Stop automatic update

Running anti-virus software on macOS is unnecessary, and as countless posts to the Apple Support Communities confirm, a surefire way to cause instability and performance degradation in the operating system which does not support viruses. In nearly every reported case, the removal of the anti-virus software was the remedy. Norton is chief among the offenders.

There are two justifiable reasons for anti-virus software on macOS: 1) if you are interchanging Windows Office documents with co-workers, or outside agencies — where the goal of the software would be to protect Windows users from themselves, and 2) Corporate security policy.

What you should be using regularly is Malwarebytes, either in its free form, or optional subscription. Many of us recommend, and personally use this product without vendor compensation. I personally use it, and so far, due to good habits, have not found any malware. It simply augments the continually updated malware updates that Apple pushes out each month, and that are built into the operating system. These are silent software updates.

Dock : System Preferences : App Store panel. These are my settings, and nothing gets automatically installed, except system data files and security updates that do not come through the Mac App Store.