Virus Recommendation / Further Safety Programs, Etc

here are some: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community

The built-in anti-malware works well, blocking write access to macOS, and with built-in scanning and removal, and with the app store reducing the likelihood that malware gets onto your Mac and easing mass removal if something does get past app review.

Details: Apple Platform Security - Apple Support (See page 104 in the PDF version of that document.)

Add-on anti-malware is not without issues. (Here’s one case.) In some others, the add-on merrily mis-detected malware in macOS and tried to delete part of macOS, and macOS built-in anti-malware blocked the add-on anti-malware attempt to corrupt macOS.

A common path for folks getting themselves in trouble:

… Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

(This includes getting folks to load unnecessary or problematic apps, too.)

And you will want to acquire and configure either a hard disk drive or NAS with Time Machine capabilities for your backups, as backups are a critical part of your data security:

… How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support

"Virus Recommendation / Further Safety Programs, Etc: Hey folks, Loving my Mac Air, first time Mac user and had a simple one for folks: I have Apple Care, and I know this covers hardware and stuff, but what do you folks recommend for anti-virus software to buy or download? I definitely want to take care of this device!!! Thanks,-Patrick"

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Keeping your Mac Secure:

A. Keep Security Software Off:

You should keep anti-virus stowage off of your Mac. It just gets in the way, and reading these forums over they years, you'll find out plenty example of how and why.

B. VPNs:

Unless required for work or school, do not use a VPN. Connectivity becomes a big issue.

C. Use MalwareBytes for Mac:

This is software that searches for malware/adware. So, scan with it and then remove what is found from the quarantine. Once removed, uninstall MalwareBytes for Mac .Then restart the Mac. Malwarebytes for Mac looks for malware and ransomware. It is created by longtime users of these forums. So, that is why it is the only way to go about securing your Mac, when it comes through use of software 

Downloads:

1. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac
2. Malwarebytes uninstaller

JZaprazny wrote:

i dont have anti virus and its ok

All recent versions of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS all have malware scanning and removal tooling, and related. Built in.

Learn to recognize and avoid phishing scams and dodgy links – whether presented in e-mail, on Web sites, in text messsages, or in Web notifications. Or phone calls from the "IRS", "FBI", or "Apple Support."

For a lot of stuff that involves stealing your money, getting personal information for use in committing later identity fraud, or attacking your device, the first step is for the criminals to get you to trust them or their message enough that you provide access that they would not otherwise have.

By knowing how to recognize and avoid scams, you can cut a lot of that off at the knees.

For instance, you may get e-mail from spammers telling you that your subscription to (some anti-virus program that you never used) has expired, and you should "click here" to protect your device.

Don't. Trash the e-mail, and stay safe.

Or you may get e-mail claiming that your computer is infested with hundreds, even thousands, of viruses. This kind of e-mail is definitely from criminals and is intended to scare you so badly that you click on the link.

Don't. Trash the e-mail, and stay safe.

You are welcome.

irrishpeaches wrote:

who would've thought it would be a bad thing!

First time Mac users 😉

Love it!

i dont have anti virus and its ok