Very simply, malware is a catch-all term for any type of malicious software that can affect your computer, regardless of how it works or where it came from. But what’s the difference between viruses and malware? The answer to “can Macs get malware?”, and “can Macs get viruses?” is a resounding yes. Read more about the in-built security on Apple Macs. The advice from Apple is clear – avoid any third-party apps (those not found in the Mac App Store) if you want to stay virus-free. However, that does not make Macs immune from Malware as hackers are constantly updating their attacks to try to get around this protection. Other tools such as XProtect, Gatekeeper and the Malware Removal Tool also provide important protection and make it almost impossible for Mac users to download harmful files.
The Mac’s built-in antivirus software includes XD (execute disable), ASLR (address space layout randomisation) and SIP (system integrity protection) to protect your critical system files and prevent malware from doing harm. Apple Mac’s built-in antivirus measuresĪpple does include some antivirus software within its Mac operating system that can help to fend off many cybersecurity threats and provide some peace of mind.
This is resulting in everything from computer slowdowns and unwanted pop-ups to sensitive data being held to ransom. However, with more businesses now switching to Macs, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting them, with attacks on Macs rising by over 400% from 2018 to 2019. With Windows machines accounting for the bulk of the market, the rewards for successfully infiltrating Windows computers are far greater than for Macs. Traditionally, Macs have been less vulnerable than Windows computers, but that’s simply a numbers game. All Macs, from Mac Minis to MacBooks and iMacs, can be infected by viruses and malware, and be hacked by cybercriminals. Some people mistakenly believe that Apple products are immune to viruses and malware, but sadly that’s not the case. However, the truth is that Macs can indeed get viruses and malware, so you must be aware of the risks. As Macs only account for around 10% of the market, cybercriminals have been slow to target them.
The accepted wisdom has always been that Mac users don’t need antivirus software. But do you need to worry about your Macs? With cyberattacks becoming an increasingly sophisticated and ever-present threat, business leaders are right to think very seriously about how they can protect their data.
0 kommentar(er)
