Antivirus for Mac: It's Time

For years, Mac owners have laughed at the frantic efforts of their PC neighbors to fend off attack by viruses, Trojans, rootkits, and other malware. Given that PCs are a vastly greater segment of the market, it's cost-effective for the bad guys to concentrate on PC attacks. And yes, it's true that Apple's operating system is tougher to crack than Windows. But the days of Mac complacency may be ending. First, some threats are completely platform-independent. If a phishing email can fool you into entering your credit card data on a fraudulent site, it doesn't matter if you're running Windows, Mac OS, Linux, or DR-DOS. You're hosed.

In addition, some of the bad guys have ventured into the Mac realm, creating Mac-specific attacks like the recent MAC Defender. Delivered via poisoned search engine results, this bogus application claims to protect users, but actually harms them. It opens porn Web pages at intervals and convinces gullible users that they're infected. Naturally the only "cure" is to register MAC Defender.

In addition, some Macs run Windows as well as Mac OS X, a volatile combination. A Mac running Windows is vulnerable to the innumerable Windows-based attacks already swarming the Web.

We haven't yet observed any true surge in viruses, Trojans, or other active malware targeting the Mac, but it couldn't hurt to be prepared. Many of the major security vendors offer Mac products; some offer combined protection for Mac OS X and Windows running on the Mac. And a few will scan the URLs you visit to help fend off phishing attacks.

You don't even have to pay for Mac antivirus protection. Sophos offers a fully functional home edition of its Mac antivirus for free. If you'd rather go with a different vendor, or if you need features Sophos doesn't offer, consider one of the choices from the chart below. [Products from Intego and ESET were initially omitted from the chart in error. -Ed.]

For more, also see PCMag's 10 Mac Security Tips.

Mac Antimalware

About Our Expert

Neil J. Rubenking

Principal Writer, Security

My Experience

When the IBM PC was new, I served as the president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years. That’s how I met PCMag’s editorial team, who brought me on board in 1986. In the years since that fateful meeting, I’ve become PCMag’s expert on security, privacy, and identity protection, putting antivirus tools, security suites, and all kinds of security software through their paces.

Before my current security gig, I supplied PCMag readers with tips and solutions on using popular applications, operating systems, and programming languages in my "User to User" and "Ask Neil" columns, which began in 1990 and ran for almost 20 years. Along the way, I wrote more than 40 utility articles, as well as Delphi Programming for Dummies and six other books covering DOS, Windows, and programming. I also reviewed thousands of products of all kinds, ranging from early Sierra Online adventure games to AOL’s precursor Q-Link.

In the early 2000s, I turned my focus to security and the growing antivirus industry. After years of working with antivirus, I’m known throughout the security industry as an expert on evaluating antivirus tools. I serve as an advisory board member for the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO), an international nonprofit group dedicated to coordinating and improving testing of anti-malware solutions.

The Technology I Use

Much of the testing I do, particularly testing with real-world ransomware, is just plain dangerous. To perform such tests safely, I sequester them inside virtual machines managed by VMWare Workstation. For cross-platform testing, I use a MacBook Air, a Google Pixel 4, and a 6th-generation iPad.

I rely on my Delphi coding skills to create and maintain small applications. These include programs to check whether an antivirus correctly handled the malware it detected, launch dangerous URLs and record the security program’s reaction, and analyze the malware that I collect for use in testing. I also wrote a tiny browser and text editor for use in testing security apps that have predefined reactions for known products.

I do my writing and research on a Dell OptiPlex desktop, relying on Microsoft Word (my fingers know all the shortcuts). Many of my articles include charts and analysis; Excel is my go-to for those. When work hours end, though, I escape the bounds of Microsoft and Windows. There’s an iPhone in my pocket, I relax with my oversized iPad, and my Kindle Oasis is always loaded with the best science fiction and fantasy.

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