While Windows tends to be very similar 'under the hood', the various versions of the Mac operating system vary widely. The answer also depends on the version of the Mac operating system you are using.
But the term 'virus' is used much more loosely these days and in that context refers to malicious software in general or what the industry calls ‘malware’. Some try to answer this question literally, based on the strict definition of 'virus'. It is true that Macs are not as prone to malware as a PC but they are not completely safe from infection so don’t believe the hype - most Mac infections occur as a result of user intervention and not drive-by silent infection that happens through no fault of the user.Īre there any real serious Mac viruses out there? And since most everyone is online these days that means that the majority of Mac users need to consider installing Mac compatible antivirus software. But if you do use the Internet, the answer is yes. If you never connect to the Internet, the answer is no.