Do Macs Need an Antivirus or Malware Software?

Most malware manufacturers target windows computers as they will significantly impact the user. Windows having covered approximately 76% of the market makes them a prime target for malware manufacturers. With more and more people switching to Macs, the attack rate has increased. However, Apple has put in a lot of effort to make sure the Mac OS is secure and free from malware. The Mac OS is a very secure operating system with many built-in security features. These features make it harder for malware to get into the system, but they are not foolproof. The security features are not as strong as those on windows, so malware can still get through. The best way to protect your computer from any malware or virus is by using an antivirus or antimalware program on your computer. The program will scan your computer for any malicious software and remove it if found. It will also protect you from any new threats that may emerge in the future, keeping you safe online and offline

Mac computers are generally more expensive than their PC counterparts. For instance, MacBook Pro with a retina display costs about $1,300. By contrast, you can get a Windows laptop with similar specifications for less than $600. Therefore, the data means that most people acquiring mac computers are wealthier than the average PC user. The aspect of being wealthy makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals.

Hackers think they can easily make money by infecting users’ computers and demanding ransom money from them to unlock their devices or data. For instance, between January and June 2015, hackers infected over 70,000 Apple devices in China using malware known as ‘XcodeGhost’. They then demanded payment in return for unlocking the infected devices or providing information about how to remove the malware from their computers.

However, there is another side to this story. The higher prices associated with Mac computers also mean that most people using Macs have more disposable income than those using PCs. Thus, it follows that they would be willing to pay more if their computer gets infected by a virus or other malware, due to which they might lose valuable data stored on it or experience downtime while using it. Luckily there is always a way to clean and fix your Apple Mac.

Malware attackers were previously relying on existing malware to develop new viruses. However, the case has changed. It is now much easier to develop new viruses. Today, we see the development of new viruses within a few days of their occurrence. The speedy development is because of the availability of the source code (malware) on the Internet. Malware authors have used this source code and modified it to develop a new virus. As a result, they can quickly develop malware for mac computers. Hence, Macs need an antivirus that can help secure the system from various malware attacks.