The feature is constantly updated with the latest malware signatures.

Thats unsurprising since Apple used to heavily advertised its core product as virus-free.

But the company dropped the we dont get viruses argument back in 2012.

Antivirus Mac Computers Do

That was an acknowledge on the companys part that yes, Mac computers do get viruses, and yes, you need need to get an antivirus tool for your macOS computer.

Nevertheless, Apple Macs are still vulnerable to some viruses and other malware, and its a growing problem.

The number of malicious programs targeted Mac computers increased by 50 in Q1 2020 compared to 2019.

Hackers are starting to shift their sights on Mac computers, often because Mac users tend to shirk AV tools.

Antivirus Software Can Serve

Following best practices for securing your device and using built-in security features can help, but antivirus software can serve to protect your device even further.

Although Macs appear to be secure, theres nothing to stop criminals targeting the software.

But just because the risk is lower than with a Windows PC doesnt mean theres no risk at all.

Plus, the risk is amplified if youre a business that runs multiple Mac computers.

Part of the allure of attacking Windows PCs is that the impact is so huge, with Windows having around 77 percent of the market share.

But Macs rise in popularity certainly makes it a juicier target for attackers than in years gone by.

With Macs being a lot more expensive to purchase than Windows PCs, it follows that Mac users will typically be wealthier.

As such, they are attractive targets for criminals, especially those looking to steal personal data, including financial information.

The latest versions of the Windows operating system are more secure than ever before, closing the gap, and making them more difficult targets.

It would be less surprising to see malicious hackers turn their efforts towards Macs.

This built-in detection feature is a nice-to-have, but with more threats, theres an increased likelihood that new malware could find its way onto your system before Apple updates its databases.

These are referred to as zero-day threats, and are reason enough to consider installing some security software.

For example, if someone tricks you into escalating admin privileges to install malware, its already too late for an antivirus to save you.

Human error doesnt distinguish between operating systems and Mac users can fall prey to scams just as easily as PC users can.

This is one of the reasons Mac has remained relatively secure.

Mac also provides built-in security measures to help combat malware, including the following.

Install Antivirus For Mac