AI-Driven Anxiety: Is Anything Truly Safe on My Mac Anymore?

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AI-Driven Anxiety: Is Anything Truly Safe on My Mac Anymore?

Fellow Mac Users, I'm posting this with a mix of anxiety and genuine concern about the current state of digital security. With AI rapidly advancing, the threat of cyberattacks feels more sophisticated and personal than ever before. Honestly, some days I feel like disconnecting completely, but our lives are now so deeply integrated with technology that stepping away is nearly impossible. Technology is essential, but feeling secure is paramount.

I rely on my Mac for everything—from work files and documents to personal photos and financial details. While I know Apple's built-in security is robust, I'm constantly looking for the best supplementary protection against Malware and broader Internet Security threats.

I've tested a couple of popular options like Avast One Basic (link: and Malwarebytes (link: but they quickly push you toward paid subscriptions.

I am looking for the community's best free or one-time purchase solution to help me secure my Mac and data, so I can truly feel safe in this new AI era.

What are your go-to, non-intrusive apps or best practices for protecting your Mac? Any advice for a user who just wants peace of mind would be immensely helpful. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts!

[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Nov 6, 2025 5:49 AM

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Answer 1

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HWTech

Level 9

68,444 points

Nov 6, 2025 1:34 PM in response to jasveer292

There is absolutely no need for any third party AV, cleaning/optimizer apps, or security software. macOS has great built-in security as long as the user does their part & practice safe computing habits such as those outlined in the following article:

Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community

I recommend the same thing to Windows users these days.

Most consumer level anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimzier apps, & third party security software are taking your money as well as selling your personal information. In fact Avast was caught not once, but at least two times selling people's personal information. In fact Avast and several other AV apps are all owned by the same company these days. While once respectable & needed on Windows back in the day.....most of these third parties now provide terrible products & service while selling your personal information.

In addition the installation of these junk apps actually reduces your system's security and many times will cause all sorts of random intermittent issues including performance issues & system crashes. Unfortunately I'm not finding the two articles related to the anti-virus app itself (I have links to them on this forum somewhere), but the following two articles show they haven't changed even after the browser fiasco.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/01/avast-kills-off-jumpshot-the-subsidiary-that-sold-all-your-web-data/

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/02/avast-ordered-to-stop-selling-browsing-data-from-its-browsing-privacy-apps/

These companies prey on fear so separate you from your hard earned money....they have no scruples or morals anymore.

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