Virus protection on MacBook.

Not impossible. But I think the point is Apple responded very well and very quickly to patch it. My experience has been that keeping up to date with the updates (haha) is the most important defence. Apple deserve recognition for how quickly they respond and that's why is so important to get those updates ASAP. Bravo

I didn't advocate for them at all. Read above. I said they didn't work. I advocated getting Apple updates ASAP.

nrau Said:

"Virus protection on MacBook.: I have a MacBook Air M1. Do I need virus protection? This is my first Mac and I’ve always heard it’s not necessary. If it is necessary, what virus protection is recommended? Thank you!"

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You are Find without it:

No. You do not need virus protection. There are no viruses for Mac.

Additionally, the new Mac OS version includes some important changes: the OS and all system files are now "sequestered" on a read only, non-accessible volume that also includes X-Protect which means that neither you, nor anyone else (including a virus or an anti-virus app) has access to it.

Chill bro.

His point is that you just have to be cautious while using the internet.

Not all users are experts at computers and most people just takes internet safety for granted. It is the education of internet safety that will help all of us against attackers on the internet.

AGuyOnWheels wrote:

Anti-Virus apps exist in the App Store, and allow you to scan your device if you suspect something is amiss. Of course, it's probably best to avoid unknown virus scanners too, as some of those are actually malware in disguise.

The technical restrictions in the Mac App Store makes any anti-virus app impossible. I'm not saying they don't exist in the Mac App Store, just that they don't, and fundamentally can't ever, work.

MuFarag wrote:

Viruses exist on macOS,

No they don't. Viruses are those self replicating items that don't need any input by the user to install and move on. There are no known viruses for Mac. If you know of any post info on them here. And don't list adware or malware which require the user to click on a link or button to start the installation.

AGuyOnWheels wrote:

To clarify, are you saying that the Bitdefender and Avira apps on the App Store don't work?

I don't know anything about those apps so I can't comment on them.

I've never developed a Mac app, so I'm not familiar with the technical limitations imposed by the App Store that would prevent a virus scanner from operating as intended.

I have, however, developed a number of Mac apps, sometimes coming very close to, if not exceeding, the designed technical limits of the Mac App Store. One of those was an app that could detect and help the user remove most Mac malware. But those are two important qualifications - "help the user remove" and "most".

Plus there is another level of administrative restrictions. Any kind of traditional "scanning" is possible only if the user allows it, and apps, at least in my case, aren't allowed to even ask. And finally, there is yet another level of, what shall I call it, "unspeakable" restrictions?

That's why I can't comment on other developers in the Mac App Store. I simply don't know what special privileges they have been granted. As far as I understand the technical, administrative, and other limitations of the Mac App Store (and I understand them extremely well), anti-virus apps are impossible.

Do you mean Malwarebytes?

"While it’s true Macs are more secure than PCs, they’re still vulnerable to viruses, and they always have been."

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-antivirus/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-vPs4N_o8AIVD6myCh0thgWyEAAYASAAEgKrPvD_BwE

nrau Said:

A. "[...]I'm not going to put any virus protection on my Mac[...]"

👍

B. And I've used Malware Bytes in the past, that program was the worst, I know it found things just to prove that it can find things. I would do a scan everyday and everyday it found hundreds of things. I think it made my computer worse."

Malwarebytes is optional - but it usually finds nothing because there is nothing of concern installed. But. if there is anything of concern that is installed, it will find it.

nrau wrote:

And I've used Malware Bytes in the past, that program was the worst, I know it found things just to prove that it can find things. I would do a scan everyday and everyday it found hundreds of things. I think it made my computer worse.

Thanks again all!

FWIW, Malware Bytes is often recommended in these communities. Malware Bytes is not an antivirus app.

But sometimes the fault is not the User but a rogue third-party. Your advice is spot on. But not every person to ever get a Trojan is a criminal. So yes don’t use AV but keep up to date.

etresoft wrote:

The technical restrictions in the Mac App Store makes any anti-virus app impossible. I'm not saying they don't exist in the Mac App Store, just that they don't, and fundamentally can't ever, work.

To clarify, are you saying that the Bitdefender and Avira apps on the App Store don't work?

I've never developed a Mac app, so I'm not familiar with the technical limitations imposed by the App Store that would prevent a virus scanner from operating as intended.

I'm agreeing with you. But the timeline was significant as by that point it had root privileges that not I nor software could touch. But I agree with you totally.

My point is and I agree with you most is easy to remove, but for the rare things that are not - the AV claims don't stack up

** I should add that I've had 10 wonderful years of Apple devices with no problems and the culprit of my current woes is a shared network in my accomodation. I only raised my experience to make the point that AV didn't solve it. I do make very good use of your software!

I may not be the creator of this thread, but now I am asking for my own clarification:

Is it the consensus of the experts here at the Apple Support forums, that the Antivirus apps for Mac are basically hogwash and that macOS is innately immune from viruses and malware?

That's what I am observing from this conversation thus far, and is rather stunning.