is it easier to get a virus on mac or linux

“Malwarebytes saw more Mac malware in 2017 than in any previous year.” Despite this, there are still tech pundits who recklessly advise against taking even basic security precautions, such as installing a cybersecurity program. Another thing protecting Macs is the fact that they’re less popular than PCs, but that doesn’t stop some hackers from targeting Macs. By design, the Mac operating system is more secure against the threat of viruses and malware, but there are still plenty of ways for malware to find its way in. While it’s true Macs are more secure than PCs, they’re still vulnerable to viruses, and they always have been. Apple itself even reassured its customers for years that Macs “don’t get viruses.” It even said so in a series of commercials that first aired in 2006. Historically, Mac fans have touted their platform as immune to the kinds of data attacks and other hostile intrusions that plague the Windows world. Since Linux is open source rather than proprietary, you don't have to worry about the desktop itself working against you, acting as spyware itself or suffering from exploits that haven't been disclosed for commercial reasons.Įven if you can't make sense of the code, you can read the blog posts or reports by someone that does.If you’re a Mac user, you get mixed messages about whether viruses and other malicious software pose a bona fide threat. The primary advantage of Linux comes from being able to view the code. The Source Code Is Open for Anyone to Read The new Wayland display server can prevents apps from taking screenshots or recording happens onscreen, making it harder to exploit. New app formats like Flatpak and Snap introduce permissions and sandboxing, limiting what apps can access. Newer Technologies Actively Consider Security

As long as you get all of your software from these trusted sources, you're very unlikely to run into anything malicious.Īvoid copying and pasting command line instructions to install software, especially when you don't know exactly what the command is doing and you're unsure of the source. Traditional Linux package management systems put app maintainers and reviewers between users and their software source. App Stores and Package Managers Shield Linux Users

Is it easier to get a virus on mac or linux