Antivirus Question For MacBook Users

Naturally

Naturally

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I recently bought a MacBook Air M4 and this is my first MacBook. So I'm reaching out for thoughts and advice from more experienced Mac users.

Do you run an antivirus app on your MacBook? If you do run an antivirus, which one have you chosen?

Used to be it was unheard of on a Mac, or at least uncommon, to need antivirus but things could be different today.
If I do install one on my MacBook, it will be a free version. Not going to get tied to subscriptions and such. This MacBook isn't my daily driver.
The free version of Avira seems to get good reviews for a free version. Thoughts and advice? ... Thanks :)
 
You don’t always need third-party antivirus on a Mac if you keep it updated and browse carefully. Apple’s built-in security handles many threats. But for stronger, more complete protection, especially for sensitive tasks or heavy browsing, reputable antivirus software is worth considering.

Now asking which antivirus software to use is like asking Chevy or Ford (in car terms).
 
Macs (and Windows actually) have pretty good Anti Virus software builtin. Any additional AV especially on Macs is a waste and can even slow things down. Besides Macs do not get viruses. Unix doesn't allow it. Norton on a Mac is the malware.

Using common sense while being online is by far the best protection. Everybody knows not to open unknown attachments or click on links in unknown emails. Using uBlock Origin (ad/malware blocker ) on browsers that allow it goes a long way towards protecting you against malware sites. Brave Browser has it builtin. Sorry Chrome users, Google makes it's money on ads and doesn't like ad blockers so it blocks them. You can get uBlock lite on Chrome but it's a watered down version. Still better than nothing.

Something few people know about is changing your system's DNS server to something like Cloudflare (1.1.1.2 ) and Quad 9 (9.9.9.9) that blocks known malware sites and won't even let you connect to them. They use a govt maintained database of evil sites that gets updated constantly. Those DNS servers are fast too. On the other hand using Google DNS (8.8.8.8) is letting Google know everywhere you go. And using the default ISP DNS is usually overloaded and slow and are also privacy nightmares. Any protection in those if it even exists at all is limited.

Using a vpn on public wifi like airports or coffee shops is another thing to consider. Many of those sites are compromised and a VPN protects your traffic from spying eyes. When I say spying I mean stealing your passwords and other data.

Sorry, computer secuity is what I did in my other lifs. I cannot help myself being long winded when talking about it.
 
Thanks for chiming in @MoBeans
- Safari on my MacBook will only run the watered down Lite version of uBlock Origin but that is working well. On my desktop with Firefox in Linux, I have the full on uBlock Origin. And the desktop Linux is my daily driver.
- I have Brightspeed Fiber Internet and when into the settings of their Calix GigaSpire BLAST router, I can view DNS server designations but can't change them. Brightspeed has those locked in. Apparently the primary is Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 but not the filtered Cloudflare 1.1.1.2. I could try going into each device on my LAN and setting the DNS server but feel no compelling need to. I use common sense while online and everything is working fine now. Common sense and all security protocols in place ... except the DNS server thing.
 
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