When you have bought a Mac, you will already know that it is a significant investment, one that you will want to protect as best that you can. There are a variety of ways that you can do this, including making sure that it is updated and taking it to a professional should any issues arise.
However, many people seem to have one question: Does my Mac need anti-virus software?
This blog post sets out to answer this big question and give you all the information you need regarding Macs and anti-virus software.
Where has the idea come from that Macs don’t need anti-virus software?
When you consider just how useful anti-virus software is to your everyday computer, it definitely sounds strange to think that Macs wouldn’t even need anti-virus software. So, where does this idea come from?
We need to go back to 2012 for the answer to this when Mac was quoted as claiming that “we don’t get viruses” as a part of their marketing tactics.
Of course, they had to be able to back up these claims, with many people learning that Macs, compared to Windows, are somewhat more secure. Not only this, but they are also a less valuable target for hackers.
However, it is essential to know that Macs, be that MacBooks, iMacs, Mac Pros and Mac Minis, are all vulnerable to being attacked by malware and developing viruses within their operating systems.
Macs come with built-in protection, don’t they?
Macs are indeed developed and designed to have in-built security systems in place. Not only this, but these systems are known to do a good job when it comes to keeping malware at arm’s length.
But, hackers and virtual criminals have become aware of this, which means that Macs have become a target for them, and it seems that the in-built protection isn’t enough to keep this more significant threat at bay.
So, do I need extra anti-virus?
The answer to this is simple. Yes, you do need an additional level of security for your Mac. Macs are not immune to both malware and viruses, and whilst attacks on Macs have been less than on other computers, they are on the rise.
This means that you need to take precautions for your Mac. Secure your device as best as you can, utilise the built-in features, and consider installing additional virus and malware protection software.
When you have this additional level of protection, you are giving yourself peace of mind that your Mac is safe and that your information is secure. It might mean that you have additional apps and software on your Mac and that you may need to pay out for the protection, but in the long run, to be able to protect yourself, it is going to be worth doing.