Yes, Macs need antivirus software. There's a myth out there that Macs don't get viruses — but it's just that: a myth. Macs and Macbooks can get viruses like any other device. And while many users think their Apple computers are protected, your Mac is not immune to malware, and so it's certainly vulnerable to attacks. As we see more and more viruses targeting Mac users, it’s increasingly critical to protect your device with Mac antivirus software.

The macOS operating system The macOS, or Mac OS X system, has existed for 40 years in various forms — it’s robust, and because of its regular updates malware developers find it hard to keep up with the changes and write viruses that will successfully infect the system.

XProtect Apple's basic malware detection is built-in to its Mac OS X operating system. XProtect defends Macs against various types of malware, by scanning downloaded files for signs of infection, but it needs to be regularly updated to recognize new or emerging threats — and it won’t help you if you unwittingly land on an infected website.

Digitally signed apps A digital certificate is always seen as proof of a file’s security and a surefire sign that the file contains no malicious code, but cybercriminals can still plant malicious code at the file completion stage, exploit security gaps to sign their malicious files with valid digital certificates, and more.

App Store and Sandbox app security While sandboxing adds another layer to security on Macs, not even the App Store nor sandbox apps are 100% safe, as highlighted by the attack on the Chinese version of the App Store by the XCodeGhost Virus. Malware authors have frequently found and exploited weaknesses, such as using obscure file formats or large file sizes that the sandbox can’t process, leaving Mac users at risk of infection.

If you’ve already been infected, then the best way to handle Mac virus removal is to perform a Mac virus scan with specialized software. You can easily automate this process with the Avast’s free Mac virus scanner & removal tool — which not only scans for viruses and other malware, but removes them as it goes — so it’s quite simple to clear malware out and secure your Mac.

In 2021, the best free antivirus for Mac is light, powerful, and designed to protect in real-time against new and constantly emerging threats, and has features like spyware and ransomware protection. Avast Free Antivirus for Mac offers all of that, plus additional features that help you protect your online privacy and sensitive information, such as Wi-Fi Inspector and Anti-phishing protection.

Yes, Avast is a safe antivirus for Macs. Avast Free Antivirus is completely compatible with macOS, and will secure your Mac against online threats, viruses, and other malware. Plus, we have a range of privacy, security, and performance products designed to protect you from malware, safeguard your online privacy, and keep your devices junk-free and running like new. Avast Ultimate bundles our best privacy, security, and performance products together, so you can cover all your bases with one just package. As always, installing preventative protection is the sensible option, rather than finding out how to remove spyware from your Mac once it’s already been infected.