It's a long-standing question – can Macs get viruses? Most people think that only Windows computers can get viruses and malware, and believe that Mac computers are always in the safe place. Unfortunately, that is a misconception. Apple computers are certainly more secure than Windows computers, but MacBooks, Mac Minis, and iMacs are not immune to all computer viruses. Now you need to think about how likely it is to get a virus on a Mac. Well, read on to know how vulnerable Macs are to malware, signs that your Mac has a virus, whether your MacBook needs an antivirus, and how to protect your Apple computer from online threats. Without further ado, let's get started!
Are Macs really more secure?
Although Mac computers are comparatively less vulnerable than Windows computers, they can still get viruses. Apple's macOS is designed to fight viruses and malware, but there is plenty of sophisticated malware that can find its way onto Macs. Undoubtedly, Apple computers have become much more popular today, but they are still less widespread than Windows computers. Therefore, cybercriminals are more focused on creating malware for Windows machines. Now that Mac's share is increasing rapidly, cybercriminals are just as interested in Apple devices.
Although the Mac operating system offers strong built-in protections, they may not offer comprehensive protection, especially against the latest malware threats. So Mac computers are also vulnerable to various types of viruses and malware.
When thinking about how to protect your Mac from viruses, the first step is to know the types of computer viruses and malware that can affect Mac computers. Below are the most common types of Mac malware:
