Think your Mac is invincible? Think again. Get some antivirus protection for your Apple.

OB Roundup

Mac users are lucky enough to miss out on some of the heartbreak that's part of the Windows experience. They will never, for example, have to suffer the confusion of Windows 8 or the madness of Windows RT. But many also don't experience the joy of installing antivirus software perhaps because they think they're already safe. Johnny Ive may have crafted an iPhone that's "beautifully, unapologetically plastic, " but no one has made a computer that can't be attacked.

It's true that there are fewer threats out there for Macs, and that OS X includes many built-in protections. That doesn't mean that an attacker couldn't, for example, hijack your computer. Or that you couldn't pick up a piece of Windows malware in a stray USB drive, and end up becoming an infection vector for your friends. Or that you couldn't encounter a phishing site that dupes you into giving away your personal information. Developers make their operating systems strong, but antivirus is your last layer of protection.

More Than Mac Protection
While the list of viruses and other malware targeted at OS X is short, Windows and even Linux malware pose a threat to your Mac, too. These nefarious programs may not always be able to run on your Mac, but they aren't doing you any good by taking up space, either. Also, advanced malware can sometimes use your Mac as an infection vector for Windows or Linux computers, hitching a ride in an email or on a USB drive.

To combat these sneaky malicious programs, some Mac antivirus apps scan for Windows and Linux malware to keep your computer tidy, and your friends safe. Best of all, two independent labs, AV-Test Institute and AV-Comparatives, have confirmed that Mac antivirus actually works.

But why stop with just your Mac? Some of the antivirus apps we've tested and reviewed here will automatically scan attached storage devices for unwanted travelers. Even attached iOS devices will be checked to ensure nothing untoward is hiding amongst your many apps.

Firewall and Browser
Malware on your Mac is one thing, but the Web poses many more threats. You could get hit by browser-based attacks or a phishing site that tricks you into handing over your personal information. You need extra protection when you're online.

Many Mac antivirus apps will keep your Web activity covered, either by scanning your Web traffic or with a URL advisor, which rates URLs in search engine results, letting you know which are safe to click.

Source: www.pcmag.com