Virus scanners useful for Mac? You need to know

To protect your system from malware, Microsoft has equipped the Windows operating system with Windows Defender. Apple has also equipped macOS with on-board tools to protect your system from malware. Learn more about the built-in protection and whether an extra virus program is useful.

MacOS integrated virus protection - an overview

Like Windows, macOS is equipped with an integrated virus scanner or virus protection. Apple's own security feature XProtect works mainly in the background and checks programs, apps and files that you download from the network.

• To ensure that your system is constantly protected, XProtect is also provided with updates outside of the usual updates for macOS.
• In addition to XProtect, MRT (Malware Removal Tool) is also one of the essential security features of macOS. The tool removes found malware and malicious software.

Also under macOS, virus scanners and other protection software consume resources and slow down your system. Nevertheless, extensive protection against malware is always useful. The on-board tools of macOS usually protect you from the worst, but it still doesn't hurt to play it safe and install extra virus protection.

Adjust security settings

In macOS, you also have the option to manually change the security settings.

1. Click on the Apple icon in the navigation at the top of the screen.
2. Select "System Preferences" and then switch to the "Security" category.

Here you will find various setting options for the firewall or privacy, for example. For security reasons, you can customize options only in combination with your admin password.