Can Mac Products Get Viruses? Plus, Some Bonus Tips

There’s no denying it — Mac users love Apple products and everything that they have to offer. Both the laptop and desktop models are known to be durable, user-friendly, and innovative pieces of technology.

However, if you’re a Mac user, you may have heard the urban myth that Apple products are impervious to viruses.
Even though Macs come equipped with a handful of cybersecurity programs, such as XProtect, cybercriminals have found ways to work around these systems.

Failing to notice and deal with these issues can affect your Mac’s performance and even compromise your data. Even worse, the viruses can potentially destroy your software, forcing you to spend money on a replacement.
If you’d like to protect your precious MacBook or iMac proactively, be sure to try out the tips mentioned below:

1. Download an Antivirus Program

To protect your device from viruses, the first thing that you need to do is download Mac antivirus software —this software thoroughly scans your device for signs of suspicious activity. If the program finds a compromised file, it gets deleted immediately. Running regular scans can drastically increase the lifespan of your product.

With all of this in mind, it’s easy to see why it’s so crucial for Mac users to download an antivirus program from a trusted source that offers a wide variety of cybersecurity services, including:

• Cleans infected Macs
• Prevents viruses, malware, and spyware
• Proactively blocks unwanted programs like adware
• Blocks apps from suspicious developers

2. Update Your OS Regularly

After you’ve downloaded an antivirus program, you should take the time to check for OS updates. These updates don’t just change your interface’s appearance; they also improve your product’s overall security.

When you update your Mac, you’re allowing Apple to patch and fix any security issues that have come to their attention since the previous update. Failing to do this leaves your computer vulnerable to a cyber attack.
Therefore, you may be questioning yourself, “how do I update my Mac?”.

It’s quite simple — all you need to do is scroll to the top left corner and click on the Apple icon. Once you’ve done that, scroll down towards system preferences and click on it. Afterwards, click on the button that reads, “Update Now” and start the update.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of manually updating your OS every time, you can schedule your Mac to update automatically by checking the box in the bottom left corner of the “Software Updates” page.

3. Only Download Apps from Trusted Sources

Although this may look obvious, you should never download programs from suspicious or unaccredited sources.
While searching for apps for your device, you should always start with the Apple App Store. These apps have been thoroughly checked for malware and can be trusted.

Long story short, yes, Mac products are susceptible to viruses. Thanks, there exist various ways that you can decrease your chances of having to deal with these viruses. Some of these tactics include downloading a Mac-specific antivirus program, updating your OS regularly, and downloading apps from verified sources.