Can Macs Get Malware?

Malwarebytes is useful for getting rid of adware. But, you only need to download the free version, run it, let it do its thing and then delete it. You don’t need to get the paid version and keep it running all the time.

FileRehab wrote:

No doubt, the answer to the question is not as easy as it sounds and it's true that Apple is one of the top companies in the world. I beleive that nothing is perfect in this world. Likewise Mac users also face malware issues but Macs have valuable built-in Antivirus for real protection. Expansion in the protection has its perks. What are your thoughts about my this thinking? If Macs need Antivirus then what would it be?

Third party AntiVirus is not recommended— it typically does nothing but add issues to the macOS and competes directly with Apple’s own built in security:

macOS - Security - Apple macOS - Security - Apple

Apple Platform Security - Apple Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

Protecting against malware in macOS

Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support

Right about what? You asked “What about Malwarebytes”. I answered that question. It’s a useful but optional tool that can find and delete adware. There is, however, no need to use it as an “antivirus scanner”. There is no need to have it running all the time. There is no need to pay money for it. And you can use your Mac safely and successfully with ever using it.

Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community

The way you chose to phrase your question implies a Mac can passively become affected by malicious software, and that does not happen. Therefore the answer to your question as written is no, Macs do not "get" malware.

However, plenty of deliberately malicious, ill-conceived or just poorly written software exists, ready to be installed on your Mac — if you explicitly allow it to be installed. There is nothing new about that. A Mac would not be the useful tool that it is without that ability.

Most likely, those who develop and disseminate products that "Malwarebytes" is designed to remove don't consider their products malware. They serve a purpose for their developers in the exact same manner that "Malwarebytes" does for its developers. I doubt they consider it malware either. I doubt MacPaw considers their "CleanMyMac" product malware, but countless people on this site affected by it and similar products disagree.

The point is that nothing gets installed on a Mac without your consent. But if you are motivated to install something malicious, you may certainly do so.

Ma’am, I’ve already expressed my opinion about Malwarebytes. It can be useful but it’s not absolutely necessary.

Best of luck, young lady.