Best answer: Though Windows malware doesn't affect Mac devices, it's easy to unknowingly send these threats to PC-using colleagues, family members, and friends. During our testing, we used live malware and saw that the protections that come with Mac devices don't always stop them. Several threats are disguised to look like legitimate Mac programs and often sneak in through email messages and network connections. Luckily, a good antivirus program can stop them while keeping your Mac safe.

• Do Mac Need Antivirus
• Do Apple Computers Need Antivirus Software
• Do Apple Macs Need Antivirus Software Free
• Do Macbooks Need Antivirus Software

• Staff pick: Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac ($60 at Bitdefender)
• Tech support recommended: Malwarebytes ($40 at Malwarebytes)
• Free Mac antivirus: Avast Essential Security for Mac (Free at Avast)

May 07, 2020  “But modern Macs generally have plenty of resources (processing power, memory, and disk speed) to allow antivirus software to protect you without any. Adware, spyware, ransomware, and hardware and software vulnerabilities are some of the problems now affecting Macs, and not just PCs. Read on to learn more about some of the most common malware and viruses that can affect Apple devices, what the signs are, and what you can do. Apple’s built-in security system does a reasonable job at keeping malware at bay, but you should still consider beefing up protection by installing antivirus software. In this post, we discuss why you need to consider using antivirus with a Mac computer and reveal some of the best antivirus software to help.

If you start to notice weird advertisements popping up in strange places on popular websites like YouTube, you might be infected. These ads tend to feature adult content or claim that a virus has been detected on your device and will often appear in places that you don't normally see ads.

You may also discover that your personal email or social networking sites are sending out messages that you didn't write. If this happens, you should immediately change your password to stop any more messages being sent from your account.

If your Mac just isn't responding the way it should, you might have malware planted into your system somewhere. If it takes much longer for your Mac to wake up than it used to, there may be something lurking in the shadows.

You won't always know if you have a virus. Technology has improved for the bad guys just as much as it has improved for the good guys. There are viruses out there that are smart enough to know how to hide deep in your system and work constantly to keep you from noticing it, all while performing malicious attacks. And once you're infected, it super easy for other devices connected to your network to become infected, too.

While you may think you don't need antivirus protection on your Mac, it's more important than ever now that Apple has grown so popular. Even if you use a limited, free version of a program, you'll be doing yourself a favor.

How can I protect my Mac right now?

The Mac operating system includes a number of security tools that help keep adware and malware off your computer, including default restrictions on opening apps from unidentified developers. If you stick to only downloading apps from the Mac App Store and are good about staying away from seedy websites, you can keep your computer secure from most virus issues.

In fact, Apple's security tools are why you'll hear many old-school Mac users say that you don't need anti-virus protection. The Mac is locked down well right out of the box.

However, Adobe is actively working on its applications, so we’d expect that Adobe’s apps will soon become 64-bit and won’t be a problem.On the other hand, if you have a specialty application that is 32-bit, you should check to see whether it’s still being developed and will receive any updates. These apps will work normally in High Sierra, will display warnings in the release after High Sierra, and will stop working in the release after the release after High Sierra at the earliest. Check which apps are 32 bit mac. If it isn’t, you may want to look around and see whether there’s a replacement that will continue to function.Fortunately, there’s no rush. For example, in the screenshot here, we can see that we have quite a few pieces of Adobe software that are 32-bit.

Kodak Hero 5.1 All-in-One Printer Software Driver for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems. Kodak hero 9.1 printer.

However, there is more to protecting yourself than just avoiding bad apps and websites. You never know when you are going to pick something up that could create havoc on your Mac or on somebody else's PC. That's why, for added protection, you should think about getting antivirus software.

Staff pick

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

Do Mac Need Antivirus

Protection against Mac and Windows malware

Bitdefender runs in the background, deleting and eliminating Mac and Windows malware as it shows up. This protects both your Mac and friends' PCs from becoming infected. Bitdefender stops most threats before they download and includes phishing filters and a VPN.

Tech support recommended

Malwarebytes

Do Apple Computers Need Antivirus Software

Tech support's go-to

Do Apple Macs Need Antivirus Software Free

Malwarebytes is recommended by tech support at Apple, which downloads this program to user's devices when contacted about performance issues. This software searches out malware and other exploiting viruses and blocks websites that are known to distribute malicious content.

Free Mac antivirus

Avast Essential Security for Mac

Free basic protection

Do Macbooks Need Antivirus Software

Avast's Essential monitors your email messages for any phishing schemes, malicious links or downloads that could lead to a malware attack or identity theft. It also watches your network connection and stops hackers and snoops as they try to sneak in.

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