I try to base my advice on data rather than on marketing, so let’s look at the data.īefore we continue, allow me to define anti-malware. It’s software that prevents and/or removes malware (malicious software) from a device. The term antivirus is often used for software that’s anti-malware, because it fights not only viruses but other forms of malware. Mac Malware ExistsĪny software can be compromised, and macOS is no exception. Although there’s a lot less malware for macOS than for Windows, it does exist. Whilst it is certainly true that the population of macOS malware is very tiny compared to that for Windows and Android, there have been instances of macOS malware getting into the wild. ![]() Mac Security Test & Review 2019 ()įrom 2012 to 2017, the number of macOS users who have experienced attacks from malicious and potentially unwanted programs grew, approaching 255,000 attacked users per year. However, starting in 2018, the number of attacked users began to decrease, and in the first half of 2019, it only amounted to 87,000. The number of attacks on macOS users through malicious and potentially unwanted programs has been increasing annually since 2012, and in 2018 it exceeded 4 million attacks. During the first half of 2019, we registered 1.8 million attacks of this kind. The vast majority of threats for macOS in 2019 were in the AdWare category. Threats to macOS users ()Īttackers will likely increase their focus on the operating system, but the platform is still far from a popular target … Currently, only 3% of WatchGuard’s network devices encountered malware targeting Mac OS. WatchGuard is not the only company to see an increase in malware tailored to the Mac OS. Security-software firm Malwarebyte noted an increase in Mac malware, detecting some 16 million instances in just April, four times more than the previous monthly record over the past year. “The data does indicate there is a rise in the prevalence of threats,” … the rise is likely connected to increasing popularity.įor the most part, adware is driving the increase. WatchGuard noted that the most detected Mac malware program installed adware. While we have seen Mac malware, we have not seen a vulnerability be exploited in Mac software in the same way as on Windows.” Malware Coming to a Mac Near You? Yes, Say Security Firms () “Mac does have some nice security features, but they’re fairly easy to bypass,” …įor Malwarebytes, potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) accounted for the largest category of Mac detections, followed by adware. Joe brings that same passion to How-To Geek.Gatekeeper: checks software that you download from outside the App Store.Security Software Built into macOSįortunately, Apple has included some anti-malware functionality in macOS: Note that Mac malware is mostly potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and adware, both of which are less dangerous than other forms of malware. ![]() If something piques his interest, he will dive into it headfirst and try to learn as much as possible. Outside of technology, Joe is an avid DIYer, runner, and food enthusiast. After several years of jailbreaking and heavily modifying an iPod Touch, he moved on to his first smartphone, the HTC DROID Eris. He got his start in the industry covering Windows Phone on a small blog, and later moved to Phandroid where he covered Android news, reviewed devices, wrote tutorials, created YouTube videos, and hosted a podcast.įrom smartphones to Bluetooth earbuds to Z-Wave switches, Joe is interested in all kinds of technology. He has written thousands of articles, hundreds of tutorials, and dozens of reviews.īefore joining How-To Geek, Joe worked at XDA-Developers as Managing Editor and covered news from the Google ecosystem. ![]() Joe loves all things technology and is also an avid DIYer at heart. He has been covering Android and the rest of the Google ecosystem for years, reviewing devices, hosting podcasts, filming videos, and writing tutorials. Joe Fedewa has been writing about technology for over a decade.
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