What is the best Malware protection for Mac?

the weak link in a mac's security is us, the end users. any so called "anti-malware" apps are unnecessary, and most do cause issues within macOS while providing zero benefits. this also applies to "cleaner" and / or "optimizing" and / or "anti-virus" apps.

if you want to keep your Mac and yourself free of malware I would recommend that you read Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community. it's a long article, but worth your time to read every word.

merlady wrote:

Now that LockBit ransomware is now targeting Macs I’m thinking it’s time to get protection for my iMac. I would love some suggestions on the best products that provides protection without causing issues.

Good news! You already have anti-malware installed, a malware removal tool, and a malware scanner running.

Another key part of your security is backups, and preferably deep backups, and kept disconnected and/or rotated offsite and/or backup tools that perform write-only backups to (for instance) hosted cold storage. Preferably with separate credentials for creating backups, and for managing and deleting existing backups.

Agree with jefferythefrog. LockBit would be yet another in a long series of Mac Trojan malware. You have to download, install and run it. It won't simply appear on its own. That, and any AV software can't, and won't do anything to stop it. It's up to the user to pay attention to what they're downloading and from where.

You are the first, last, and only line of defense against phishing attacks. Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support is a good document to be familiar with.

merlady wrote:

Thanks for the document.

BTW: the recently announced Lockbit getting discussed around the 'net—if you read the details—was not signed, which means it cannot be run—absent heroic efforts—by a Mac user.

You're welcome. Tell your friends, spread the word. Recognition and avoidance is the only effective defense against exploits like this, and future exploits yet to arise.