There is an opinion that Mac users The OS is not afraid of any malware and there is no need for an antivirus on a Mac. In part, it has a logical basis, because for every 10 Macintosh owners there are about a hundred PC owners, and in Russia even fewer. That is, it is much more profitable for hackers to create viruses for the Windows system than to bother the owners of Apple products.

Therefore, for information, it is generally accepted that a virus is malware that has the ability to replicate and spread using an application: it is the launch of an application that allows it to be copied and distributed. On the other hand, a worm spreads "offline" even if the application can serve " channel."

What is a Trojan horse?

On the other hand, as mentioned above, there are other types malware, such as Trojans, which are not that rare and can pose a real risk. Trojan horses get their name from Greek mythology, in which the city of Troy was invaded by soldiers hidden in a giant wooden horse. A computer Trojan is a legitimate looking program, sometimes even intended to keep you safe, but containing code designed to perform actions without your knowledge.

On the other hand, the fact of the existence of “worms” that change the properties of Apple operating systems was established more than 30 years ago. And although their numbers remain relatively low, attackers are increasingly targeting Mac computers. This raises the question: “Do people using equipment from Steve Jobs’ company need an antivirus on Mac?”

But the risk is not limited to buying unnecessary software: Fraud using bank information was also When the criminals were arrested. This time the disguise is no longer a file. This will identify the hidden application. This is what we sometimes read, on forums in particular, but it is not true.

Do you really want to open it? But this sentence can be largely confusing if you don't read. But even if it has the merits of the existing one, it is still a very basic security feature. Additionally, it is important to note that the quarantine feature only works for downloads. For any other application, or if you are copying files from external media, they will leave the control. If you are not 100% sure of the “cleanliness” of external media, it is always wise to scan with a good antivirus.

Official position

Apple management has argued and continues to argue that Macintosh owners should not be afraid of viruses. On the company's official website you can find only cautious hints about the presence of weaknesses in its system. Representatives of this corporation believe that to protect their computer from viruses it is enough:

1. Update Mac OS X regularly;
2. Ignore suspicious sites;
3. Do not download programs of unknown origin;
4. Select the correct operating system security settings.

Precedents

Until 2011, Macintosh owners felt absolutely safe. Incidents involving computers infected by Apple were so rare that they were practically ignored. However, in the 2010s, the situation began to change. The first alarming signal for fans of the Apple brand was the appearance of a web worm called MacDefender.

For those interested, this list of definitions is in the file. If you try to open one of the files listed in this list, you will receive a message like. Please be aware that some applications, especially but not limited to peer-to-peer applications, may not support quarantine functionality. Perhaps test the application by downloading a secure source file. If you don't receive a warning that the file is coming from an online download, then the app you used to download it doesn't support quarantine features.

This program created pop-up windows that informed users that their equipment was infected. She also informed Mac OS owners about the existence of a universal application that could “clean up their computer.” Its downloading led to very disastrous results - the malware received information about the victims’ credit cards and transferred it to third parties. According to the most conservative estimates, 20-30 thousand people have suffered from this virus.

Unfortunately, we had to change our minds. Very few are efficient, easy to use and resource intensive. So does he need an antivirus or not? What is the default protection level? We all know people who have had unprotected poppies for years without any obvious problems.

Another alarming phenomenon, the number of phishing attempts is increasing and this is what scares me the most. Those who fill out these false forms do not realize that their data is being extracted by a “pirate” who will try to get as much money as possible. Even if no French-speaking country is included in the list of most targeted countries, one must take into account the fact that this phenomenon is greatly increasing.

In 2012, two powerful Trojans were created at once - SabPub and Flashback. These malware infected the computers of users who used Java programs and visited infected sites. Having penetrated a Macintosh device, they took control of it, initiating file downloads, visiting websites and carrying out various operations without the user’s knowledge. Between 500 and 700 thousand people became victims of these Trojans.

For non-professional use at home, the risk - although well present - is minimal and there is no need to install an antivirus. Finally, for those who like free software or want zero risk, antivirus is the solution. This is to measure which antivirus affected the least CPU resources.

The ability to recognize known threats was also tested. It is still working to date and has not yet fallen victim to malware. In my opinion, this is a simplification of a rather complex problem. Indeed, as in any computer system, there are flaws in nature: although they are basically Trojans and require the user to install them incorrectly, it is good to be aware of this threat.

In subsequent years, the process of creating web worms not only did not stop, but also gained new momentum. From 2010 to 2014, 180 malicious programs for Mac OS X were identified. Well, in 2015, the number of detected viruses created for this operating system exceeded 9 hundred.

But this is still more than 182 times less than infection precedents under the Windows operating system. And most of these Trojans used methods social engineering, and not real holes in the system. Therefore, if you remain vigilant, it is very unlikely that you will get a virus on your Mac.

It's also worth noting that the end user is always the weakest link. Simply put, because all the data points to it. Why is it worth studying? It all depends on your type of use and how you search online!

Having a good password, we are not afraid of anything

This is an approach that may not be necessary, but if you have a lot to lose, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. My presentation. This gives you the latest and most secure version at all times. And if the application has any problems, it can be removed with great reactivity. Initial encryption is fast and discreet. The most secure passwords include a large number of characters, use lowercase and uppercase letters, punctuation marks and numbers. Sometimes it gets tiring to create another strong password for each site.

Today, the most popular antiviruses among Macintosh owners are the following programs:

• Kaspersky Security
• Norton AntiVirus 12
• Dr. Web
• Avast
• Bitdefender Antivirus
• ESET NOD32 Cyber ​​Security
• Avira

Some of them can be downloaded for free, while others cost a lot of money. In general, each of the above programs enhances your computer's protection while reducing its performance.

Sandboxing, a technology that isolates malicious code

It can also automatically fill in your credit card information when you make online purchases.

Scam sites didn't thank him

Obviously, harmless files downloaded from the Internet can hide malware. It's up to you whether you want to open it or not. Here are some possible preventive actions. You are confident that your print is unique. Set up secure file sharing. . Unfortunately, the growth of the Cupertino firm is what it is, and it is no longer the case. The threats are now also real to their exploitation system.

Alternative Mac OS Security

Owners of Apple computers can significantly increase the protection of their device by using:

1. Firewall - running this application will protect your Macintosh from most threats;
2. Gatekeeper this setting regulates the launch of all programs downloaded from the Internet. It can be found on the “General” tab, in the “Protection and Security” section;
3. Standard user account - use of the computer in this mode minimizes the consequences of possible Trojan infection;
4. Administrator password – by confirming all important operations with a set of characters, the computer owner strengthens control over the processes occurring in his device.

And other Mac OS services.

With this in mind, publishers are beginning to rethink their strategies. In fact, you will have 6 analysis modes. Also consider installing an internet browser extension that allows you to display the confidence level of websites you visit. A virus is software developed by man for malicious use. To do this, the virus must enter your computer and install it on its own.

You believe that the site is valid and safe when it is not. Consider installing an antivirus if you surf the Internet or exchange files, it's a matter of common sense. And, of course, always pay attention to the origin of the files and emails, which you open, as a rule, are never opened by simple curiosity.

Summing up

The era of absolute security in the Apple world has long come to an end. However, Macintosh computers have much better security systems than standard PCs. Therefore, people who download files only from App Store and do not visit dubious sites, they can sleep peacefully. Everyone else is recommended to install a proven antivirus on their Mac or, according to at least, make careful adjustments protective systems Mac OS.

Technology evolves quickly, just like viruses, and cybercriminals follow everything closely. Do not doubt! Some devices that are more susceptible to attack have extensive protection available through local protection and private line.

This means that you will need your router's administrator credentials to access its settings. Our list of unsupported routers. Your message is encrypted and scanned to block threats. Local protection is available for devices that are more likely to be attacked by malware or other types of attacks. Local protection blocks malware on your devices, detects suspicious apps and services, and protects your files against unauthorized access and tampering.

Viruses are a very big threat to computers, including Macs. Do you need to install an antivirus on your Mac to stay protected?

This is the question we get asked most often. With the popularity of Mac computers on the rise and security stories making headlines. Mac owners are increasingly concerned about security.

Make a good password

All devices will be protected regardless of their operating system. Available full list identified incompatible routers. The most secure passwords are long and contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, punctuation marks and numbers. If an application is tampered with dangerous software, the sandbox will automatically block it to protect your computer and your information. The address space layout ranking feature changes the memory zones in which different parts of the application are stored.

Mac is not a computer on which you can become infected with a virus like Windows. But this does not mean that you are in complete safety. Mac computers can become infected with a virus only when users start installing unauthorized applications from the Internet.

Anti-Phishing protects you from fraudulent websites

This technique makes it unlikely that an attacker will be able to find and rearrange parts of the application to tamper with it and turn it into a malicious program. Phishing is a type of online scam. Even the most innocent files downloaded from the Internet can contain harmful malware.

At this point, you make a message on the computer screen, so anyone who finds it will know how to get it back. Here are just a few of the recommended operations. Install secure general access to files. . How many times have you heard this statement? Fresh off the heels of last week's discovery, it's worth finding out what type of malware is that encrypts files on your computer and asks for a Bitcoin ransom to release a key that will make them readable.

BitDefender is one of the commercial antivirus programs that work on Mac. There are other options, such as Intego Mac Internet Security or Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac.

But you can get protection for your Mac without spending a lot of money. For example free application CalmXav (which asks you to donate if you think it does its job well) also removes viruses from your computer. There is also a free antivirus called AdwareMedic, which will also ask you for donations, just like ClamXav. To avoid infecting your computer with a virus, we recommend downloading applications from trusted sources such as the Mac App Store.

It's pretty much an experience, for sure. There were other situations that helped undermine the myth of a secure platform, for example, but it did not pave the way for any mass infection. In short, more users are more interested in malware developers.

They do not exploit system vulnerabilities, as well as those of other connected systems, or point out the real weakness of the IT network: the user. That's why, even before an antivirus program, they need simple and general considerations to avoid - or deal with the cause of - the most risky operations.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your Mac’s security system (Gatekeeper) is turned on. This will reduce the chances of running unauthorized applications that cause the most problems.

So do you need an antivirus on Mac?

It depends on how you use your computer. For those people who rely on Gatekeeper and download applications from the Mac App Store, antivirus is not needed. But if you download applications from an unknown source and then see that your computer behaves strangely and opens some third-party sites. Then you should think about safety.

The first tip is simple: always think twice before entering the administrator password when the computer asks you. If you are installing the software from a safe source there will be no problem, otherwise you are trying to figure out which process is requesting it. And if the previous sentence is not immediately clear, then you should avoid inserting it. Likewise, it's always a good idea to not install apps without digital signature accredited developer.

Finally, if you're torrenting, do it even more. So what's the answer to the old question? The answer is yes, but only if it is assumed that computer security is always a relative concept. So the platform may be more secure based on the likelihood of infection, but it will never be 100 percent secure.

As the proverb says, forewarned is forearmed.

Many users are confident that Mac OS is the most reliable system on the planet, and it does not need any anti-virus utilities. Indeed, it is quite difficult to damage Apple's OS, but, unfortunately, it is possible. The number of virus programs written for Mac is not so large, but they exist. Let’s look in more detail at how to protect your PC and which “defender” is best to use.

Antivirus increases the security of the operating system and all files

Antivirus for Mac can be paid or freely available. Here is a list of the most popular free options:

• Avast;
• Avira;
• ClamXav;
• Sophos;
• Comodo.

Comodo

Before us great tool to protect your PC from virus applications and programs. The product is free, it ensures OS security in real time, scanning all components that take part in operation. For complete protection, the frequency of updates is important, because hackers are constantly improving their software. Fortunately, Comodo developers provide regular patches, thanks to which the utility does not miss suspicious files. You can get an antivirus for Mac completely free; the program works with OS version 10.6 and higher.

Avira

An equally well-known anti-virus development, first presented for Windows. Using the utility, you can check both the entire system and a specific folder or file. Avira has a user-friendly interface; it scans in shadow mode, so the chances of missing a virus file are extremely low. The program is distinguished by the automation of all processes. No need to waste time on configuration and management. The earliest OS version Avira works with is OS X 10.6.

Sophos

Another free app designed to catch and eliminate malicious files on Mac. The test can be started by pressing one key. Sophos allows you to personalize your settings and configure them to suit your needs. The utility checks the security of background, for high-quality monitoring it must be turned on constantly.

ClamXav

A free, effective and simple product for your PC - this is exactly what its developers say about this program. Even a schoolchild can understand the settings, because the antivirus is clear and very convenient appearance.

According to experts, the utility does not occupy a leading position among modern security products, but it does an excellent job of finding and destroying malicious files.

Avast

This is a well-deserved leader among similar programs for Mac. The product was originally developed for Windows, but today there are versions for all popular operating systems in the world. A special feature of the utility is a two-level verification system. The first searches for viruses in the system and, if any, removes them completely. The main task of the second level of verification is to ensure user safety when using networks.

The product is compatible with OS version 10.5 and higher. What makes it so famous is its simple appearance. The program also includes a special WebRep component, which is used to check the security of Internet resources. The plugin runs in conjunction with browsers, integrating in auto order. All files that the user works with are scanned by Avast, and in case of risk they will protect your computer.

Kaspersky

Everyone knows about this giant among antiviruses. The program is supported on different systems, and OS X is no exception. Now the utility, developed by Russian specialists, can be downloaded by paying for a special license. The free period of use is 1 month.

Among the main advantages of the antivirus are the following:

• management of protection of the whole family (present parental control);
• excellent set of protective capabilities;
• safety of savings in World Wide Web(protection in electronic money systems, reliable Internet banking, payments in online stores);
• communication protection and confidentiality;
• protecting children on the Internet.

The tool is not a “pure” antivirus; it is a combination of three components: parental controls, web antivirus and a component that searches for virus files. Kaspersky is able to quickly scan your hard drive for threats, monitor traffic and notify you of possible danger.

The program is equipped with many different options and settings - the user is given the opportunity to select resources global network, which can be accessed by all family members. Restrictions are placed on pornographic content and other harmful information. When you go to such a resource, the utility will block access to it. Using Kaspersky, you can also configure the time you spend on the Internet and access to social networks.

Results

Despite the fact that Mac OS positions itself as the most secure system, and there are not many viruses for it, there are a large number of antivirus programs developed for it. Users are provided with options with free and paid licenses. According to experts, Kaspersky is considered the most complete and effective antivirus software. If we think about free options, then these are Avast, Avira and Comodo.

The main evaluation criteria, which included 200 indicators, were:

virus protection;

Ease of use;

influence on the speed of the computer.

Virus protection is the most important evaluation criterion: indicators within this group of parameters accounted for 65% of the overall antivirus rating. Ease of use and impact on computer speed accounted for 25% and 10% of the overall score, respectively.

How we tested

Testing was carried out over six months. A total of four groups of virus protection tests were carried out - general online protection test, offline test, false positive test and scanning test. To a lesser extent, the final rating was influenced by checking the ease of use of the antivirus and its effect on the speed of the computer.

General protection

Each anti-virus package was tested online against a set of viruses, totaling more than 40,000. It was also checked how well the anti-virus copes with phishing - the substitution of official resources for attacker sites in order to gain access to confidential user data. A test was carried out for protection against ransomware, which restricts access to a computer and data on it for the purpose of ransom. In addition, an online test of a USB drive containing malware is carried out. It is needed to find out how well the antivirus copes with finding and eliminating viruses when neither the presence of malicious files nor their origin is known in advance.

USB offline test

Detection of malware located on a USB drive connected to a computer. Before the scan, the computer was disconnected from the Internet for several weeks so that the anti-virus packages were not 100% up-to-date.

False alarm

We tested how effectively the antivirus identifies real threats and skips files that are actually safe, but are included in the database as a potential threat.

Scan test

We checked how effectively the scanning function works when automatic check computer for the presence of malware and when launched manually. The study also tested whether scans could be scheduled for certain time when the computer is not in use.

Antiviruses for macOS are already a necessity

Unlike computers running Windows operating systems, until recently the demand for antivirus protection for Mac there was practically none. Apple's operating system is not so widely used, so it seems less attractive to attackers.

Currently, there are about 12% of computer users running macOS, and experts note that an increase in threats to them has already begun and will only increase in the future. Thus, in 2016, the first ransomware virus was registered, which was able to successfully infect Apple computers.

Apple's security comes with several built-in features.

Gatekeeper - prevents you from installing anything other than Apple-approved software.

FileVault – Protects files by encrypting your Mac so only authorized users can use it.

Sandbox – prevents the virus from penetrating system components in case of infection of individual applications or files.

The main function of all antiviruses for computers running macOS is protection against the penetration of malicious programs from external drives: flash drives, phones, hard drives etc. Apple computers are the least protected from these threats.

Unlike Windows defenders, free Mac antiviruses are not always good at providing sufficient protection against threats. So far in this segment paid packages remain the best solution.

Our rating included 10 antiviruses designed for Mac. Built-in virus protection, which comes by default, was ranked at the bottom of the overall ranking of antivirus and security programs for Mac. It scored 1.5 points, so we didn’t even include it in the comparison table - you definitely shouldn’t rely on it alone.

The basic antivirus for macOS showed unsatisfactory results in two main groups of parameters, which together account for 90% of the final score. In fact, the built-in antivirus actually failed to cope with protection against malware – it received 1.09 points out of a possible 5. Ease of use was slightly better - 1.77 points, but this is still a very low score.

The free Avira antivirus deserves a special comment Free Antivirus for Mac. In the summary table of the rating, not a single item was noted in the features of this antivirus, but this package does not occupy the last line of the rating. The fact is that, according to the test results and declared capabilities, this product is intended to test the system and separate files detects the presence of malware and prevents the penetration of viruses from external media. Avira Free does it in automatic mode and does the job well, but if the user requires something more, it might be worth looking at other products.

Among users of the Mac OS operating system, there are many opinions on the question of whether owners of this “OS” should use antivirus software or not. In this article, we will try to sort out this issue and find free and shareware antivirus options for those who are not ready to risk the uninterrupted operation of their gadget.

Manufacturers of Apple technology assure users that they have nothing to fear. This confirms the fact that it is most widespread among users Windows systems, which is subject to millions of attacks every year. It would seem illogical for hackers to get involved with the Mac because users of this OS are now in the minority.

And until 2010, users of this “OS” really had nothing to worry about. But over the years, the situation has changed: hacker attacks on Apple gadgets are no longer news.

Here are some frightening statistics: in 2011, about 30 thousand people suffered from viruses, and in 2012 – 500 – 700 thousand. In 2015, more than 180 malicious programs were recorded, and in 2016 there were more than 9,000 of them. Then both Apple manufacturers and users themselves began to think about protection against unauthorized attacks.

Downloading an antivirus for Mac OS for free is not difficult. If a user wants to save money, he should pay attention to the following solutions:

• Kaspersky Security;
• Norton antivirus;
• Doctor Web;
• Avast;
• Eset node 32;

Free antivirus for mac os x from Kaspersky allows the user not to worry about viruses entering the system. This program can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s official website for a month or six months.

Norton assumes free use by the user for 180 days, during which functionality will not be limited.

Dr. Web provides users with the opportunity to download utilities with current virus database updates and scan their device. It’s especially pleasing that these utilities can work even with banners blocking the screen. You can download a full version of the antivirus and then purchase it.

Avast is a full-fledged antivirus software, with the ability to install it for a year for free. In it you can select several levels of system verification - from superficial to deep.

Eset nod 32– another successful solution for the modern user. You can use it for a month, after which the manufacturer offers to buy it full version.

Owners of Apple gadgets should also use:

• firewall;
• account ordinary user;
• gadget administrator passwords.

Whether you need an antivirus for Mac OS is up to you to decide.

Apple gadgets definitely have higher reliability and protection against malware.

But you need to consider the possibility of your device becoming infected with viruses. You can always protect yourself from this - there are many solutions to this problem.

When Macs were not considered popular computers, antiviruses for them were not talked about among the masses. But today in my personal messages in in social networks questions are pouring in about this. I decided, I express it Subjective opinion.

I am writing this text on MacBook Pro 2015, and before that I used an old MacBook Pro without a Retina screen. There are no antiviruses installed on the hard drive of this computer. But we visited the last one. I gave up on such software two years ago.

Protect your computer with macOS

Today, Apple offers two ways to install applications on macOS: using the Mac App Store and downloading the distribution of a game or program from the Internet. On iOS, the situation has been different since birth - the company left only one App Store.

Apple software distribution sites employ painstaking moderators who do not allow malicious code to pass through using automatic and manual testing. And therefore there are no and will not be viruses on iOS.

If you download software on your Mac from the App Store, don't worry. You won't get malicious software here. But there is no row in the app store useful programs, so you won’t be able to get by with this platform alone.

To avoid viruses, do not download programs from sources you are not sure about. Let me explain, all applications that were not downloaded from the website of a popular developer are questionable. be careful.

When you confirm your intention to run a program from a third-party source, you accept the risk of infecting your computer with a virus. But this applies mostly to fans pirated assemblies- Be on special alert with them.

Try these popular antiviruses

Mac users with ten years of experience claim that macOS does not and never has had viruses. But this opinion is wrong. And today we regularly write about them on the pages website. If you don’t want to fool your head with them, install an antivirus.

BitDefender (up to €35 per year) - today fans of antiviruses on macOS recommend this solution. It works in the background and does not disturb the user - it detects malicious software and removes it.

Intego Mac Internet Security (up to €80 per year) - antivirus software package includes a shield for malware and phishing. Advantage - special a set for protecting macOS and Windows via Boot Camp in pairs.

Kaspersky (up to €40 per year) is the most popular antivirus for macOS and Windows in the post-Soviet space. Use it to add virus protection to your Mac. But the main thing is to prohibit the covert activation of a surveillance camera.

Malwarebytes (up to €98 per year) - one, two, three, and so on, Western journalists claim that Apple employees use this antivirus. They install a Mac cleaning program when contacting the office. Services.

Determine whether your Mac is infected with viruses

I've never experienced a slowdown on my Mac under normal use conditions. If I load with software - yes. Otherwise - no. If you encounter something like this, you have caught a virus. Pay attention to the programs above or run to a specialist.

Some viruses are created not to harm, but to make money. These advertise in places on macOS that are not intended for this - suspicious windows on top of everything, intrusive offers on YouTube and websites.

An indicator that your Mac is infected with viruses will be your friends on social networks, instant messengers, and e-mail. If they ask about strange messages that come from your mailbox, there is a “worm” in the “apple”.

Applications affected by malicious code take longer to open. Often they are tied to browsers - tools for working with the network, shopping, and so on. Noticed something was wrong - sound the alarm.

But there are viruses that are smarter than users. They sit in the depths of the OS and do the menial work of collecting information and so on. No special You won’t realize that your computer is infected and will continue to lose data.

Experience life on macOS without antivirus

As the Mac becomes more popular, so does the number of malicious software. But today it cannot be compared with the amount of such software on Windows, which is still out of reach for macOS.

And yes, viruses have been created for Mac. But picking up at least one in everyday life is not an easy task. They live on resources that ordinary users do not visit, and advanced ones bypass.

Over the past two years, thousands of programs have been on a personal MacBook, which were used to solve highly specialized problems, create scenarios for solving OS problems, and reviews.

They were installed from anywhere - official websites, dubious forums and torrent trackers. Problems did not appear even without antiviruses. The only thing I do is backup copy once a month just in case. All.

I advise you not to fool around with antivirus software, but to turn it on when installing programs and games. If the source is Mac App Store - no problem. If another - think about reliability. And may there never be “worms” in your apples.