For years, the standard advice was simple: install an antivirus program the moment you get a new computer. But in 2026, both Windows and macOS come with strong built‑in security tools. So people naturally ask: Do I still need a third‑party antivirus like Avast or McAfee? The answer – no, you probably do not.
What Windows and macOS Already Do Well
Modern operating systems aren’t the soft targets they used to be.
Windows Defender (now called Windows Security) provides real‑time malware scanning, firewall integration, phishing protection, and ransomware defenses. It updates automatically, doesn’t nag you with ads, and is tightly integrated into the system.
macOS has its own layered security approach.
Tools like XProtect, Gatekeeper, System Integrity Protection, and app sandboxing work quietly in the background to block known malware, prevent untrusted apps from running, and limit what software can access. Apple’s built‑in protections are genuinely strong.
For many people, these built‑in tools are enough — especially if they stick to official app stores, avoid sketchy downloads, and keep their systems updated.
Where Built‑In Protection Falls Short
Even though Windows and macOS are far more secure than they used to be, attackers have adapted. Malware authors now target browsers, fake download sites, malicious ads, and trojanized installers. Recent Mac‑specific threats like Atomic Stealer and Banshee Stealer show that macOS is no longer “too small to bother with.”
The type of attack that catches most of our Canmore Seniors involves you clicking on an email that is sent to you. Or clicking on a notification that pops up. The email or notification doesn’t do it – you clicking on it does.
We have had seniors call a phone number that comes up in one of these popups, and give control over to a third party that claims to be Microsoft or McAfee. This is dangerous, and is usually a very bad idea. If you get a popup that says “you have a virus, click here”. DO.NOT.CLICK.THERE! Just call one of the IT Doctors and we’ll sort it out for you.