Is there a Need for Antivirus Software for MAC?

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If you never connect your Mac to the Internet, the answer is no. But if you do use the Internet and connect Mac to the Internet, then the answer is yes. Mostly everyone is online these days which means that majority of Mac users need to install Macintosh compatible antivirus software. Most Mac infections occur as a result of user behavior. A Mac infection usually requires some deliberate action.

There are real Mac viruses out there but whether you are vulnerable or not depends on the OS. But the term ‘virus’ is used much more loosely these days and in that context refers to malicious software in general.. As for malware , virus is strongly present out there! Spyware is a type of malicious software that monitors computer use. Depending on how over zealous the marketing is, the term spyware can refer to anything from being cookies to dangerous keyloggers. In general, spyware is a Web threat and as such Mac users are vulnerable.

Mac OS X applications are less prone to infections as they don’t share a common registry and they use individual preference files. Thus , the types of global configuration changes is simply not as feasible on a Mac. Further, root access is needed in order for malware to interact with other programs.

What about iPhones and iPods??

It’s a Yes for them too!!
When Apple introduced application support for the iPod touch and iPhone, they opened the door for malware that specifically targets these devices. Jailbroken devices are more susceptible than Apple-approved devices and there have been instances of malware for jailbroken iPhones. If you plan to jailbreak your iPhone, the heightened malware risk is something to consider.

Is there free antivirus for the Mac?

Mac antivirus software is in short supply and the options for free Mac virus scanners is even more limited. Still, there are a couple of free Mac antivirus software available.
Some vendors of Mac antivirus software focus more on what is known as “downstream protection”. Briefly, that’s designed to protect Windows users from Windows-based malware that is sent from a Mac user. Downstream protection means that the Macintosh antivirus scanner is scanning for Windows-based malware.

Few Mac Antivirus Softwares are listed below:

• Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
• ESET Antivirus for Mac
• Norton Security for Mac
• Kaspersky
• Sophos Antivirus for Mac
• Avira for Mac
• Avast for Mac

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