does my computer require virus and malware protection from other companies such as Mcafee. I have been talked into a 5 year contract with Mcafee because they have told me that my security with Apple does not cover virus. Is this true?

Does my computer require virus and malware protection from other companies such as Mcafee. I have been talked into a 5 year contract with Mcafee because they have told me that my security with Apple does not cover virus. Is this true?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Jul 29, 2020 8:07 AM

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Posted on Jul 29, 2020 9:15 AM

jerryjo245 wrote:

Does my computer require virus and malware protection from other companies such as Mcafee. I have been talked into a 5 year contract with Mcafee because they have told me that my security with Apple does not cover virus. Is this true?

You've been conned. You do not need nor should you install any third party anti virus apps. I would guess that whoever sold you the app could not name a single Mac virus that they will protect your computer from.

macOS - Security - Apple

Set up your Mac to be secure - Apple Support

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 29, 2020 9:15 AM in response to jerryjo245

jerryjo245 wrote:

Does my computer require virus and malware protection from other companies such as Mcafee. I have been talked into a 5 year contract with Mcafee because they have told me that my security with Apple does not cover virus. Is this true?

You've been conned. You do not need nor should you install any third party anti virus apps. I would guess that whoever sold you the app could not name a single Mac virus that they will protect your computer from.

macOS - Security - Apple

Set up your Mac to be secure - Apple Support

Jul 29, 2020 9:30 AM in response to jerryjo245

they have told me that my security with Apple does not cover virus. Is this true?

In weaselly lawyer world, their statement is correct, but not for the reason they implied.


There are no viruses in the wild that can affect macOS. So, technically, Apple's security does not "cover" viruses. But, neither do McAfee's or any other vendor's AV software. There aren't any viruses to protect against.


A virus is a specific form of Malware which includes viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, and a few other categories.

Apple's OS and security model prevents all types of Malware that are capable of attacking macOS.


If you follow the guidelines in the article dialabrain linked, you will not have any problems with any form of Malware or Adware.

Jul 29, 2020 5:08 PM in response to jerryjo245

I will second what you have been told here. In addition, I recommend that you go to Mcafee's web site and then download and run their uninstaller to fully and completely remove all the bits and pieces of their program. Leaving it in will definitely seriously slow down your computer and may well also cause other problems. Sorry to say you have been conned, but now you have learned something, and that's not bad.

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does my computer require virus and malware protection from other companies such as Mcafee. I have been talked into a 5 year contract with Mcafee because they have told me that my security with Apple does not cover virus. Is this true?

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