My parents have an Apple computer and are looking into security software, any recommendations?

Kaspersky is the only one I've used in at least a decade.

It really doesn't need it.  MacOS is far more secure than Windows will ever be.

 

macOS - Security - Apple

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Apple products do not require virus/security protection because they send out software updates to their products regularly that fixes bugs.  I have an apple laptop and that is what the Apple Tech told me when I purchased the product.  Same for iphones and ipads.

 

Only PC's require virus/security software.

 

Perhaps this has changed recently.

3 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Apple products do not require virus/security protection because they send out software updates to their products regularly that fixes bugs.  I have an apple laptop and that is what the Apple Tech told me when I purchased the product.  Same for iphones and ipads.

 

Only PC's require virus/security software.

 

Perhaps this has changed recently.

It is true that Apple products are more robust in fighting off viruses and malware - they're not immune. Extra security is 'belt and suspenders'...can't hurt and could help.

 

Yes, the tech lied - they do that.

25 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

It is true that Apple products are more robust in fighting off viruses and malware - they're not immune. Extra security is 'belt and suspenders'...can't hurt and could help.

 

Yes, the tech lied - they do that.

 

A quick trip to the Apple website indicates that what I was told is accurate.  While it may be true you can add your own, Apple clearly states they have their own already installed.  I have never encountered a virus or software security issue using an Apple product and I did more than once using a PC with virus software protection.  That's actually part of why I stopped using a PC and went with Apple instead.  If you want to add your own, I agree that Kaspersky is the best one out there.

 

https://www.apple.com/macos/security/

3 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

It really doesn't need it.  MacOS is far more secure than Windows will ever be.

 

macOS - Security - Apple

That really couldn't be any further from the truth. In terms of the typical "dumb user" it is largely true but overall, just no. If you use the app store and only get trusted apps and not trying to run a server of any kind, you're pretty safe with Apple. They screen them pretty hard and ensure apps are up to date etc. unlike say Google who just approves everything despite the hidden keylogger or Microsoft who doesn't even offer that sort of protection to begin with.

 

If you're a typical user and not trying to install sketchy apps etc, I wouldn't worry about it.

I appreciate all your responses and will check into the recommendations posted here. I agree that Apple does a good job with security, but I have never believed it was bullet proof.

My mom and dad are in their 80's with far too much to lose should they get hacked. If adding security software makes them happy then I'm all for having that little "insurance policy" provided by the software. ?

14 hours ago, Boomstick said:

That really couldn't be any further from the truth. In terms of the typical "dumb user" it is largely true but overall, just no. If you use the app store and only get trusted apps and not trying to run a server of any kind, you're pretty safe with Apple. They screen them pretty hard and ensure apps are up to date etc. unlike say Google who just approves everything despite the hidden keylogger or Microsoft who doesn't even offer that sort of protection to begin with.

 

If you're a typical user and not trying to install sketchy apps etc, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

As part of a shop that develops apps for web, (hem)Droid, and iOS, I can confirm this.  It sort of tosses a wrench in the continuous deployment model when you have to wait two months before getting bounced back because your screen shot was off by a pixel.  They are extremely picky, which is why shifting to an adaptive browser based app is the way to go (like BassResource.com does, just saying...).

11 minutes ago, J Francho said:

 

As part of a shop that develops apps for web, (hem)Droid, and iOS, I can confirm this.  It sort of tosses a wrench in the continuous deployment model when you have to wait two months before getting bounced back because your screen shot was off by a pixel.  They are extremely picky, which is why shifting to an adaptive browser based app is the way to go (like BassResource.com does, just saying...).

 

I don't do mobile development, but I have some other devs in my larger group who do. Apple is kind of a pain to get an app on the store and to keep it there in the long term as well,  but at the same time they're doing the users a favor. It's actually a great service for especially less computer savvy users.

 

For Google, we've had apps that were approved within minutes and remained available even though they didn't work with the last several Android versions. I always joke with my mobile dev friends about how long it might stay there if we ever put in a keylogger and have it email anything that looks like a credit card submission, but while I haven't hit that kind of rock bottom yet to ever try something like that (LOL add picture of Michael Douglas from Falling Down here) I have a feeling it might stay there a whole lot longer than one would think or hope.

If your keylogger is better than theirs, you may make a fortune when they buy it from you for their analytics, lol.