Do Macs Really Never Get Viruses?

Apple products are often said to be immune to viruses and malware, but this is unfortunately not the case. Macs, iMacs, and Mac Minis can all be infected with viruses and malware, and hackers can also successfully attack them. You may have heard the statement that Macs are not affected by viruses, but this is not true. It is true that you may come across someone who has used a Mac without antivirus software for years and has never had any issues.

However, this is not the case for Windows users. Therefore, Macs can contract viruses and are subject to threats just like any other computer. While Macs have strong built-in protections, they may not provide all the protection you need, especially when it comes to online identity theft and the latest malware threats. Think about the threats you want to avoid and then consider the options that will help you stay safe.

The short answer to the question of whether a Mac can get a virus or malware infection is yes. However, Macs are less likely to be infected compared to Windows computers. Although this is not a great defense, since it is outside Apple's control, your Mac is also protected by the fact that there are more Windows computers in the world than Macs. If your Mac's slow performance is due to a malware infection, remove the virus from your Mac immediately.

A reliable antivirus tool for Mac, such as Avast Security for Mac, blocks all types of malware so that no one gets infected. SolarWinds RMM offers an administration feature for Mac which allows you to monitor and manage Mac computers from the same web-based control panel that you use for Windows machines. While Mac viruses are less common than PC malware, the built-in security features of MacOS are not enough to protect Mac computers against all online threats. Even though a Mac is less vulnerable to viruses, Mac users can still be victims of Trojans, phishing scams, and online fraud.

Erma Paulk
Erma Paulk

Freelance twitter scholar. Infuriatingly humble sushi buff. Incurable twitter buff. Typical analyst. Award-winning pop culture guru. Award-winning zombie ninja.