For many years, most people believed Macs didn’t need antivirus software. Low market share made them an unattractive target, and Apple’s built-in protections discouraged most attackers. Times have changed. Macs now rank as the fourth most popular computer brand, and their premium status makes them a tempting target. That raises an important question: do Macs need antivirus in 2025, or is macOS security enough?
A recent Macworld test tried to answer this. Using macOS 15.6.1 on a standard Mac, testers exposed the system to more than 130 pieces of known malware. Objective-See, a nonprofit focused on Mac security, provided the malware samples. The goal was to see how far Apple’s defenses could hold up.
The results revealed both strengths and weaknesses. On one hand, users who ignore system warnings can still install malware. Testers deliberately bypassed prompts and granted unnecessary permissions to watch what happened. Once they did, malware slipped in. Several examples proved the point: one trojan ran in the background, another fake app disguised itself as Discord and asked for access to audio and video, and the notorious MacSecurity suite installed after testers allowed it. By the end, Safari’s start page had switched to a shady Viagra website.
On the other hand, cautious users found strong protection. macOS raised clear red flags before dangerous software could install. In most cases, Gatekeeper and XProtect either blocked malware outright or quarantined it before damage occurred. The warnings were frequent and difficult to dismiss, making it obvious when something was wrong.
This highlights a key point. If you download apps only from the Mac App Store or trusted developers, and if you respect Apple’s security prompts, macOS protections usually keep you safe. The built-in safeguards work to prevent apps from secretly accessing your camera, microphone, or keystrokes without permission.
Still, careless behavior can expose Macs to risk. Disabling protections or downloading cracked software creates openings for attackers. In those cases, third-party antivirus software adds another layer of defense. But for most Mac users who follow Apple’s guidance, the answer to do Macs need antivirus is no — at least for now. macOS continues to provide strong built-in defenses, as long as you let them do their job.
