Menu ☰ Apple computers can seem very different and odd to a Microsoft user - and the same the other way round of course. This is very much down to their very different Operating Systems (OSs) and their ways of working, but Apple Mac and iOS are really just like any other operating system; they have pretty much all of the same things to do that any OS has to do, they just do it their own way. The User Interface (UI) is also quite different, as is the mouse - if you have one. The same goes for Linux and some other not so common OSs, like Unix. In fact, Apple, Linux and most other OSs - other than Microsoft - were originally based on the Unix OS and have been developed from this over many years and no longer closely resemble the essentially industrial OS that Unix is. This is good news, as Unix is a very stable, reliable and generally safe OS. Most people tend to belong to either Windows or Apple camps; not many use both, or switch between one and the other, but some need to. To do so, some use what is called a 'virtual machine', which allow you to run software that emulates a different Operating System, or environment, so that you can run a 'virtual Apple Mac' on a Windows PC, or vice-versa. This 'virtual machine' software can also be used to create a safer environment to work in, as if an error occurs, or a virus is downloaded, it only affects the 'virtual' computer and disappears as soon as you close it down and go back to normal or start a new virtual session, or re-start your machine. These are for specialist use though and not generally for the general public, as they can be complex and difficult - though some commercially available software actually requires a virtual environment, so it's possible you might have come across it. If you are an Apple Mac user, especially in a commercial environment, access to Windows programs and being able to easily view and share Windows format files, can be very important and convenient. There is software available that can make this easy, without having to go down the more manual virtual machine route, such as Parallels Windows on Mac software. This makes Windows software and files very easy to access and share, it even being possible to drag and drop between your Mac and Windows desktops. For most people though, if you have an Apple computer, you are very likely to be very happy with it just the way it is and quite likely to be in the art, design, or graphics business, or linked to it, as that is one of the traditional strengths of these machines and their software. Or maybe you were just brought up with it and that is what you are happy with. Whatever the reason, they are very good machines. However, although the user base is smaller than for Windows, and Mac OS being based on Unix, that does not mean that you can ignore security, as it is still very worthwhile criminals targeting Apple devices, especially as people are often brand loyal (even more so with Apple) and someone who has an Apple Mac or laptop, is very likely to have an iPhone as well. Of course, iPhones themselves are extremely popular and has massively increase the Apple iOS user base and almost certainly turned a lot of people into 'Apple enthusiasts' and encouraged the purchase of many an Apple MacBook laptop or Apple Mac. So, although Apple Macs, MacBooks, iPads and iPhones may be a little bit safer than a Windows or Android device, straight out of the box, due to the way that Mac OS and iOS has been built on a Unix base and developed over the years, they are absolutely invulnerable and, as iPhones have vastly extended the Apple brand popularity and that of their other products and therefore their Operating Systems, it has also increased the vulnerability of Apple products, simply due to the greatly increased user base of Mac/i OS, in all of it's varieties and releases. This has made it far more of interest to the criminal community! So, get to know your device and it's operating system, options and settings if you want to keep your devices and data safe - and get an Internet Security Suite or two installed! Of course, the main vulnerability is with the , rather than the device, so all of the other information about being 'web aware' and about scams etc., on our site is just as important and relevant whether you are using an Apple device, or a Windows or Android device. 1. Make sure you keep your OS up to date, including any patches. Check your security settings and make sure it is set to automatically download any updates and patches. To see if your OS is up to date (for MacOS Mojave (10.14.6), or Catalina (10.15.4)), go to 'System Preferences' from the 'Apple' menu and click on 'Software Update'. If you're running an earlier version, such as High Sierra (10.13.6), Sierra (10.12.6), or earlier, you should consider updating to Mojave. if you can't, or don't want to, check that your current version is up to date by opening the 'App Store' app, click 'Updates' in the Toolbar and downloading and installing any available updates shown, until there are no more listed. To automatically update in the future, go to the 'Apple' menu, 'System Preferences', click on the 'App Store' and select “Download newly available updates in the background”. You will then be notified when updates are ready to install. If your system states that your OS is up to date, that also includes Books, Calendar, Mail, Messages, Photos, Safari, iTunes and FaceTime. 2. Although not generally thought necessary for Apple Devices - and not available in the same way or quantity as for Windows and Android - there some Antivirus and AntiSpyware utilities for Apple and are a useful addition to the already strong and safe Mac or iOS environment. Check out AVG Internet Security for Mac, Vipre for Mac and Malwarebytes for Mac.

• Avast Premium Security
• AVG Antivirus for Mac
• Avira Free Security for Mac
• Avira Prime
• Bitdefender Total Security
• Clario Antivirus for Mac
• Eset Cyber Security Pro
• F-Secure Total
• Intego Mac Internet Security
• Kaspersky Total Security for Mac
• MacKeeper Security
• Malwarebytes Premium for Macs
• McAfee Total Protection
• Norton 360 Deluxe
• Sophos Home Premium for Mac
• Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac

3. The most important thing though, as for anyone using the internet, whatever device you're using, is to be aware of all the tricks that hackers and scam artists use to get into your system, or trick you in other ways. Go to our Be Web Aware page. The tips and advice here are just as useful and important to Apple users as they are to Windows or Android users. Back to Top