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

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

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No organization that accepts advertising revenue can be considered independent, and that one makes it clear that they accept advertising revenue. Case closed.

Please link to or otherwise reference the section of its privacy policy that clearly states the sole purpose of Which? is to derive revenue from advertisers.

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.

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.

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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

That refers to Which? (the major U.K. consumer affairs organisation) using personal information to advertise its own products, services and campaigns. It most certainly does not relate to third parties, which was the original inference.

It’s entirely reasonable to argue that the advice given by Which? is incorrect, but it is in my opinion scurrilous to suggest that the organisation is profiting from that advice and that it therefore lacks independence.

Thank you for your reply, but it is entirely irrelevant to what I was saying.

I have not commented on the wisdom or otherwise of using antivirus software on a Mac. What I have challenged is the assertion, made by another contributor, that a very reputable British consumer champion is in fact making recommendations on the basis of its income from advertising. I believe such an assertion to be entirely incorrect.

What happened after a year's time that made you believe you need 3rd party virus protection?

If you were not infected in a full year, I think that would be a clue.

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.

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.