Do Macs need antivirus software?

While historically considered secure, Macs have seen a rise in new malware families in recent years, posing new security risks for users. While Apple has integrated several security measures, such as Gatekeeper and XProtect, into its macOS to protect against these threats, there have been instances when malware infiltrated the platform. To boost protection, users are advised to keep their operating system updated, avoid public Wi-Fi networks and the use of Flash, and be mindful of phishing emails and social media scams.