should i download a antivirus program on my macbook air m2

Palode wrote:

Should I download McAfee or a similar antivirus product on my new Macbook Air M2?

No. Third party anti virus apps are not needed and they use system resources while providing no benefit. They may also cause problems.

Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community

macOS - Security - Apple

Security features for MacBook Pro - Apple Support

There is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  

There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   

Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.

There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  

Just some more on the same subject for emphasis.

No. See: Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community

A Mac doesn't get virus it only gets Malware! So if the IT guy educated him on that and ask hime if any programs he offered protect with Trojan detection? Also most IT security guys say if a person is not address book don't open any email links inside email unless it's from the presidents office of company!

Um, a virus is malware. So is a Trojan or worm. And I wouldn't automatically trust any attachment in an unexpected email from the company president.