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Do i need antivirus on my Mac mini?

Today, just moments ago, I crashed into a site unintentionally, with flashing "popups" warning me about virus and "recommending" I purchase some antivirus program


-- a few moments it felt like I could not close the window


-- therefore this question


|Mac mini (Late 2014)

|2,8 GHz Intel Core i5

|16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

|macOS Catalina

|10.15 Beta




Posted on Sep 12, 2019 10:51 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 12, 2019 10:58 AM

No Anti-Virus software or so-called “cleaning” apps are needed or recommended for Mac OS. They can conflict with Mac's own built-in security. At best they will slow your Mac by using unnecessary resources and at worst will bork your entire system. Your Mac has all the built-in protection you need.

macOS - Security - Apple


Force Quit Safari ( command + option + esc keys).Then restart Safari holding the Shift key. 


If you still have problems Empty Caches (Safari menu > Preferences > Privacy > Remove all website data. (This will also remove history if you do not want to remove History open Safari Preferences > Advanced and check mark “Show Develop Menu” then choose “Empty Caches” from Develop Menu ).


Then go to Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions and check there. If there is an extension delete it.


If the problem persists then download and run Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes was developed by one of our own colleagues here in ASC and is about the most proven anti-malware software for Mac.





4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 12, 2019 10:58 AM in response to mik-mak

No Anti-Virus software or so-called “cleaning” apps are needed or recommended for Mac OS. They can conflict with Mac's own built-in security. At best they will slow your Mac by using unnecessary resources and at worst will bork your entire system. Your Mac has all the built-in protection you need.

macOS - Security - Apple


Force Quit Safari ( command + option + esc keys).Then restart Safari holding the Shift key. 


If you still have problems Empty Caches (Safari menu > Preferences > Privacy > Remove all website data. (This will also remove history if you do not want to remove History open Safari Preferences > Advanced and check mark “Show Develop Menu” then choose “Empty Caches” from Develop Menu ).


Then go to Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions and check there. If there is an extension delete it.


If the problem persists then download and run Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes was developed by one of our own colleagues here in ASC and is about the most proven anti-malware software for Mac.





Do i need antivirus on my Mac mini?

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