Does a Mac Need Antivirus? How to Scan Your Mac for Malware in 2026
"Macs don't get viruses" was never quite true, and in 2026 it's misleading. macOS has excellent built-in defences against classic viruses. What gets through today is different: password-stealing malware that you're tricked into installing yourself, and adware that hijacks your browser. Whether you need antivirus depends less on your Mac than on how you download software.
Quick answer: Most Mac users don't need paid, always-on antivirus. macOS includes Gatekeeper, notarization and XProtect, which block and remove known malware automatically. But those defences don't stop you being tricked into running something, which is how most Mac malware now arrives. Keep macOS updated, only download apps from the App Store or developers' own sites, never paste Terminal commands from a website that promised a download, and run a free on-demand scan if something feels wrong. If you hold crypto or install a lot of software from outside the App Store, real-time protection is worth considering. For a quick second opinion, MacCove Space runs an on-device malware scan and shows which apps are sending data out.
What macOS already does to protect you
Apple describes its malware defences as three layers: stop malware from launching, block it if it does launch, and remove it if it has already run.
| Built-in protection | What it does | Its limits |
|---|---|---|
| Gatekeeper | Only lets apps from the App Store or identified, Apple-checked developers open by default | You can still approve an app yourself in Privacy & Security |
| Notarization | Apple scans developer apps for malware before they're distributed, and can revoke apps later found to be malicious | Some malware is signed with stolen or abused developer certificates |
| XProtect | Checks apps against known malware signatures when they first launch and when they change; signatures update automatically | Only knows about malware Apple has already identified |
| XProtect Remediator | Periodically scans for and removes known malware | Scans run in the background on a schedule, mainly when the Mac is on power |
| System Integrity Protection | Stops anything, even with an admin password, from changing core system files | Doesn't protect your own files, browser data or passwords |
| Background item alerts | Notifies you when an app adds something that runs at login or in the background | Easy to dismiss without reading |
| Lockdown Mode | Extreme protection for people targeted by sophisticated attacks | Not meant for everyday users; breaks some features |
In 2024, macOS Sequoia also removed the old Control-click shortcut for opening unapproved apps. You now have to go into System Settings → Privacy & Security to approve one. That small change pushed attackers to find a different route, which is the story of Mac malware in 2025 and 2026.
What Mac malware looks like in 2026
The big shift is that modern Mac malware rarely breaks in. It persuades you to let it in.
Infostealers are the most serious threat. Families like Atomic (AMOS) and Odyssey steal browser passwords, cookies, Keychain data and cryptocurrency wallets, then send them off within minutes. Security firm Moonlock (part of MacPaw, which sells Mac security software) reported that AMOS-family stealers accounted for over nine in ten stealer detections in the first half of 2026.
"ClickFix" attacks show a fake error, CAPTCHA or installation guide that asks you to copy a command and paste it into Terminal. The command quietly downloads malware, sidestepping Gatekeeper because you ran it yourself. Microsoft reported a 2026 campaign using fake Mac storage cleanup guides to do exactly this. Apple added a Terminal warning for suspicious pastes in macOS Tahoe 26.4, but attackers have already found workarounds.
Fake downloads promoted through search ads impersonate popular apps: browsers, AI tools, trading apps, developer tools such as Homebrew.
Adware and unwanted apps are by far the most common things found on Macs. They change your browser's search engine, inject ads and install extensions. Less dangerous than stealers, but annoying and sometimes a gateway to worse.
Signs your Mac might be infected
Your browser's homepage or search engine changed on its own, or you see ads where there shouldn't be any.
Browser extensions you didn't install.
A password prompt appeared after you ran an installer or a Terminal command from a website, and it looked slightly off.
Unknown items in Login Items & Extensions, or a Background Items Added notification you don't recognise.
A configuration profile you didn't install, under System Settings → General → Device Management (or Profiles on older versions).
Unfamiliar processes using lots of CPU or network in Activity Monitor.
Friends receiving messages from your accounts, or unexpected sign-in alerts.
A slow Mac on its own is rarely malware. It's much more often storage or memory. See why your Mac is running slow.
How to check your Mac for malware yourself
Check login and background items. Open System Settings → General → Login Items & Extensions. Look up anything you don't recognise before you turn it off.
Check LaunchAgents. In Finder press ⇧⌘G and visit ~/Library/LaunchAgents, then /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons. Malware often hides here with names that imitate Apple or Google. Search the name of anything unfamiliar.
Check profiles. Look under System Settings → General → Device Management. On a personal Mac, this should normally be empty.
Check browser extensions in Safari (Settings → Extensions), Chrome (chrome://extensions) and any other browser you use.
Check Applications for apps you don't remember installing, and remove them properly, including their leftover files. Our guide on how to uninstall apps completely shows where those files live.
Run an on-demand scan with one of the free tools below.
If you suspect a stealer, assume your passwords and browser sessions are compromised. From a different, clean device, change your important passwords, sign out of all sessions, and move any crypto to a new wallet.
Free tools worth knowing
| Tool | What it does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Malwarebytes for Mac (free version) | On-demand scan and cleanup of malware and adware | Free; real-time protection is paid |
| KnockKnock (Objective-See) | Lists everything set to run automatically on your Mac, with VirusTotal checks | Free, open source |
| BlockBlock (Objective-See) | Alerts you whenever something installs itself to run persistently | Free, open source |
| LuLu (Objective-See) | Firewall that asks before apps make outgoing network connections | Free, open source |
Objective-See's tools are written by a respected Mac security researcher and are free. They're more technical than a typical antivirus app, but very good at showing you exactly what's running.
MacCove Space includes an on-device malware scan alongside its storage tools. It checks what's installed and running against known Mac threats, and lists which apps are sending data out over the network, so you can spot anything that shouldn't be talking to the internet. It's meant to complement macOS's own protection, not replace it.
So, do you need antivirus?
| You... | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Mostly use App Store apps and well-known software, keep macOS updated | Built-in protection plus an occasional free scan is enough |
| Install lots of apps, plugins or cracked software from around the web | Real-time protection is worth paying for (and stop installing cracked software) |
| Hold cryptocurrency or manage money on your Mac | Real-time protection and a hardware wallet |
| Use a work Mac | Your IT team's security tools take priority; don't add your own antivirus without asking |
| Are a journalist, activist or likely target of spyware | Turn on Lockdown Mode and get specialist advice |
How to stay safe without antivirus
Keep macOS and your apps updated. Security fixes land in updates first.
Download apps from the App Store or the developer's own website, not from search ads or download sites.
Never paste a command into Terminal because a website, pop-up or "verification" page told you to.
Treat unexpected password prompts with suspicion, especially right after installing something.
Read Background Items Added notifications instead of dismissing them.
Use a password manager and two-factor authentication, so a stolen password alone isn't enough.
FAQs
Does a MacBook come with antivirus?
Yes, in effect. XProtect is built into macOS and updates automatically, and Gatekeeper and notarization check apps before they open. There's nothing to install or turn on.
Can Macs get viruses?
Traditional self-spreading viruses are very rare on Macs. Malware is not: infostealers, adware and trojans all target macOS, and most of them rely on tricking the user into installing them.
Is Malwarebytes free for Mac?
The free version scans and removes malware on demand. Real-time protection, which blocks threats as they arrive, requires a paid subscription.
How do I run a virus scan on my Mac?
macOS scans automatically in the background. For a manual check, install a reputable on-demand scanner, run a full scan, and review the results before removing anything. Also check login items and browser extensions yourself.
Can an iPhone or iPad infect my Mac?
It's very unlikely. Files and links shared from your phone can still be malicious, though, so the same download rules apply.
Related guides
Why Is My Mac Running Slow?
How to Uninstall Apps on a Mac Completely
How to Check Memory Usage on a Mac