Don’t Take Threats Against Your Mac Lightly


Like many Mac users, you believe that your built-in security system is enough to protect your computer from viruses and other malware. For a long time, this has been true. Apple’s highly rated stock security system has kept users relatively safe. Unfortunately, threats have grown more sophisticated in the past few years.

According to the State of Malware report, there has been a “significant rise in the overall prevalence of Mac threats in 2019, with an increase of over 400 percent from 2018.”

To make matters worse, Mac detections per endpoint rose to 11.0 in 2019 from 4.8 in 2018. This is double the same statistic for Windows. With the average number of threats detected on a Mac exceeding Windows, you must take every precaution to protect your privacy and your data.

Beef Up Security

Not every cybersecurity software is smart enough for your Mac. Only some cybersecurity software can complement your Mac’s built-in security system and beef it up.

Good antivirus software is anticipatory. It protects your Mac from some of the following threats without you even having to think about it:

Ransomware: This emerging type of malware targets an increasing number of Mac users. Ransomware locks Mac users out of their machines and demands a payment to restore access. Usually, there are no guarantees.

Adware: This form of malware hides on your Mac and bombards you with advertisements. More sophisticated adware monitors your Internet habits to target you with specific ads.

Spyware: This type of malware infiltrates your Mac’s defenses and monitors your activity. It steals your data, including sensitive information such as passwords, banking details, and credit card credentials. This information sells to the highest bidder on the dark web.

While the right cybersecurity software should pack a punch like Mike Tyson, it should also be lean, smooth, and fast like Muhammad Ali. It should use little disk space and scan your Mac quickly. Likewise, the right VPN should use a newer and quicker protocol so that you enjoy the advantages of a VPN with less lag. It should also offer many servers across the world. This way, it will be easier to find a closer and faster server to your Mac.

Your best option is to arm your Mac with sophisticated antivirus software from a trusted source like Malwarebytes.

Use Licensed Software

Avoid pirated software. It may carry malware and can’t be updated. Out-of-date software with security vulnerabilities is easier for hackers to breach. Pirated software is also usually riddled with dangerous malware. Likewise, be wary of free software. It may also have malware. If it doesn’t want your money, then it certainly wants your data.

Update Your Operating System

Keep your Mac updated to improve its security. If your automatic updates are disabled, then you will miss crucial security updates for your apps and your operating system. The right security flaw will quickly be exploited by a hacker and cost you dearly.

With the threats of malware increasing, you must be proactive. The right cybersecurity software will complement your Mac’s security system and crush all potential threats, leaving you with peace of mind.


Kokou Adzo

Kokou Adzo is a stalwart in the tech journalism community, has been chronicling the ever-evolving world of Apple products and innovations for over a decade. As a Senior Author at Apple Gazette, Kokou combines a deep passion for technology with an innate ability to translate complex tech jargon into relatable insights for everyday users.

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