Got an email today to remind me that my Bitdefender sub will expire in seven weeks. I looked in the taskbar for its icon, but didn’t find it. Didn’t find its app, either. Hmm. Clicked the link in the email to go to my account. No password stored in Bitwarden nor Safari. So I reset the password and logged in. It showed two Mac mini devices, one protected and one not.
I replaced my old Mac mini with a new one 11 months ago. I restored the new one from a backup of the old, but evidently Bitdefender didn’t come along on that ride and I neglected to install it. I haven’t missed it. I’m very cautious about security in my UI actions related to email, websites, and downloads. Should I keep my $50/yr. subscription?
I’d say it depends on how your computer is used and what kind of data is stored on your computer.
Some things that would lead me to install an anti-virus package include:
Sending or receiving files with Windows users
Routinely downloading file types that often are virus vectors, such as .pdf, .jpg, .doc, and .xls
Any business use of your machine
Any storage of sensitive or irreplaceable data or files
Frequent use of public Wi-Fi networks
If you’re dead set against installing anti-virus software, you can at least run downloads you think are risky through VirusTotal, assuming you have good upstream bandwidth. It would also be a good idea to install SilentKnight, a utility that allows you to manually check the anti-malware features of macOS instead of relying on Apple’s invisible update schedule.
In any case, I’ve come to strongly believe being “cautious” is no longer enough on its own for security. For example, ad banners are a common delivery mechanism for malware and zero-click exploits are specifically designed to not require any user action to activate. Plus antivirus software can help you avoid passing on malware to others via email and messaging.
Also, we are all human and we make mistakes, especially when we are in a rush, distracted, tired, or upset. Relying on constant vigilance as sole protection requires perfection. I don’t think any of us can reach that standard very often, especially with something that is constantly changing and morphing.
There is absolutely no need for third-party anti-malware programs anymore. The Mac’s Gatekeeper does every bit as much as any of the older add-on packages.
That said, the REAL danger is hacked websites, phishing emails and texts - things that you unwittingly opt into.
(Recently retired from 40 years in IT and 13 years in cybersecurity)
Thanks, @Halfsmoke and @TonyTownsend and ChatGPT. I decided to not renew my sub. For those interested, I note that at the end of the relatively arduous process to turn off auto-renewal, I was offered a discount from $50 to $30 for the next cycle (year).