Electronics

[Susic]

 I bought my first Mac laptop today. It is still charging so don't have instruction information yet, but was wondering if MacBooks need virus and other protection like I had with my PC. I thought I had read that apple products don't need this, yet it comes with free 6 month trial . I don't have any with my IPad. Would appreciate your advice on the subject. Thank you , Susi.

[NickNack]

I've had a MacBook Air for about a year and a half.  No one at the Apple store mentioned that I needed virus protection.  I don't know anyone with a Mac that has virus protection either.  I know there are others here much more knowledgeable than I am.  I'll be interested in what they have to say.  You'll love your laptop!

[Mz iMac]

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@Susic wrote:

 I bought my first Mac laptop today. It is still charging so don't have instruction information yet, but was wondering if MacBooks need virus and other protection like I had with my PC. I thought I had read that apple products don't need this, yet it comes with free 6 month trial . I don't have any with my IPad. Would appreciate your advice on the subject. Thank you , Susi.

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There are no viruses in the wild that affect Macs-OSX *to date.*

"Malware" & "Viruses" are NOT the same thing.

Suggest that you check out the following links:

Mac Malware Guide

Viruses, Trojans, Malware - and other aspects of Internet Security

[Elbelle]

Nope.  Don't need virus protection software on any of the Apple devices. That's one of the main reasons for purchasing them. 

[Susic]

Thank you for your advice  and experience with this. I did read a  few articles on Internet, and seems like it is safe thing to do, but I also thought that was another benefit of Mac over PCs. Still glad I bought it. Decisions, decisions.....Susi.

[glb613]

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@Susic wrote:

 I bought my first Mac laptop today. It is still charging so don't have instruction information yet, but was wondering if MacBooks need virus and other protection like I had with my PC. I thought I had read that apple products don't need this, yet it comes with free 6 month trial . I don't have any with my IPad. Would appreciate your advice on the subject. Thank you , Susi.

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I use Bitdefender.  While there are no wide spread viruses or other malware, there are many who recommend you have protection.  It isn't as critical as with Windows based computers. 

[dooBdoo]

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Susic wrote:

 I bought my first Mac laptop today. It is still charging so don't have instruction information yet, but was wondering if MacBooks need virus and other protection like I had with my PC. I thought I had read that apple products don't need this, yet it comes with free 6 month trial . I don't have any with my IPad. Would appreciate your advice on the subject. Thank you , Susi.

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        @Susic, You don't need any anti-virus or malware protection on your iPad, and on the Mac just use the free, simple, safe "Malwarebytes" (just run the scan on a regular basis.  (link:  https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/mac/).   Other "protection" software isn't necessary and can cause problems on a Mac.   The major reason for scanning is that a Mac can sometimes pick up bad "stuff" which won't harm the Mac but might be transferred (via email messages, documents, etc., anything you share)  to others who use Windows-based PCs, and they could be harmed.

        Also, in general, use "safe computing" practices.  An excellent resource for any questions about specific software or other matters is the Apple Support Communities.  Here's the link, and you also can always find it by going to the Apple Site and looking under "Support" -- https://discussions.apple.com/welcome.

[Susic]

Thank you dooBdoo for taking time to explain. I have copied info., and will use once I get   computer going. I am still in orientation to start up, and keep flunking the mouse clicking ritual. Guess I have been using a PC for too long! Hoping once I get home page working, it will be easier. Susi.