JohnoSRCA wrote:
MalwareBytes is the Best Replacement. It guards all of your devices against Malware And Viruses. There is a freeware edition. However, I recommend the paid subscription. For $30.00 per year, it protects 5 devices with the most accurate security. It offers military grade protection
When considering an add-on security app…
Is the add-on appreciably better than the built-in security (And the add-on apps cannot bypass and cannot disable the built-in macOS security including the signed system volume, cryptexes, and such. The availability of lockdown mode to constrain previously-unknown vulnerabilities. The custom password-related security recommendations Apple provides for each install. macOS can and does defend itself against corruptions arising from errors within add-on anti-malware, too.)
Is the add-on anti-malware itself potentially vulnerable and explotable? Add-on security apps have themselves become big targets. And some of the add-on anti-malware is unfortunately poorly implemented.
Is the vendor themselves hardened against attacks, lest the vendor be compromised and push out exploits? Or leak whatever data they collect? And does the vendor collect the minimum necessary and exclude sensitive data?
Is the vendor protecting user metadata and not reselling it as some well-known add-ons have done, both now and into the reasonable future? (Avast was collecting web browsing history and web purchasing history and reselling it.)
Is the vendor add-on app “noisy” about inconsequential findings or downright stupid findings; prone to self-advertising?
Phrases including “virus”, “accurate security”, and “military grade” are also not particularly great choices for add-on anti-malware app advertising, too.
In aggregate, adding security apps can potentially result in a decrease of security, and can increase unnecessary noise. And many of the exploits are based on phishing or social engineering or password re-use or such, compromising us, and not based on compromising our computers.
I’d again suggest reading: Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community
Additionally:
Add-ons aren’t a panacea.
