What is the best antivirus software for the Mac - Noticed that the last discussion on this site was back in 2011 and it seemed that back then Norton caused a lot of issues on the Mac. Is this still the case?
iMac 27″, macOS 12.7
NEITHER! First, 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.
Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they provide false security from a privacy standpoint.
NEITHER! First, 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.
Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they provide false security from a privacy standpoint.
Rosebud_4189 wrote:
What is the best antivirus software for the Mac - Noticed that the last discussion on this site was back in 2011 and it seemed that back then Norton caused a lot of issues on the Mac. Is this still the case?
For these kinds of hand-grenade question, I like to post a ChatGPT response
As of my last update, which was in January 2022, Norton Antivirus for Mac has significantly improved its performance and compatibility with macOS. It's generally regarded as a reliable option for Mac users, offering comprehensive protection against various types of malware, viruses, and online threats.
MacKeeper, on the other hand, has a somewhat mixed reputation. While it does offer antivirus protection along with other utilities for Mac optimization and cleanup, it has faced criticism in the past for aggressive advertising tactics and concerns over privacy and security.
When choosing between the two, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a straightforward antivirus solution with a good track record, Norton Antivirus is a solid choice. However, if you're interested in additional features like optimization tools and cleanup utilities, MacKeeper might be worth considering, but be sure to research recent reviews and user feedback to make an informed decision.
To reiterate, I did not write that. The quote above is the opinion of Artificial Intelligence.
Yes that is still the case. Don't install any Antivirus. Your Mac is well protected and the system is locked on a read only partition of the drive that prevents alterations from any virus. Installing any software of this type will have no affect on security and will only cause problems with your computer as it conflicts with the built in security.
The most important thing you can do is protect your Apple ID Password and be aware of the many phishing attempts. There is no antivirus software that will prevent you from giving this information to someone that is trying to compromise your account.
Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support
You do not need to install any third-party AV-ware.
see > macOS - Security - Apple
The best is none. Just keep your Mac up to date.
etresoft wrote:
To reiterate, I did not write that. The quote above is the opinion of Artificial Intelligence.
Of course you didn't. You know better. đź‘Ť
Apparently AI can be bought. Who saw that coming 🙄
Wait, might AI stand for Artificial Ignorance?
BDAqua wrote:
Wait, might AI stand for Artificial Ignorance?
Whatever it stands for, AI is no match for natural stupidity.
MacKeeper vs Norton Antivirus??
