Need antivirus software for MacBook Air (Mac OS Ventura 13 5.2) ?

Hi there!

Good news! Mac computers do not need any sort of antivirus. Antivirus and similar types of software can interfere with macOS and potentially cause issues. 

Here are some links that describe Apple's built-in malware protection, which are far superior:

• macOS - Security - Apple
• Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support
• Protect your Mac from malware - Apple Support
• Ways to avoid malware and harmful apps on Mac - Apple Support

Jack

CaptainWhiz Said:

"Need antivirus software for MacBook Air (Mac OS Ventura 13 5.2) ?"

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Using Antivirus Software on a Mac:

No. Antivirus Software just gets in the way on a Mac, and there are plenty examples of how and why, if you overview these forums.

So, what to use...

Scan with MalwareBytes for Mac:

This is software that searches for malware/adware. So, scan with it and then remove what is found. Once removed, uninstall MalwareBytes for Mac, if desired. It is created by long time users of these forums, making it the only trustworthy Security Software for a Mac.

Malwarebytes for Mac Downloads:

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

Zurarczurx wrote:

Good point. I wasn't burgled and my house didn't burn down last year so I won't be renewing my insurance this year.

Not a valid analogy. Your Mac already has malware protection. It is additional, third-party malware protection is not necessary. Do you carry a second homeowner's policy from a company that advertised to you that, unless you have that policy, you're house will burn down?

Do I need to get anti-virus protection?

No.

If so, what is recommended?

Read Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community

No; instead, avoid downloading software from sources other than the Mac App Store or the developer websites.

(244581)

My house has locks, security doors and windows, a burglar alarm, a guard dog and my important stuff is in a safe. I haven't been robbed ever. I still have insurance for theft.

Which? an independent UK consumer advice organisation recommends getting AV for a Mac.

The fact that Apple puts out security updates to fix real-world vulns for the OS and Safari shows that Macs *are* vulnerable to malware, in spite of the built-in protections. But, most importantly, the size of a risk is the probability of it happening multiplied by the impact it would have. The probability of my Mac getting hacked is probably very low, but the impacts - losing files (albeit temporarily cos I’ve got backups), having to buy a new Mac and a new NAS or getting my identity stolen or losing money from my pension or savings- are potentially life-changing, so I’m fine with paying a few quid a year for belt and braces.

[Edited by Moderator]

Various articles &/or indexes:

Apple security releases (recent) - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222

Apple Platform Security - [Table of Contents] Apple Support

//support.apple.com/guide/security/toc

Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/guide/security/welcome/web

Among other insightful resources to ponder ~ short of ineffectual 3rd party expenditure.

[Ignore valid Apple-sourced patches that do not seek you out: At ones own peril.]

So, you'd rather install software that will impact the performance of your Mac, probably create numerous, scary false positives so that it can ..... do absolutely nothing that the built-in protection doesn't already do (probably does less)? And pay money for the privilege? Sounds like a great plan!

Perhaps consider evidence contrary to your belief(s) of the inherent alleged fail-safe of your

anti-virus campaigns from "independent" makers, whose primary design includes for profit

selling of snake-oil cures and made up premises you buy into without investigation.. This

might well be much more invented; specialized deviously & convince you by propaganda?

The makers of macOS and incredible fields of true science, keep forging paths ahead, that

are safe. However unless you are like the scratchy dog trying to rid itself of fleas, that idea

might be lost in the forest of unbelief. Even the delirious dog, raw from so much scratching

appreciates a good safe insecticide; not of its own invention. The disease from outside is

an ever-present problem, as Apple knows and attempts prevention ahead of failures.

These links have peripheral details about how Apple has factors you can use to prevent issues.

Various security and safety articles &/or indexes:

Apple security releases (recent) - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222

Apple Platform Security - [Table of Contents] Apple Support

//support.apple.com/guide/security/toc

Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/guide/security/welcome/web

Apple Platform Security - Apple-platform-security-guide.pdf

//help.apple.com/pdf/security/en_US/apple-platform-security-guide.pdf

Occasional preventative measures are available to end users, and may not

automatically be deployed; but at the same token, allow the end users to

engage the recent updates before they are widely known to non-users.

Apple does this work before your third-party deviant art folk see a need.

Other opinions are available. I run anti virus. BitDefender is OK on my 2023 MBP M2 and I barely notice it. I've just upgraded from a 2015 MBA and it *was* noticeable on that, but I was happy to live with the overhead for the added security.

Zurarczurx wrote:

Other opinions are available. I run anti virus. BitDefender is OK on my 2023 MBP M2 and I barely notice it. I've just upgraded from a 2015 MBA and it *was* noticeable on that, but I was happy to live with the overhead for the added security.

You are spreading a false narrative. Installing additional third party anti virus apps does not make you "safer". How many third party apps should be installed until you think you are safe enough?

No impact on performance. I get no scary, false positives My Mac contains man-years of work. Ignoring it physical value it's worth tens of thousands of pounds to me. Macs are not immume from attacks, malware and compromise, - otherwise Apple wouldn't put out security updates. I've got a multi-layered strategy to protect the stuff that's important to me - backups - local and offsite, email filtering to help me not click on stuff when I'm not concentrating, nothing gets stuck in a USB port that I've not independently checked on a separate, isolated machine, a couple of physical firewalls and .... an independent virus checker. It's my data, my money, I'm happy and I don't see why anyone should get het up about it

You do know that the OS is "sequestered" in a non-accessible, read only volume ? That means no one can make any changes - and that includes AV software. All it can do is attempt it which may cause havoc to your system.

You are convinced you need it. Good luck with it.

No, you won't need that. Anti virus software is only making your Mac slow and your Mac is not prone to viruses.

Do your research. Which? is an independent consumer association. In the UK it is THE independent consumer association. I know where I'll take my advice from.