Mac: You should know this about virus protection

MacOS is actually considered to be fairly safe from viruses and the like. We'll show you whether you really need virus protection.

No need for virus protection on Mac

Virus protection is not essential for your Mac. The built-in security features along with a little care while surfing are sufficient.

• Many users do not know that macOS already has a virus scanner installed. This is called XProtect and works exclusively in the background. It is sufficient for the absolute majority of the threats.
• In addition, compared to Windows, there are not many viruses for Apple's operating system due to the lower prevalence. Virus scanners are therefore definitely not a must.
• Antivirus programs consume a lot of computer power and slow down your Mac. A virus scanner can only be helpful if you frequently transfer files to Windows computers.
• While security updates are not released on Apple as regularly as on Windows, there are other tips to help keep your Mac safe.

Some tips for using Mac safely

Use these tips to keep your Mac safe, even without an anti-virus program. But remember to keep your system up to date.

• Basically, backups are never a mistake. Make regular backups to back up your private files. This means that you are generally protected, especially in the event of data loss due to software or hardware errors.
• Be careful with questionable software. Programs purchased from the App Store are generally free of malware, which does not apply to programs from exchange exchanges or other questionable sites.
• Pay attention not only to the password entry for unknown pages that pretend to connect to your accounts, but above all to deactivate the automatic login. This makes it relatively easy to read your passwords.

In another article, we'll show you how to turn off the firewall on your Mac. If you deactivate the firewall, however, you run the risk of security gaps. We'll show you how to keep your Mac safe in another practical tip.