Anti malware for MacOS Ventura 13

Question

Jez2011 Author

Level 1

24 points

Anti malware for MacOS Ventura 13

Hi all. I have an elderly MacBook Pro which won't upgrade beyond Ventura 13. I've recently discontinued my anti-malware subscription (McAfee) because both our PCs now run Windows 11 and it seems that the protection built into Windows 11 is sufficient. I read about the native protection built into MacOS but am concerned that the older OS on this MacBook might not be secure enough and might contain vulnerabilities that compromise my home network security. As far as I can see, it does not have XProtect etc installed.

I'm not an experienced Mac user so would appreciate relevant thoughts and guidance from the community..

Many thanks in anticipation.

Jez

Posted on Dec 22, 2025 3:31 AM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Dec 22, 2025 4:00 AM in response to Jez2011

As long as Ventura is up to date, you'll be fine.

See…

Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community

Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Dec 22, 2025 4:07 AM in response to Jez2011

Jez2011 wrote:

As far as I can see, it does not have XProtect etc installed.

In fact it does. Hold the option key, click on the Apple menu and choose "System Information…". Scroll down to Software, click on "Installations" then scroll to the bottom to see the XProtect installs.

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Dec 22, 2025 5:19 AM in response to Jez2011

One other point, you should see everything ever installed on your Mac under System Information > Software > Installations. Apparently 1Password is causing the issue. I've never installed it on my Macs and don't have the problem.

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Answer 4

Jez2011 Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 23, 2025 4:36 AM in response to dialabrain

Yes 13.7.8. I can't scroll - what you see is all I see. The weird thing is that, if you look at the path along the bottom, it shows a path all the way to the 1Password app. If I click on the level above: 'Installations', nothing happens. I would have expected it to then show everything that had been installed. If I click on 'software' (the next level up in the path) it does work as you might expect. WTH?!

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Answer 5

John Galt

Level 10

156,074 points

Dec 23, 2025 5:59 AM in response to Jez2011

That list should be scrollable.

Your screenshot shows the Software Name column is selected. Try clicking a different one, such as Install Date. Click it again to toggle the sort order. The most recent XProtect update should be one of the most recent installations.

If you are unable to get that list to scroll reboot the Mac.

If that doesn't work then something messed up that macOS installation; most likely "McAfee" or similarly categorized junk.

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Answer 6

Jez2011 Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 22, 2025 5:09 AM in response to dialabrain

Hi - thanks for the response. I don't see XProtect there. The only thing listed is my password vault... thoughts?

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Dec 22, 2025 5:09 AM in response to Jez2011

Can you post a screen shot of what you're look at? I'm already on a different Mac running Tahoe. If need be I can screen shot the Ventura panel when I get a chance. Are you on Ventura 13.7.8?

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Dec 22, 2025 5:11 AM in response to Jez2011

I see you have. :) Can you not scroll? Or did 1Password foul something up? In any case, it's there.

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Answer 9

dialabrain

Level 10

136,199 points

Dec 23, 2025 4:48 AM in response to Jez2011

Your best bet is to contact 1Password Support and ask them.

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Answer 10

Jez2011 Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 23, 2025 7:12 AM in response to John Galt

Ah that's it!! Thank you. I didn't spot the bar under the app list which I am able to drag down to expand the list, then scroll down. All good. I see multiple malware protection installs now. Fab :)

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