AV-Comparatives release list of compatible antivirus programs for Apple Silicon Macs
Blogpost shows how the new Mac platform may be vulnerable to malware attacks
INNSBRUCK, TYROL, AUSTRIA, September 6, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — Tirol-based independent security-testing lab AV-Comparatives has published a blogpost detailing its research into compatible anti-malware software for Mac computers with the Apple Silicon M1 processor. The post includes a description of the technical differences between Intel-based and Apple Silicon Macs, and the apps that run on them. It goes on to explain why the new Apple platform is still vulnerable to malware. A total of 15 popular Mac antivirus programs demonstrated their compatibility with the new Apple platform. All were put through a series of checks to determine whether they work as expected. The procedure did not attempt to determine malware-detection rates, but to be listed as compatible, the apps had to detect at least some of the highly prevalent Mac malware samples they were confronted with, as a proof of concept to illustrate they worked on the new platform.
To demonstrate compatibility, the apps had to fulfil all the following requirements:
• Install successfully without requiring specialist technical knowledge or workarounds
• Provide clear instructions for granting necessary permissions in the macOS Settings app
• Activate real-time protection
• Successfully update malware signatures, either automatically or manually
• Allow the user to log in to the vendor’s user account where necessary
• Warn if real-time protection is disabled, and let the user reactivate it easily
• Detect at least some of the highly prevalent Mac malware samples, on or before execution
• Display appropriate detection alerts
• Delete or quarantine detected malware samples
Further details of the functionality test, including vendor support for support for the apps, can be found in AV-Comparatives’ blogpost. This additionally includes background information on the Apple Silicon platform and its technical advances. The post also explains how different types of apps – including malicious ones – can be run on the new platform.
Details of apps passing this compatibility check can be found in AV-Comparatives’ blogpost.
Peter Stelzahmmer
AV-Comparatives
72011720
media@av-comparatives.org
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