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Mac owners will need to stay vigilant this year, according to the2025 State of Malware reportreleased byMalwarebytes.

In the past, Mac owners could rely on Apples stringent protections and macOS' built-in antivirusXProtect.

MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch) on a patio table

Now, though malware has evolved with theassistance of AIto become increasingly more effective and dangerous.

Which means you are your own best line of defense.

Your best protection is to be extremely careful about where you download or acquire your software.

A hacker typing quickly on a keyboard

Stick to the Mac App Store, followed only by legitimate websites of trusted developers.

Always enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication, and for added protection, use apassword managerorVPNif possible.

MacBook Pro 2023

Green skull on smartphone screen.

A picture of a skull made from computer code depicting a malware infection

Zoom call on MacBook

Graphic screen displaying malware detection warning

iPhone X in hand

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