(PUPs) are software applications that most users would deem unnecessary. These programs are often bundled with wanted programs installed by the user. The unwanted programmight be malicious softwarethat displays intrusive advertising, tracks the user's activity, or compromises personal data.

Ransomware

Ransomwareis any malwarethat threatens to leak the user's data if a ransom isn't paid. To achieve this, ransomwarerenders files unusable by encrypting them. The user is then pressured into paying the ransom in exchange for decryption.

Spyware

Spywareis any program that collects a user's data and forwards it to a third party without authorization. Keep in mind that any software - including legitimate ones - can be classified as spywareif it's downloaded to the user's device without permission.

Phishing

Phishingis an umbrella term for various scamsinvolving sending a fraudulent message designed to mislead a user into exposing personal data or to embed a malicious program into their system. As of 2021, phishingwas the most common formof cyberattack.

Trojans

Trojansrefer to a type of malwarethat tricks users into downloading it by masquerading as a legitimate program. These malicious programs spread by misleading users into doing simple tasks, such as completing a fill-in form or clicking on fake ads.

How do viruses affect Macs?

Viruses can affect Macs in a variety of ways. Depending on the type of malwarethat infects the Mac, symptoms might range from mild ones that could go undetected for weeks to ones that are instantly noticeable.

Here are some signs that you might see if your Mac is infected with a virus:

• The operating systemis running slower than usual.
• Pop-upads are frequently appearing.
• Website pages aren't displaying properly.
• New extensions are added to your browser without your permission.
• You can't access personal files.

A Mac that's been infected with a virusputs your personal data at risk. Among these risks is the possibility of passwords being compromised and personal files being deleted from the hard drive.

How to check your Mac for viruses

Apple's built-in security system makes checking for viruses a relatively simple process. Follow these steps to make sure all bases are covered:

Checking for Mac malware

To check if your Mac is infected with a virus, start by monitoring your system's memory usage. To access the Activity Monitor, go to Applications> Utilities> Activity Monitor> CPU.

Sort the CPU percentage from high to low and look for unusually high CPU use. If a particular process stands out, do a quick search to determine whether it's malicious.

Checking for suspicious applications

While viruses are rarely found in the Applications folder, it's still a good idea to check since Trojanscan be embedded in a wide range of apps. Go to your Applications folder and look for any you don't remember installing.

If a search reveals illegitimate apps, delete them from the folder and empty your trash.

Checking your login items

Since malwaretends to load automatically when you start your Mac, there's a good chance it will show up in your macOSlogin items list. To check the list, go to Users & Groupsin System Preferencesand go through the list after clicking on the Login Itemstab.

Select any item that stands out as suspicious and remove it by clicking the minus (-) button.

Do Macs have built-in antivirus protection?

While Macs don't come with conventional antivirus protection, they do boast several internet security features. Here are the main ones:

XProtect

XProtectis an anti-malware system built into Mac OS X. XProtectstores all known malwaredefinitions in a file and prevents any application with these definitions from being installed on the system. If you try to open an infected file, XProtectwill display a warning message and tell you what type of malwareit is.

Gatekeeper

As the name implies, Gatekeeperis a macOSbuilt-in security featurethat verifies all downloaded appsbefore allowing them to be installed. In essence, Gatekeeperprevents unrecognized third-party applications from running on the system, reducing the possibility of malwareinfiltration.

Sandboxing

Sandboxingis a mechanism that restricts third-party appsfrom making changes to the system or accessing files stored by other apps. This helps limit damage to the device and protects the user's data in case an appis compromised.

Malware Removal Tool

Apple's Malware Removal Tool(MRT) is a built-in malwareremovalsoftware that removes any malicious softwarethat manages to infiltrate your system. This process occurs automatically whenever XProtectdetects malwareon a file or app.

6 tips to keep your Mac safefrom viruses

Now that you're familiar with the security threatsthat Macs can experience, the next step is prevention. Here are some best practices to keep your Mac safefrom viruses.

Keep your operating systemupdated

Using an outdated version of the operating system(OS) can pose a risk to your Mac, as hackersmay exploit a known vulnerabilityin the system. Getting a software updateallows you to benefit from the latest security updatesthat help mitigate these vulnerabilities.

The good news is that Applemakes it easy to keep your OS in working order with automatic updates. Simply open System Preferences> Software Update. Then, check the Automatically keep my Macup to datebox.

You can also do manual updates by clicking Advancedin the Software Updatesection and choosing:

• Check for updates
• Download new updates when available
• Install macOSupdates
• Install appupdates from the Mac App Store

Double-check your privacy and security settings

Staying on top of your privacy and security settings can go a long way in protecting your Mac from viruses. To make sure that no suspicious appscan be installed on your system, head over to the preference pane in the Security & Privacysection in System Preferencesand select App Storeand App Storeand Identified Developersas the only sources from which software can be installed.

Consider using a VPNon public Wi-Finetworks

Many Wi-Fihot spots don't require authentication to establish a network connection. This can make them vulnerable to hackerslooking to infiltrate unsecured devices.

To secure your connection when using public Wi-Fi, be sure to use a virtual private network (VPN) like McAfee's Secure VPN. Our VPNtechnology allows you to connect safely to public Wi-Fiby encrypting (in other words, scrambling) your data. You'll stay anonymous and secure from advertisers and prying eyes, and the VPNwill turn on automatically when you connect to an unsecured network.

Install antivirus software

As effective as some of Apple's built-in security featuresare, the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity threats may require the use of an antivirus programlike the award-winning antivirus softwareincluded in McAfee Total Protection.

This program was designed with Mac-specific vulnerabilitiesin mind and offers three different ways to scan your system:

• Real-timescanning
• On-demand scanning
• Scheduled scanning

It also comes with customizable firewallprotection and a wide range of privacy and identity tools and features. While the antivirus softwareprotects your Mac from online threats, you can enjoy enhanced peace of mind.

Ensure your firewallis turned on

A firewallis a built-in security system that protects your Mac by blocking suspicious internet traffic. Keep your firewallenabled at all times to benefit from this protection.

McAfee's robust firewallprotection that comes with our antivirus softwareputs you in control of the data that comes in and goes out through your network.

Back up your Mac regularly

Backing up files is a simple yet effective way to protect you from data loss in case your system is compromised. You can use the Time Machine feature to back up your Mac to an external hard drive and restore it when the need arises.

To back up your Mac, follow these steps:

1. Plug an external hard drive into your Mac.
2. Click the Appleicon in the upper-left menu.
3. Select System Preferences.
4. Click Time Machine.
5. Click Select Backup Disk.
6. Pick the drive and select Use Disk.
7. Check the Back Up Automaticallybox.

Add additional protection to your Mac with McAfee

As cybersecurity threats continue to grow in scale and complexity, Apple's built-in security featuresare a good place to start. For comprehensive protection against these threats, though, consider adding another layer of defense with McAfee Total Protection.

Our all-in-one protection suite helps keep your personal information and privacy safe with a secure VPN, premium antivirus software, identity monitoring, and other top-of-the-line features. Malwaredoesn't have to be a concern when you've got McAfee in your corner.

See the difference McAfee Total Protection can make when it comes to living your best life online.

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