How do I protect against phishing attacks on Apple devices?

TheTrout_Man wrote:

I was recently exposed to a phishing event. Should I get a software solution for protection?

There are vendors that claim to offer “solutions” for that, but buying an app or a box that won’t actually solve a problem has a long history in computing.

These scams well predate computing too, with snake oil sellers, and many other scammers and their scams.

Your computing defenses here include enabling two-factor authentication, and particularly learning that every call and every text message you get from everyone including from people you know can be phishing.

I routinely get phishing messages purportedly from folks I know, thanks to breaches of a mail service I was using. Among other attempts, one scammer was pretending to be a friend of mine. That one was obvious though, as my friend had died. Another scammer’s attempts purportedly from a non-technical relative included sketchy links. Links that that relative would have had no familiarity with and no use for.

Calls from your manager or CEO looking for gift cards, folks seeking password resets, frantic calls from “relatives” “jailed” or “kidnapped” or “in the hospital” or whatever, bogus bills, and somebody purporting to have some “romantic interest” can well be a pig-butchering scam, and myriad other scams.

There is exactly no app for that.

Nor can there be.

There are scammers offering apps and boxes claiming to prevent scams and social engineering, of course.

Be skeptical.

Never ever install any of the following types of third party apps on any Mac.

• Antivirus
• Cleaning
• Security
• VPN
• Maintenance

To keep you Mac free from phishing attacks your primary tool is yourself! However a quick search found the following advice you can use:

"Phishing attacks targeting macOS users are becoming more sophisticated, using fake security warnings and compromised websites to trick users into revealing their Apple ID credentials. These attacks often mimic Apple's branding and can appear as system alerts or virus warnings.If you suspect you've been targeted, report suspicious emails to reportphishing@apple.com, change your Apple ID password, and be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal information. 

Understanding the Threat:

• Fake Security Warnings:
• Phishing attacks on Macs can manifest as fake system alerts or virus warnings that appear while browsing the web. 
• Impersonation:
• These warnings often mimic Apple's branding and try to create a sense of urgency to prompt users to enter their Apple ID credentials. 
• Compromised Websites:
• Attackers may redirect users through compromised domain parking pages or fake websites designed to look like legitimate Apple services. 
• Targeting Apple ID:
• The primary goal of these attacks is to steal Apple ID credentials, potentially gaining access to iCloud accounts, including stored files, backups, and more.

Protecting Yourself:

• Be Skeptical of Alerts:
• Be cautious of any unsolicited messages or alerts, especially those demanding immediate action or personal information. 
• Verify URLs:
• Always double-check the website address before entering any information. Look for misspellings or unusual characters. 
• Report Suspicious Emails:
• If you receive a suspicious email, forward it to reportphishing@apple.com, according to Apple Support. 
• Change Your Password:
• If you suspect you've entered your Apple ID on a scam website, immediately change your password, says Apple Support. 
• Use Strong Passwords:
• Create strong, unique passwords for your Apple ID and other online accounts. 
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication:
• This adds an extra layer of security to your Apple ID. 
• Keep Your Software Updated:
• Regularly update your macOS and other software to ensure you have the latest security patches. 
• Be Mindful of Social Engineering:
• Be aware of social engineering tactics that attackers use to manipulate users into revealing information. 

In addition to the great guidance provided by the others here...

For more info, please see these support documents:

• Effective Defenses Against Malware - Apple Community

• Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts…and other scams - Apple Support

Phishing exists principally due to the security strength of the current technical systems.

A phishing attack is also known as social engineering.

The weakness isn’t technical … it’s the human.

These packages of what can most charitably be described snake-oil, do little or nothing to reduce the weaknesses inherent in the human.