Sweejak Author

Level 2

457 points

In search of reliable malware and virus scanner software

Can some savvy Apple user recommend a reliable virus and malware scanner for a Mac desktop?

I’m running Sequoia on a Mac Mini M1

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Apr 16, 2025 7:41 AM

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

59,966 points

Posted on Apr 16, 2025 8:11 AM

Antivirus: Absolutely not

Malware: MalwareBytes is effective particularly for Browser Hijacks where your searches are being redirected, and would only recommend a single scan if that has been noticed by you. I would still not recommend to have it installed to run constantly on your computer to use valuable resources.

Your Mac already uses XProtect to run 3 different types of scans on your computer at regular intervals. In addition you have Gatekeeper that will block Malware from being installed and you will see a message on startup if a file was unable to be scanned for Malware and protect your computer from installing files that are not signed.

Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support (BH)

View in context

24 replies

Sweejak Author

Level 2

457 points

Apr 16, 2025 9:42 AM in response to Sweejak

Wow, thank you for the replies. The reason this came up is that something unusual happened in my iMessages

This image show something that I supposedly posted but I didn’t. Maybe it was my cat, but to my simple mind this looked like a hacker's message. What do you all think? I do have AdGuard installed and find it invaluable, even if I have been cautioned against it.

Apr 28, 2025 7:24 AM in response to mechanic1357

mechanic1357 wrote:

You have touching faith in Apple/support/developers to keep released Mac versions free from malware issues. There are so many problem issues raised here that tend to show otherwise.

The vast majority of problems "raised here" are due to user error. I'm not casting aspersions. We all make errors. We all have gaps in our knowledge. Blaming everything that goes wrong on "bugs" or "hacking" isn't productive.

Apr 29, 2025 7:23 AM in response to mechanic1357

mechanic1357 wrote:

Agree, and for those needing more balanced info, and not wanting to wait for the next Apple OS update to fix vulnerabilities, there are sources like:

How is that article "balanced" when MacWorld accepts ads from the very companies it's recommending? On the other hand, no one here makes any money from giving advice.

[Edited by Moderator]

Apr 30, 2025 3:11 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

IdrisSeabright wrote:

mechanic1357 wrote:

Agree, and for those needing more balanced info, and not wanting to wait for the next Apple OS update to fix vulnerabilities, there are sources like:

How is that article "balanced" when MacWorld accepts ads from the very companies it's recommending? On the other hand, no one here makes any money from giving advice.

[Edited by Moderator]

The moderator on here won't allow links but there is an affiliate-link-policy page on the site you can review.

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,452 points

Apr 16, 2025 9:56 AM in response to Sweejak

Your welcome.

John Galt

Level 10

155,228 points

Apr 16, 2025 10:42 AM in response to Sweejak

The blue messages on the right side are those that you (or your cat) sent. In this case the hacker is you.

Sweejak Author

Level 2

457 points

Apr 16, 2025 12:02 PM in response to John Galt

hahaha well ok. I certainly have no memory of sending that gibberish. Does any one want a cat?

tygb

Level 9

65,004 points

Apr 28, 2025 7:19 AM in response to Sweejak

You can block iMessages Block and filter text messages in Messages on Mac - Apple Support

Apr 30, 2025 6:50 AM in response to mechanic1357

mechanic1357 wrote:

The moderator on here won't allow links but there is an affiliate-link-policy page on the site you can review.

I already understand how Capitalism works, thanks.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

In search of reliable malware and virus scanner software