Do Macs need antivirus?
Not necessarily, but the old "Macs don’t get viruses" line is false. macOS has solid built-in protections (XProtect, Gatekeeper, notarization) that cover careful users. Mac malware exists and is growing, mostly adware, browser hijackers, and infostealers. If you want active protection, choose a Mac specialist like Intego or a multi-platform suite.
Apple ships real security into macOS: XProtect scans for known malware, Gatekeeper blocks unsigned apps, and notarization checks what developers distribute. For a careful user who installs software only from the App Store and known vendors, that baseline plus regular updates is a defensible setup, and we say so even though it earns us nothing.
The threat picture has shifted, though. Mac infostealers (malware that grabs passwords, browser data, and crypto wallets) grew sharply in recent years, usually spreading through cracked apps, fake installers, and malicious ads. Adware and browser hijackers remain the most common Mac complaints. The built-in tools are good at known threats but conservative and silent; they offer no web protection layer and little visibility.
If you decide you want more, prefer software actually built for the platform. Intego has developed exclusively for Mac since 1997 and understands macOS-native threats best. The big multi-platform suites (Bitdefender, Norton) cover Macs decently in their multi-device plans, which makes sense for mixed households. What we advise against is paying Windows-grade prices for a thin Mac port; check what the Mac version actually includes before buying.