Mac Antivirus: What macOS Users Should Know
macOS includes XProtect signature scanning, Gatekeeper code-signing enforcement and notarisation checks. The malware that gets past all three is mostly adware and browser hijackers rather than classical viruses.
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The real Mac threat model
Fake Flash and update installers, bundled search hijackers, and 'Mac cleaner' apps that are themselves the problem. Infostealers targeting macOS have also grown, usually distributed through cracked software.
What to install
Malwarebytes for Mac is the standard free on-demand cleaner. Avast Security for Mac and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac provide resident protection if you want it. Avoid any 'cleaner' advertised through pop-ups.
Frequently asked questions
- Do Macs need antivirus?
- Not strictly, but a free on-demand scanner is genuinely useful because Mac adware is common and macOS does not remove it for you.
- Is Avast free for Mac?
- Yes, Avast Security for Mac has a free tier, with a paid upgrade adding ransomware and Wi-Fi features.