Recent recommendations for antivirus software for Mac?

Your Mac requires no third-party anti-virus or anti-malware software.

Apple has built these protections into macOS and they are updated regularly.  The occasional scan with an “as needed” app like Malwarebytes is likely all you will need. Always-on anti-virus applications often interfere with the performance and operation of macOS and are not recommended. Though you might want to download an up to date version.

• macOS security built right in. - Apple Support   

• App Security Overview - Apple Support

Here's my 2¢ worth on the subject:

First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  

There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   

Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.

There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  

Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they provide false security from a privacy standpoint.  Read these two articles: Public VPN's are anything but private and Security Risks: The Dangers of Using Free VPNs (eccu.edu).  

There are ZERO viruses for Mac OS, what news. you have been paying attention to are myths!

In order to keep your Mac secure, fast and as Apple designed it to run first NEVER EVER install any of the following t types of third party apps:

• Antivirus
• Security
• VPN
• Cleaning
• Maintenance

To keep Mac OS secure and quick, simply keep Mac OS up-to-date and restart the computer about 1x per week. Other than that please simply enjoy it.

Third party Virus software, No!

If it makes you feel better, update Malwarebytes and run it once a week.

The best AntiVirus is right between your ears. Malware is a broad category that just means MALicious softWARE, and many would include Facebook in that category for the amount of data it gathers from their users and sells to advertisers. Review the information provided here:

Effective defenses against malware and ot… - Apple Community

For emails/messages, NEVER call a number or click a link and give any personal information. That is the most prominent way users accounts become compromised. There is not a third party piece of software installed that is going to prevent that from happening.

Macs are not immune to viruses but macOS has great built in anti virus protection. Malwarebytes is a good addition tho

Your welcome.

👍

Hi,

I think third party Antivirus softwares are the Virus for Macs.