Can a Mac get a virus and Do I require a Mac Antivirus? The short answer is Yes. Apple computers are generally less susceptible to getting infected by a virus when compared to a Windows computer. This is mainly due to the Windows market being a lot bigger, virus developers want to target as many victims as possible, and by targeting more people, the chances of the virus spreading is much more likely. Spending time developing a virus for a small percentage of the market would almost be a waste of time for them.
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Below are some other reasons why Apple computer are less likely to become infected than a Windows computer:
- Mac OS X, is built on the Unix Kernel, which is one of the oldest and most secure operating systems available.
- Virus developers are more familiar with the Microsoft Windows and so it’s easier for them to create a virus for this platform.
- Most of the scripts, tools and code used to create viruses or malware are designed for use with Microsoft Windows.
- Macs have an in-built security software called Gatekeeper which prevents any third-party applications from executing if it hasn’t been digitally signed and approved by Apple.
However, there are global tools that can cause viruses on both Mac and Windows via browser extensions and plug-ins like Java or Adobe Flash. Most users will have these installed and so compromise the security of their whole system.
These days, the popularity of Macs have increased so much that the market for virus developers is looking much more appealing and so viruses are becoming a lot more common on Macs. In 2014 a massive security flaw was discovered – if you were connected to an unsecure wifi hotspot, a hacker had the ability to access all of your personal data.
To be sure, we suggest protecting your mac with an antivirus. Safety first and all that!