Does your business need anti-virus for your Macs?

The common conception is that Macintosh computers that are UNIX based are not susceptible to viruses, Trojans and malware, hence don’t require Antivirus compared to the Windows PCs.  In this article we will uncover the whole truth and make recommendations to SMBs.

Macintosh computer are definitely less likely to be infected primarily because the core architecture of OS X is designed to be secure right out of the box. Another reason is hackers usually target Windows PCs, which has historically been a bigger target. But this doesn’t make Macs bullet proof. Even Apple itself advises its users that no System can be 100 percent immune in their security advice.

So do you really need Mac Antivirus software?

As long as you connect to the internet there is a chance that you could get infected. Here is the history of mac malware since 1982. The risk level is much lower than windows PCs, but it is possible. In April of 2012, 650,000 Macs were infected with the flashback Trojan. Although Apple released security update to prevent the Flashback Trojan from exploiting infected computers and others took steps to eliminate the malware from their systems all together, there are still thousands of infected Mac computers out there. If you believe you have been infected, use this removal tool to remove the Trojan.

 If you are concerned and would like additional protection, antivirus companies have released antivirus software for mac users. Sophos offers Antivirus for Mac Home Edition and also a Small business solution. Considering most business already invest in Antivirus licenses for their windows desktops and servers, its good practice to also invest in securing all machines across all platforms. This will ensure business continuity and eliminate the risk of downtime for your staff.