The days when you could say «Macs don't have viruses» are long gone. The growing market share of macOS - particularly in the professional and creative sectors - makes it an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals.
The most widespread threats to Macs in 2026 will not be traditional viruses, but more insidious forms: the adware (intrusive adware), the infostealers (theft of passwords, cookies and bank details), the ransomware (encrypting your data for ransom) and above all the phishing (fake sites and emails imitating legitimate services). Social engineering attacks - which target the user rather than the system - remain the number one threat, no matter how technically secure your Mac is.
The good news is that macOS has some of the most robust native protections on the market. The combination of these built-in defences and good user practices makes a Mac very difficult to compromise. Here's how to make the most of them.
Before you add anything, understand what macOS is already doing to protect you. According to the Apple documentation on platform security, macOS incorporates several layers of defence.
| Protection | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gatekeeper | Checks that applications are signed by an identified developer and notarised by Apple before letting them run. | On by default |
| XProtect | Built-in anti-malware that detects and blocks known malware. Updates silently in the background. | On by default, automatic updates |
| XProtect Remediator | Cleaning tool that removes malware detected by XProtect. Scans the system periodically. | On by default |
| FileVault | Full disk encryption (AES-256). Protects data in the event of theft or loss of the Mac. | To be activated manually |
| App Sandbox | Isolate each application in a restricted environment to limit damage in the event of compromise. | Mandatory for Mac App Store apps |
| System Integrity Protection (SIP) | Prevents critical system files from being modified, even by an administrator account. | On by default |
| Secure Enclave (T2/Apple Silicon) | Dedicated chip that stores encryption keys, Touch ID biometric data and manages secure boot. | Hardware (Mac 2018+) |
For an in-depth analysis of whether or not it is necessary to add a third-party antivirus to these protections, see our dedicated article : Mac antivirus: is it really necessary?
The first and most important safety measure is also the simplest: install updates as soon as they are available. The macOS updates include security patches that close the loopholes discovered by researchers and exploited by attackers.
Activate automatic updates in System settings → General → Software updates → Automatic updates. Make sure that all the options are ticked: download new updates, install macOS updates, install security responses and system files.
«Rapid Security Responses» (introduced in macOS Ventura) are urgent patches that install without rebooting and without changing the macOS version number. They allow Apple to deploy patches in hours rather than weeks - don't disable them.
FileVault encrypts your entire drive using the AES-256 algorithm. Without your session password or recovery key, no one can access your data - even if the SSD is physically removed from the Mac.
To activate it : System settings → Privacy and security → FileVault → Activate. macOS gives you the option of storing the recovery key in your iCloud account or writing it down manually. Both options are valid: iCloud is more practical, and the manual key is safer if you don't trust the cloud.
On Apple Silicon Macs and Intel Macs with a T2 chip, FileVault is particularly effective because encryption is managed by the Secure Enclave, with no impact on performance. You won't notice any difference in day-to-day speed.
The firewall built into macOS filters unsolicited incoming connections. Activate it in System Settings → Network → Firewall and click on Activate. You can then click on Options to refine the rules: block all incoming connections, authorise certain applications or activate stealth mode (the Mac does not respond to network scan requests).
To go further, an outgoing firewall such as LuLu (free, open source) monitors connections initiated by applications from your Mac. This detects software that communicates without your permission - typical behaviour of malware and spyware. You can find LuLu and other security tools in our list of essential Mac applications.
The weakest link in security remains the human element. Reused, short or predictable passwords are the most common entry point for attackers. A password manager solves this problem by generating and storing unique and complex passwords for each service.
macOS offers two integrated solutions: the iCloud Keychain application (synchronised with all your Apple devices) and, since macOS Sequoia, the Password dedicated. These tools are sufficient for most users in the Apple ecosystem.
For multi-platform use (Windows, Android, Linux), Bitwarden (free, open source) or 1Password (for a fee) are the benchmark. They offer secure password sharing, data leak detection and integrated two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a layer of protection even if your password has been compromised. Activate it on all the services that offer it, starting with the most critical: Apple ID account, main email, online banking, social networks.
Apple manages Apple ID 2FA directly in macOS - it's normally already enabled if you use iCloud. For other services, use TOTP codes (via iCloud Keychain, Bitwarden or a dedicated app) rather than SMS, which are vulnerable to SIM swapping attacks.
The web browser is the main point of entry for threats on the Mac. A few settings and habits can drastically reduce the risks.
| Practice | Why it's important |
|---|---|
| Check URLs before clicking | Phishing sites imitate real sites (Apple, banks, cloud services) perfectly. Always check the URL in the address bar before entering your login details. |
| Keeping your browser up to date | Browser vulnerabilities are among the most exploited. Safari updates with macOS; Chrome and Firefox have their own update cycles. |
| Limiting extensions | Each extension has access to your browsing data. Only install the ones you really need, from official sources. |
| Use a content blocker | Malvertising is a common vector of infection. A content blocker such as 1Blocker or uBlock Origin reduces this risk. |
| Avoid suspicious downloads | Pirated and cracked software is the number one source of malware on the Mac. Download only from the Mac App Store or official developer sites. |
Backup isn't just good practice: it's your last line of defence against ransomware, hardware failure and human error. A stolen Mac or one encrypted by ransomware is a major inconvenience. A stolen Mac whose data is backed up elsewhere is a simple hardware hiccup.
Time Machine is the simplest solution: plug in an external drive, activate Time Machine and forget about it - back-ups are made automatically. Add a cloud backup (iCloud, Backblaze) to protect against physical disasters (fire, theft, flood).
The 3-2-1 rule remains the benchmark: 3 copies of your data, on 2 different media, including 1 off-site (cloud or separate physical location). In the event of a data problem, our data recovery can intervene as a last resort.
macOS requires your permission before an application can access your camera, microphone, files, location or screen. Check these permissions regularly in System settings → Privacy and security.
Go through each category (Camera, Microphone, Files and Folders, Screen Recording, Accessibility, Full Disk Access) and revoke the permissions of applications you no longer use. A videoconferencing application that is uninstalled but still listed in the permissions is a signal that the clean-up has been incomplete.
The security of your Mac also depends on the security of the network to which it is connected.
Home WiFi : Use WPA3 (or at least WPA2) encryption on your router. Change the router's default password and network name (SSID). Update the router firmware regularly - router vulnerabilities are exploited to intercept traffic from all connected devices.
Public WiFi : Public WiFi networks (cafés, hotels, airports) are hunting grounds for attackers. On a public network, use a VPN to encrypt all your traffic, or restrict yourself to HTTPS sites. Absolutely avoid banking transactions and connections to sensitive accounts on public WiFi without a VPN.
For network connection problems, our guide to Mac WiFi problems also covers DNS changes to more secure servers (Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 with malware filtering activated via 1.1.1.2).
Software security is useless if someone physically accesses your unlocked Mac. A few simple habits complete the protection.
Automatic lock : Configure an automatic quick lock in System settings → Lock screen. A delay of 1 to 5 minutes is reasonable. Use the shortcut Ctrl + Cmd + Q to instantly lock your Mac when you take your eyes off it. Find other useful shortcuts in our guide to Mac keyboard shortcuts.
Locate my Mac : Activate this function in System Settings → your name → iCloud → Locate my Mac. In the event of theft, you'll be able to locate the Mac, lock it remotely or wipe its data. Activation Lock will prevent the thief from resetting and reusing the Mac without your Apple ID.
Firmware password (Mac Intel) : On Intel Macs, a firmware password prevents booting from an external disk or Recovery mode without authentication. On Apple Silicon Macs, the Secure Enclave performs this function natively.
Yes, Macs are targeted by malware specific to macOS: adware, infostealers, trojans and ransomware. Viruses in the traditional sense (self-replicating) are rare, but modern threats don't need to replicate to cause damage. The most common source of infection is downloading pirated software or clicking on phishing links.
XProtect is effective against known threats and updates automatically. For the majority of users who practice good digital hygiene (no pirated software, vigilance against phishing, regular updates), XProtect combined with the other macOS protections is sufficient. A third-party antivirus is recommended for high-risk users or those working in a professional environment.
On Macs equipped with a T2 or Apple Silicon chip (2018 and later), FileVault encryption is managed hardware-wise by the Secure Enclave and has no measurable impact on performance. On older Intel Macs, a slight slowdown is possible during intensive write operations, but remains imperceptible in normal use.
A VPN is recommended on public WiFi networks to encrypt your traffic. At home, a VPN is useful for privacy but not essential for security if your WiFi network is correctly configured (WPA3, strong password). Choose a reputable VPN with a verified no-log policy (Mullvad, ProtonVPN, IVPN).
Common signs include browser redirects to unknown sites, recurring pop-up ads, unexplained slowdowns, unknown applications in the Applications folder, unknown processes in the Activity Monitor, or changes to your Safari homepage. If you suspect an infection, our Mac virus cleaning can intervene to clean up your system.
Lockdown mode is designed for very high-risk individuals (journalists, dissidents, targeted executives). It disables many functions (attachments in Messages, certain web technologies, wired connections with unknown devices). For a standard user, this mode is too restrictive and unnecessary. The measures described in this article offer an excellent level of protection without compromising on usability.
Apple collects anonymised usage data and diagnostics, but positions itself as one of the most privacy-friendly tech players. You can disable data sharing in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Enhancements. iCloud data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and Advanced Data Protection (end-to-end encryption for iCloud) is available as an option.
Enable Locate My Mac (iCloud), FileVault (disk encryption), a strong session password and Quick Auto Lock. In the event of theft, log in to iCloud.com to remotely locate, lock or wipe your Mac. Activation Lock will prevent the thief from using it again without your Apple ID.
Passkeys are the most promising authentication technology: they use biometrics (Touch ID, Face ID) and public key cryptography to log you in without a password. By 2026, more and more websites will support them (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, PayPal). Eventually, they will effectively replace traditional passwords, but the transition will take several more years.
With FileVault enabled, your data is encrypted and inaccessible without your password, even if the SSD is removed from the Mac. At Réparation MAC, we strictly respect the confidentiality of your data and only ask for your password if the intervention requires it (with your explicit agreement). We recommend that you always activate FileVault before entrusting your Mac to anyone else.
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