Free antivirus for Mac vs paid-for packages MacOS now also includes App Sandbox, which keeps your apps separate from system components, so it’s easier to remove one app if it gets infected by a malicious program. Other MacOS security features include anti-phishing, privacy and parental controls. FileVault keeps your files safe from prying eyes by encrypting your Mac so it can only be used by an authorised user. For example, its Gatekeeper tool can prevent you from installing anything other than Apple-approved or registered software. In fact, March 2016 saw the first example of Mac breaching ransomware.Īpple continues to keep its Mac operating system security beefed up.
If you use your Mac to go online, you’re still open to many of the same issues that affect Windows PC users, including spam emails, phishing scams, Trojan malware, browser vulnerabilities and ID theft. Even if the Mac operating system has traditionally proven resistant to virus attacks, there are still risks.