Do users need an antivirus for OS X? This is a question which has been hovering around for a while, the answer though, is different today than it was a few years ago. Chances are if you are a user of Apple’s popular OS, you might be mistaken to believe that you are well protected against viruses and other dangerous threats.
Although Apple has designed a built-in security system for the OS, has it been successful enough in keeping the system completely immune to malware and viruses? Or should you really consider some additional safeguard for your Mac?
Yes or No?
More of ‘Yes’ than ‘No’. It definitely is recommended that you get an antivirus for your Mac. Though it is not as vulnerable to threats as the Windows Operating System is, OS X isn’t as secure as it once used to be. While the built-in security system still does a pretty satisfying job in protecting the system, it is still far from capable of keeping all the malicious threats at bay.
According to the trend that is visible, it is set to get worse. However, for the home users that make up the majority of the population of Mac users, the built-in security system should suffice.
“But, I thought Mac OS X was incredibly safe..”
It absolutely was! Unlike Windows, Apple’s sandboxed OS makes it tougher to hack. In fact, a few years ago if Mac users ever installed an antivirus, it served hardly any purpose except preventing malware from passing on to Windows users.
For a long time, hackers either couldn’t find an exploit or weren’t necessarily bothered in doing so. However, it hasn’t been the case forever. Macs have been cracked and are now more vulnerable to malware and viruses than ever before. Although the majority of the risks still target Windows PCs, Apple user’s must be warned that it is their turn now!
So, what really happened? Why has the once almost immune OS become vulnerable today?
Like everyone in this world, hackers and cybercriminals have a purpose in doing what they do. And that being, accessing your information through the devices you use to later monetize them in one way or another.
For years since the launch of Apple’s Mac OS computers, hackers didn’t really have a reason to target them as they were pretty content with Windows PCs. However, since the popularity of the Mac OS X increased, attackers started utilizing their time and resources in exploiting it. As they got more and more successful in doing so, the demand for having additional protection for the Mac has gained popularity.
Should I consider getting an antivirus or am I safe enough without it?
As of now, if you are just a home user, it is highly unlikely that you would become a target of malware. A small percentage of Mac OS X users have ever been affected by a virus. Though, not to forget, the risks are there! In reality, it should be more of a concern for business owners running Macs, especially if they have a fleet of computers that also include Windows PCs. A malware or a virus might not easily affect an Apple computer, but it may pass on and cause a risk to the more vulnerable Windows PC.
While the chances of a malicious attack are still low, though increasing, if you have a lot of important stuff to risk, having an antivirus for OS x installed is a really small price to pay. With the ever-increasing risks of malware targeting Macs, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to at least have some kind of antivirus for OS X installed, even if it is a simple free one.
Since, we’ve come to the conclusion that having additional security on the Macintosh is a step in the right direction, what are the best antivirus for OS X out there?
There are tons of antivirus software out there in the market to choose from. Just like for the Windows, the big players – Kaspersky, Symantec and Avast provide pretty decent antivirus software for OS X as well. If you are looking for something that is free but still trustworthy in protecting your computer, we feel Sophos Antivirus is the perfect choice. However, if you want to step your game up further, you wouldn’t regret going with Bitdefender.
Are malware and viruses the only security threats to worry about on Mac OS X?
This is the most important question so far! While people are busy discussing the risks associated with operating systems, cyber culprits search for other ways to target naive victims. Neither Mac OS X, nor any other operating system protect its owners from bad decisions.
Threats these days are intelligently engineered in tricking the user into providing the desired information by themselves, or, in installing software that isn’t really what they claim to be, leading to compromise of information. The most common ways of targeting uninformed users are through spam emails and phishing websites. Once they are convinced in proceeding through what they are told to do, they might give out sensitive information in the form of usernames, passwords and in worst case scenarios, debit or credit card details.
Other than that, the possible threats one might face are spyware and adware. To keep yourself away from them, steps like ensuring the computer’s firewall is always enabled are pretty effective. Also, make sure you disable Java in your browser unless there is a requirement of running it. Keep your Mac and all the applications on it up to date and you should be good.
Apart from system threats, thefts are another common security problem. Macs tend to be expensive. Their worth plays a major role in them being potential targets. You wouldn’t be far too regretful if you have a password set for your device and all data backed-up. While losing a Mac is certainly depressing, giving away sensitive information stored on it might be a lot more critical. After all, prevention is always better than a cure!
Regulators in the UK have taken a step closer to formal crypto oversight. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has opened consultations on new rules governing stablecoins and the custody of digital assets. The proposals are part of an effort to establish a safer, more transparent environment for crypto services…
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Regulators in the UK have taken a step closer to
formal crypto oversight. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has opened consultations on new rules governing stablecoins and the custody of
digital assets. The proposals are part of an effort to establish a
safer, more transparent environment for crypto services… Read More
close Video Deepfake technology ‘is getting so easy now’: Cybersecurity expert Cybersecurity expert Morgan Wright breaks down the dangers of deepfake video technology on ‘Unfiltered.’ NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Imagine your phone rings and the voice on the other end sounds just like your boss, a close friend, or even a
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Deepfake technology ‘is getting so easy now’: Cybersecurity expert
Cybersecurity expert Morgan Wright breaks down the dangers of deepfake video technology on ‘Unfiltered.’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Imagine your phone rings and the voice on the other end sounds just like your boss, a close friend, or even a government official. They urgently ask for sensitive information, except it’s not really them. It’s a deepfake, powered by AI, and you’re the target of a sophisticated scam. These kinds of attacks are happening right now, and they’re getting more convincing every day.
That’s the warning sounded by the 2025 AI Security Report, unveiled at the RSA Conference (RSAC), one of the world’s biggest gatherings for cybersecurity experts, companies, and law enforcement. The report details how criminals are harnessing artificial intelligence to impersonate people, automate scams, and attack security systems on a massive scale.
From hijacked AI accounts and manipulated models to live video scams and data poisoning, the report paints a picture of a rapidly evolving threat landscape, one that’s touching more lives than ever before.
Join The FREE CyberGuy Report: Get my expert tech tips, critical security alerts, and exclusive deals – plus instant access to my free Ultimate Scam Survival Guide when you sign up!
Illustration of cybersecurity risks.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
AI tools are leaking sensitive data
One of the biggest risks of using AI tools is what users accidentally share with them. A recent analysis by cybersecurity firm Check Point found that 1 in every 80 AI prompts includes high-risk data, and about 1 in 13 contains sensitive information that could expose users or organizations to security or compliance risks.
This data can include passwords, internal business plans, client information, or proprietary code. When shared with AI tools that are not secured, this information can be logged, intercepted, or even leaked later.
Deepfake scams are now real-time and multilingual
AI-powered impersonation is getting more advanced every month. Criminals can now fake voices and faces convincingly in real time. In early 2024, a British engineering firm lost 20 million pounds after scammers used live deepfake video to impersonate company executives during a Zoom call. The attackers looked and sounded like trusted leaders and convinced an employee to transfer funds.
Real-time video manipulation tools are now being sold on criminal forums. These tools can swap faces and mimic speech during video calls in multiple languages, making it easier for attackers to run scams across borders.
Illustration of a person video conferencing on their laptop.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
AI is running phishing and scam operations at scale
Social engineering has always been a part of cybercrime. Now, AI is automating it. Attackers no longer need to speak a victim’s language, stay online constantly, or manually write convincing messages.
Tools like GoMailPro use ChatGPT to create phishing and spam emails with perfect grammar and native-sounding tone. These messages are far more convincing than the sloppy scams of the past. GoMailPro can generate thousands of unique emails, each slightly different in language and urgency, which helps them slip past spam filters. It is actively marketed on underground forums for around $500 per month, making it widely accessible to bad actors.
Another tool, the X137 Telegram Console, leverages Gemini AI to monitor and respond to chat messages automatically. It can impersonate customer support agents or known contacts, carrying out real-time conversations with multiple targets at once. The replies are uncensored, fast, and customized based on the victim’s responses, giving the illusion of a human behind the screen.
AI is also powering large-scale sextortion scams. These are emails that falsely claim to have compromising videos or photos and demand payment to prevent them from being shared. Instead of using the same message repeatedly, scammers now rely on AI to rewrite the threat in dozens of ways. For example, a basic line like “Time is running out” might be reworded as “The hourglass is nearly empty for you,” making the message feel more personal and urgent while also avoiding detection.
By removing the need for language fluency and manual effort, these AI tools allow attackers to scale their phishing operations dramatically. Even inexperienced scammers can now run large, personalized campaigns with almost no effort.
Stolen AI accounts are sold on the dark web
With AI tools becoming more popular, criminals are now targeting the accounts that use them. Hackers are stealing ChatGPT logins, OpenAI API keys, and other platform credentials to bypass usage limits and hide their identity. These accounts are often stolen through malware, phishing, or credential stuffing attacks. The stolen credentials are then sold in bulk on Telegram channels and underground forums. Some attackers are even using tools that can bypass multi-factor authentication and session-based security protections. These stolen accounts allow criminals to access powerful AI tools and use them for phishing, malware generation, and scam automation.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS ON THE DARK WEB
Illustration of a person signing into their laptop.(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
MALWARE STEALS BANK CARDS AND PASSWORDS FROM MILLIONS OF DEVICES
Jailbreaking AI is now a common tactic
Criminals are finding ways to bypass the safety rules built into AI models. On the dark web, attackers share techniques for jailbreaking AI so it will respond to requests that would normally be blocked. Common methods include:
Telling the AI to pretend it is a fictional character that has no rules or limitations
Phrasing dangerous questions as academic or research-related scenarios
Asking for technical instructions using less obvious wording so the request doesn’t get flagged
Some AI models can even be tricked into jailbreaking themselves. Attackers prompt the model to create input that causes it to override its own restrictions. This shows how AI systems can be manipulated in unexpected and dangerous ways.
AI-generated malware is entering the mainstream
AI is now being used to build malware, phishing kits, ransomware scripts, and more. Recently, a group called FunkSac was identified as the leading ransomware gang using AI. Its leader admitted that at least 20% of their attacks are powered by AI. FunkSec has also used AI to help launch attacks that flood websites or services with fake traffic, making them crash or go offline. These are known as denial-of-service attacks. The group even created its own AI-powered chatbot to promote its activities and communicate with victims on its public website..
Some cybercriminals are even using AI to help with marketing and data analysis after an attack. One tool called Rhadamanthys Stealer 0.7 claimed to use AI for “text recognition” to sound more advanced, but researchers later found it was using older technology instead. This shows how attackers use AI buzzwords to make their tools seem more advanced or trustworthy to buyers.
Other tools are more advanced. One example is DarkGPT, a chatbot built specifically to sort through huge databases of stolen information. After a successful attack, scammers often end up with logs full of usernames, passwords, and other private details. Instead of sifting through this data manually, they use AI to quickly find valuable accounts they can break into, sell, or use for more targeted attacks like ransomware.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web
Poisoned AI models are spreading misinformation
Sometimes, attackers do not need to hack an AI system. Instead, they trick it by feeding it false or misleading information. This tactic is called AI poisoning, and it can cause the AI to give biased, harmful, or completely inaccurate answers. There are two main ways this happens:
Training poisoning: Attackers sneak false or harmful data into the model during development
Retrieval poisoning: Misleading content online gets planted, which the AI later picks up when generating answers
In 2024, attackers uploaded 100 tampered AI models to the open-source platform Hugging Face. These poisoned models looked like helpful tools, but when people used them, they could spread false information or output malicious code.
A large-scale example came from a Russian propaganda group called Pravda, which published more than 3.6 million fake articles online. These articles were designed to trick AI chatbots into repeating their messages. In tests, researchers found that major AI systems echoed these false claims about 33% of the time.
Illustration of a hacker at work(Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
HOW SCAMMERS USE AI TOOLS TO FILE PERFECT-LOOKING TAX RETURNS IN YOUR NAME
How to protect yourself from AI-driven cyber threats
AI-powered cybercrime blends realism, speed, and scale. These scams are not just harder to detect. They are also easier to launch. Here’s how to stay protected:
1) Avoid entering sensitive data into public AI tools: Never share passwords, personal details, or confidential business information in any AI chat, even if it seems private. These inputs can sometimes be logged or misused.
2) Use strong antivirus software: AI-generated phishing emails and malware can slip past outdated security tools. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
3) Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA):2FA adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts, including AI platforms. It makes it much harder for attackers to break in using stolen passwords.
4) Be extra cautious with unexpected video calls or voice messages: If something feels off, even if the person seems familiar, verify before taking action. Deepfake audio and video can sound and look very real.
5) Use a personal data removal service: With AI-powered scams and deepfake attacks on the rise, criminals are increasingly relying on publicly available personal information to craft convincing impersonations or target victims with personalized phishing. By using a reputable personal data removal service, you can reduce your digital footprint on data broker sites and public databases. This makes it much harder for scammers to gather the details they need to convincingly mimic your identity or launch targeted AI-driven attacks.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap – and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
6) Consider identity theft protection: If your data is leaked through a scam, early detection is key. Identity protection services can monitor your information and alert you to suspicious activity. Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
7) Regularly monitor your financial accounts: AI-generated phishing, malware, and account takeover attacks are now more sophisticated and widespread than ever, as highlighted in the 2025 AI Security Report. By frequently reviewing your bank and credit card statements for suspicious activity, you can catch unauthorized transactions early, often before major damage is done. Quick detection is crucial, especially since stolen credentials a
Speaking at a side event during the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, Saylor called the transparency trend “a bad idea.” He warned that proof of reserves could endanger investors and institutions alike. “Publishing wallet addresses is like handing over a treasure map,” Saylor said. “It dilutes the security of the issuer…
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Speaking at a side event during the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, Saylor called the transparency trend “a bad idea.” He warned that proof of reserves could endanger investors and institutions alike. “Publishing wallet addresses is like handing over a treasure map,” Saylor said. “It dilutes the security of the issuer… Read More
Key Takeaways Hackers compromised Migos’ Instagram to expose Solana co-founder Raj Gokal’s personal data. A 40 Bitcoin ransom was demanded by the attackers who threatened Gokal after the breach. Share this article The official Instagram account of the famous hip-hop group Migos was apparently hacked on Monday, with the page briefly turning into a leaked
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Key Takeaways
Hackers compromised Migos’ Instagram to expose Solana co-founder Raj Gokal’s personal data.
A 40 Bitcoin ransom was demanded by the attackers who threatened Gokal after the breach.
Share this article
The official Instagram account of the famous hip-hop group Migos was apparently hacked on Monday, with the page briefly turning into a leaked site for sensitive personal information belonging to Solana co-founder Raj Gokal.
According to Andy, co-founder of The Rollup, the compromised account, which has over 13 million followers, posted a series of photos of alleged IDs, passport scans, and other private data linked to Gokal and another individual identified as “Arvind.”
BREAKING:
Famous rapper ‘Migos’ IG account appears to be hacked and has posted photos of Solana co-founder @rajgokal ID, passport, & more with sensitive info leaked.
Caption reads “you should’ve paid the 40 btc” which reads like a failed bribe. pic.twitter.com/HM9y2XRjMa
— Andy (@ayyyeandy) May 27, 2025
The leaked documents were paired with threatening captions and explicit references to an unpaid crypto ransom, including one post stating, “you should’ve paid the 40 btc,” indicating a failed extortion effort.
The hackers also modified the account’s bio to promote a meme coin scam and shared Telegram links and audio files. One post taunted the victims by referencing their Solana token holdings.
Andy said that the compromised content was visible for about 90 minutes before removal.
Commenting on Andy’s report, blockchain investigator ZachXBT noted that the extortion attempt appeared to follow a week of coordinated social engineering efforts targeting Raj Gokal.
Thanks for actually blurring the personal info unlike every other account on CT.
Think Raj’s personal accounts got social engineered and they tried to extort him for funds with the PII obtained. Guess he didn’t pay so they started trolling and posted it after they compromised… pic.twitter.com/Cj2a2yAFa6
— ZachXBT (@zachxbt) May 27, 2025
Gokal has not released an official statement. However, his earlier X posts indicated awareness of attempts to breach his personal and professional systems prior to the incident.
Migos’ Instagram account has since returned to normal operation.
