Hello all. Been a windows user for decades. Just purchased my first Mac, a mini M4 and am trying to find out about the best antivirus, VPN, etc…..for Mac.
I am seeing conflicting information about XProtect is all that is needed and must get an antivirus software. Nord VPN is great for Mac or Apple has a VPN?
Is there a trustworthy source to find these answers. Is MacWorld a good source?
Just working through the learning
Thanks everyone in advance for your replies
None. Apple builds malware protection into macOS and keeps it updated regularly.
• macOS security built right in. - Apple Support
• App Security Overview - Apple Support
• XProtect Explained: How Your Mac’s Built-in Anti-malware Software Works - How-To Geek
Third-party products just get in the way and cause problems.
None. Apple builds malware protection into macOS and keeps it updated regularly.
• macOS security built right in. - Apple Support
• App Security Overview - Apple Support
• XProtect Explained: How Your Mac’s Built-in Anti-malware Software Works - How-To Geek
Third-party products just get in the way and cause problems.
along with the resources posted by D.I. Johnson, you may also want to read Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community. it's a long article, but worth your time to read every word.
+2. None!!! Mac OS does not require or benefit from ANY of the following typings of third party apps:
These types of apps have the exact opposite effects users want, they make Mac OS slow, appear buggy, make Mac OS do unwanted actions that vary wildly, and in return offer NOTHING that Mac OS does not already do on its own.
In short, just leave Mac OS alone and enjoy your new Mac. By the way, welcome to the light side!
Windows 11 does pretty well with the built-in Microsoft Defender Antivirus, but you’re not on Windows any more, and carrying over assumptions from now-ancient Windows versions is just going to lead to frustration and problems on macOS, and that also holds on newer Windows too.
I mean, why would you add a second and weak and part-way wrapper around the existing and secure end-to-end connection tunnels, badly solving a problem which hasn’t existed in a decade or so, but badly solving it in a way that makes collecting personally-identified metadata trivial?
hcsitas wrote:
Hmm, looks like a badly phrased long and winded question that requires re-reading then head scratching, finally shrugging it off…
That (rhetorical) question would be a technical description of the implementation and “benefits” of the commercial “coffee shop” VPN.
Hmm, looks like a badly phrased long and winded question that requires re-reading then head scratching, finally shrugging it off…
…but got your point (in general), +1 for that and also the head scratch, have a nice day.
Is there a trustworthy source to find these answers. Is MacWorld a good source?
Any publication, website, "news" site, etc that accepts advertisement revenue is not a reliable source of factual information.
Apple Support Communities does not accept advertisements.
Anti-virus apps are unnecessary as others have told you but if you are really paranoid you could try the free version of Malwarebytes.
It's quite innocuous and I have used it over the years on several Macs with no ill-effects.
Mind you it has never "caught" any virus which goes to show how good Apple's built-in defences are.
You never "catch" a virus . . . you have to deliberately download or install it, so don't click on any unidentified links etc.
I’m cool with rhetorical questions when I’m wearing headphones and sunglasses 😎
Antivirus for Mac mini M4?
