Apple’s Mac computer line has proven itself over the last decade as a significant competitor to Microsoft’s Windows platform. Alongside a powerful software and hardware ecosystem, Apple has also garnered a more “secure” reputation than Windows PCs. But, as you’ll find out, the myth of better security reveals core misunderstandings of how cybercriminals attack.
Reliability is important when making any large purchase, especially with technology. Among these reliable expectations, security is high on the list for desktop and laptop computer users.
While these platforms are on a relatively even playing field, it is important to understand why Mac computers gained a safer reputation in the first place. Furthermore, you should learn why your own use habits can compromise your safety no matter what computer you use.
In this article, we’ll answer some common questions around Mac and PC security:
To start, we’ll begin with the basics.
In the past, there was a general belief that Macs were much more secure than Windows PCs. Many Mac users believed they were much less likely to encounter the negative effects of malware and cyberattacks. In fact, it was often assumed that Macs were less likely to get infected or attacked at all.
However, the growth of Mac-focused cyber threats in recent years has led many users to question just how secure Macs are. The rising popularity of Mac operating systems in recent years has made them a prime target for cybercriminals and Macs have subsequently fallen prey to several viruses, malware, and other web threats.
In just the past few years, Mac users have endured a ceaseless stream of new threats. A few of these threats include the Flashfake botnet, the Koobface worm, and Mac Defender malware. In addition to these newfound threats, Mac users also face perennial risks from phishing scams, spam, and other types of web threats of virtually every kind.
One simple principle can explain why Mac was believed to be more secure: cybercriminals simply chose to attack more popular platforms instead.
Part of the long-held belief that Macs are less susceptible to viruses comes from the simple fact that there are fewer Macs than PCs. Criminals create viruses to make money off the cyberattack — it makes sense to go after the PC first, as it's the bigger target, and therefore holds higher potential value.
Since the late ’90s, Microsoft has had its Windows operating systems on most personal and enterprise computers. For a hacker or cyber-scammer, creating attacks for popular platforms is a bit like creating a universal key to break into thousands of homes. Meanwhile, much smaller platforms like macOS and Linux remained mostly untouched for the better part of a decade.
As Macs numbers are growing, they are stealing market share from Windows PCs — both in business and in the home. Since 2003, macOS has grown from 2.26% to 10.18% of the OS market as of July 2019. While Mac popularity can be attributed to their sleek design and ease of use, the lack of ongoing malware threats has probably been appealing as well. This ever-growing, less cautious userbase has started to make macOS a very high-value target for cybercriminals.
The truth is that both Macs and PCs are very vulnerable to web threats and cyberattacks. Users of both operating systems should take the necessary steps to ensure that their systems are protected immediately, as the risk of malware and other web threats continue unabated year after year.
When assessing levels of security, a platform’s technical support is just as important as the volume of cyber threats it faces. Your manufacturer’s response speed to security problems can either mitigate or amplify the damage of malware exploits.
For example, Apple's patch for 2012’s Flashback exploit took almost 50 days to be ready for distribution to macOS users. Worse, it was only available for users that were running macOS Snow Leopard and macOS Lion. Delays in security patches for OS-level exploits can have a very negative effect on the perceived effectiveness of security.
Windows may have more history with confronting these problems, which can give them the illusion of better security. That said, both platforms have their own share of security flaws and have had time to get familiar with protecting users. Nowadays, macOS and Windows PC have handled security updates with no notable delay issues.
Of course, computer security is more than just cyberthreat volume and response turnarounds. To get the full picture, you’ll have to know more about how these platforms handle other security duties.
Between the two most popular platforms, Mac and Windows PC products have the tremendous task of safeguarding over 90% of all desktop and laptop users worldwide. Each has its own history and approach towards cyber security, which may shape how future threats affect them.
To a certain extent, the level of security you enjoy will depend on the version of macOS or Windows OS you’re running. For a meaningful comparison, it’s best to consider how the very latest — and fully patched — versions of each operating system compare with each other.
Apple’s macOS has a relatively lower rate of attacks as noted with its much smaller market share. This generally lends itself to a peace-of-mind use case for non-technical users. However, the growth and increased relevance of Apple devices may leave it open to a shift in attack rates.
Threat growth: Most interestingly, the volume of threats per Mac has grown at double the rate of Windows PCs threats as of 2020. With most of this platform-specific threat growth based in malicious downloads, direct exploits don’t seem to be a top target for Mac hackers. This may change as these criminals become more experienced with exploiting Apple’s Mac devices.
Browser safety: Mac’s native internet browser, Safari, has recently received an overhaul to bring robust ad-blocking features. Blocking ads, unwanted popups, and undisclosed tracking can secure highly compromising touchpoints for internet users. Despite ranking higher than Microsoft Edge, third-party browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox tend to rank higher due to Safari’s slower update cycle.
Out-of-the-box security: Apple macOS requires a bit less upkeep on the security side of the platform than Windows. This lack of pressing urgency is simply due to the lower threat presence on Macs versus PCs. Non-techie users tend to find these devices easier to reliably maintain and understand. However, user behavior may be more vulnerable on this platform due to the perception of relative safety to that of Windows.
Update frequency: Mac seems to have a far less proactive history of seeking and treating security issues on the OS compared to Windows. Relative to Windows, macOS may not currently require a constant update cycle since malicious parties tend to target macOS less frequently. Since proactive protection is the best security, macOS may be missing vital security with less frequent updates.
Microsoft’s Windows OS has a substantially higher rate of attacks, largely due to its dominant market share. Immediately, this platform demands a bit more attention for users to stay safe. A decrease in rates of attack is unlikely due to the massive hold on the OS market and the lack of exponential growth from the competition.
Threat growth: As stated previously, Windows PCs have had relatively lower growth in the volume of threats to the platform in comparison to macOS. However, this also implies that there is still an ever-growing threat for a platform that is already targeted more often than any other. Additionally, Windows faces threats that directly exploit system vulnerabilities without the need for downloads are a concern that doesn’t seem to plague Apple’s Mac computers.
Browser safety: Windows native browser, Microsoft Edge (replacement for Internet Explorer), has attempted to distance itself from the predecessor’s poor reputation. While their update cycle is incredibly strong with weekly security patches, their approach to user diagnostic reports is questionable at best. With these reports being traceable with IDs for every user device, it ranks lower than nearly every mainstream internet browser, including Apple’s Safari.
Out-of-the-box security: Windows requires a bit more upkeep than macOS. Both Windows and Mac have fairly invisible native anti-malware solutions. However, Windows users must take extra care to keep their various system components updated (OS, third-party antivirus, drivers, browsers, etc.) simply due to increased attack volume.
Update frequency : Windows appears to have a more aggressive history of discovering and patching security issues. That may be because they are probed far more often by malicious actors, but the effort is beneficial, nonetheless.
Both macOS and Windows have their flaws and strengths which may sway your decision. With each user having very different levels of technical skill, you may find yourself choosing a platform that feels more comfortable and familiar.
Regardless of choice, you’ll find the most secure platform to be the one you know the best. Learning how to properly use your software will keep you more secure than any definitive security statistics can.
That said, here are some takeaways to help you see the big picture:
Mac OS
Windows OS
The fact is all software is imperfect simply because it is human designed. There will always be a potential exploit in any OS, and a platform is only as secure as the weakest link in a device’s use. Interestingly, the biggest weakness of a device’s security is actually you — the user. You’ll need more than just a “secure” OS to stay safe during your computer use.
Windows PC antivirus software is common and recommended to users because of the platform’s very visible attack history. But, it's a rare event to hear about a widespread computer virus attack on Mac computers. So, you might question whether Mac antivirus software is even necessary. Can MacBook’s get viruses? Can Macs get viruses? Hopefully, by now, you realize that macOS is not infallible.
In past years, Macs have had their share of troubles.
Currently, there are indeed fewer malware programs that are targeting macOS versus Windows. However, we’ve established that Macs need total security attention just like any other OS.
Estimates suggest that 700,000 macOS users suffered from the Flashback Trojan virus. Users that had believed they didn’t need antivirus software – because they were Mac users – found that their false sense of security offered no defense against the attack.
Aside from the targeted cyberattack, human interaction or error is more likely to lead to a virus infection. These infections could stem from a variety of "unsafe" computer behaviors, such as:
Thus, even though there are fewer malicious programs targeting macOS, many Mac users now accept that they need to be much better prepared than previously. Just as PC users have done for many years, Mac users are now taking steps to bolster the security of their computers and are installing anti-malware products.
Humans make mistakes, after all, and the consequences can be brutal on your computer. It just means Mac owners need to be aware that their Macs can become infected just like a Windows PC. They should take steps to protect themselves — not just for peace of mind — but as a fundamental security practice. Getting equipped with antivirus software is something every computer owner should do.
A free antivirus for Mac software trial can be a good starting point. The trial allows you to get familiar with the level of security that can be attained with the product. If anything, it helps you get into the practice of home security.
In case you’re an owner of both macOS and Windows and are trying to find a balanced Mac vs PC virus protection, don’t worry. Many products are multiplatform and highly-effective on each — even covering your mobile devices.
Although there are several free antivirus options to choose from, it is important to select a product that is well-supported and maintained, and that offers sufficient scope of protection. Sometimes, can be wise to seek out the best paid antivirus for Mac. Premium features like enhanced real-time protections may only be available in paid software.
Cyberthreats will come for you regardless of which computer platform you choose. As such, it is your job to ensure you’re not engaging in risky behaviors, which are the biggest risk to your safety. For total security against social engineering tactics and other means, here are some time-tested tips for staying safe on your Mac or Windows PC.
Want to protect yourself from malicious online attacks and fake popups? Try Kaspersky Security Cloud today — available for Mac and Windows PC.
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