Mac Security Essentials

By Thomas Løvaslokøy · Published June 1, 2026

The myth that "Macs don't get viruses" has cost a lot of people dearly. Macs are genuinely well-defended by design and by Apple's built-in protections, but they are not immune — and as their market share has grown, so has the malware and, especially, the scams aimed at their users. Sensible Mac security is about understanding what is already covered and where a little extra helps.

Apple's built-in protections are strong: Gatekeeper checks app signatures, XProtect screens for known malware, and the sandboxing model limits what apps can do. For many users practising good habits, this is a solid baseline. Where third-party tools add value is in targeted areas — dedicated Mac-focused suites such as Intego, built specifically for macOS, and cross-platform names like Bitdefender for those wanting features beyond the baseline, such as web filtering, scanning of files shared with Windows users, or a single dashboard across devices.

The bigger Mac risk today is rarely classic viruses — it is social engineering: fake "your Mac is infected" pop-ups, bogus support calls, and trojanised downloads from outside the App Store. No software fully substitutes for the habit of downloading only from trusted sources and distrusting urgent pop-ups.

Round out Mac security the same way as any platform: a password manager, two-factor authentication, and a VPN on untrusted networks. The principles in our best antivirus guide apply here too.

Trust the built-in baseline, add targeted tools if you want extras, and beware scams more than viruses. General guidance.