ant-virus for Apple mini mac

scousedave

Hello.
I'm buying my first apple Mac but unsure about virus protection.
Can anyone please advise as tried google and still unsure what I need.
Thank you

Double_V

I don't think you need anti-virus for Apple computer.

System

Hi
Just find and install any suitable free A/V that is offered.

99.9% of the time it will be redundant on an Apple, but malicious things can still be attached that you could suffer from, or pass along the foodchain.

mr_fishbulb

Many people still believe you don't need AV for Macs, but I guess not the people who write Mac World:

Bottom line: Despite what some analysts have argued, Macs are fundamentally safer from malware and other internet attacks than PCs. Architecturally Unix-based OS X is considered more difficult to crack than rival OS platforms, but a larger factor is the simple fact that (for reasons of market share and risk-reward calculations) less malware is written to target Macs. However, there are Mac viruses out there, and it would be a mistake to assume that your Mac is completely immune to attack.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/mac-antivirus-internet-security-software-malware-review-3523842/

Avast and Avira are both recommended as free AV protection for Macs on that link, being described as "decent" and "capable" respectively.

Yes there is a lower chance of a Mac getting infected, but despite what some people say, there isn't a zero chance.

viv0147

I used to be paranoid about getting a virus or malware of some kind but since I bought my Apple Mac 8 years ago it's been bliss! Peace just brilliant now can I suggest you use this site for any information and instruction you may need it's so informative it's my Mac bible ( TechTalkAmerica) it used to be call pcclassesonline enjoy your Mac

kwikbreaks

The biggest risk of picking up malware is doing something stupid yourself. With Mac having a smaller user base than Windows there are less viruses written for it to start with.

I don't bother with AV on my Android devices either although there are a few nasties out there.

I do run AV on Windows machines as there are driveby viruses where just visiting a hacked website can cause an infection.

On a Mac based tablet I seriously doubt anything is needed but could always be proved to be wrong.

Swipe

I've run all my macs without AV. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a virus infection pop up on any windows machine since the late 90s. As said above, getting infected is all about how you use the device. Go to unsafe sites or be liberal with what programs you install and you will get easily infected. I'd make sure you run a decent adblocker though.

zarf2007

Download the free sophos AV software for Mac, while not affected by windows viruses there are a few Mac specific malware programs out there and also you could inadvertently forward on a windows virus attached to word document or some such to someone it could infect.

https://secure2.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-edition/free-download.aspx