Apple’s modern operating systems are Unix-based operating systems with advanced core architectures and strong multi-layered security and privacy protections designed into the system from the lowest levels up, rather than as an afterthought as with some other mainstream operating systems. Here are a few different technologies included in Apple’s operating systems that restrict access to critical resources and protect you (there are others I haven't bothered to mention): Unix security XProtect Explained: How Your Mac’s Built-in Anti-malware Software Works About System Integrity Protection on your Mac About Gatekeeper And Apple has in-depth documentation about all of the security and privacy protections baked into their platforms right on their website if you’d like to learn more: Apple Platform Security Another thing you should consider is that there have been zero OS X viruses in the wild since its initial release back in 2001. A computer virus is a type of malicious software that, when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code. The only OS X viruses in existence are proof-of-concepts written by security researchers to prove that it could be done. Only one so far in all of these years, named Oompa-Loompa (also called OSX/Oomp-A or Leap.A), actually fits the true definition of a virus - and even then, very loosely, because it was never actually able to spread in the wild over the internet. It was limited to local networks (like your home network) and couldn't spread over the internet. And it required the receiving computer's user to interactively click a link in iChat to download it to their computer, interactively open the downloaded file, and interactively supply administrator credentials to install it for it to be successful. For these reasons, it never was able to spread far, even on the few occasions it was found in the wild. The vast majority of macOS malware in the wild today are in the form of trojans: apps that pretend to be legitimate apps - typically pirated copies of commercial apps, or third-party apps downloaded from unsavory paces like CNET Downloads, VersionTracker, or MacUpdate with installers that have been stealthily modified by those download services to bundle malware with them. And the majority of such macOS trojan malware is adware that modifies the behavior of web browsers to spy on your browsing behavior and inject ads into pages displayed by the web browser. And all of them require the user to be tricked into interactively downloading and installing them, as well as interactively entering administrator credentials when prompted, to successfully infect a target Mac. In other words, they all rely on simple social engineering to work. Not only are most antivirus products relatively useless on Macs (for instance many of them primarily look for Windows malware that doesn't even exist or run on macOS), but they are also notorious for being incredibly buggy and introducing their own security and privacy issues making your computer less secure as well as reducing your computer’s performance and stability. Meanwhile, the media just loves to write endless streams of articles attempting to scare Mac users into buying and installing antivirus utilities. See: Wolf! for some examples. Don't bother with third-party antivirus products unless you are experiencing a problem with symptoms that are tied directly to adware or malware. And never assume that a software malfunction is due to malware before doing the due diligence to diagnose the issue fully. As long as you use safe computing practices, you really don't need to worry much about Mac malware. Here are some common sense safe computing practices everyone should follow: always install security updates in a timely manner after they are released always run an ad blocker (like 1Blocker, AdGuard, or AdBlock Plus) in your web browser so that you won't see distracting advertising as well as unsolicited pop-up windows that claim you are somehow "infected” or "missing some video software" and therefore need to download and install some piece of untrusted software on your computer to fix some supposed "problem” they supposedly "detected" - and if you do still see these, don't fall for them as they are obvious scams always refrain from downloading and installing software from untrusted sources - instead go directly to the software maker's website or to the official App Store If you ever do suspect you've accidentally installed something nefarious: Head over to the MalwareBytes website: https://www.malwarebytes.com/ Download and temporarily install the free MalwareBytes app (you don't need to purchase it, since the free downloadable version is all you need). Use MalwareBytes to scan your computer (it does a fine job of removing known macOS malware, including adware and other obnoxious unwanted software that can spy on your browsing habits and negatively affect your computer's stability and performance). Once it's done, choose Uninstall from the Malwarebytes Help menu to uninstall it from your computer - because, yes, even MalwareBytes has had security vulnerabilities and performance issues on Macs. More on reddit.com

I'm considering an antivirus for my mac - there seems to be a lot of information (some of it contradictory) when doing research. Does anyone have experience with AVG (http://www.avg.com/us-en/homepage) and how effective it is? More on discussions.apple.com

I think AVG is from the same company as Avast, I believe that AVG and Avast are in the end the same thing...

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yes. More on reddit.com