For many years, Mac users have believed that their machines are immune to viruses and other forms of malware. To some extent, this belief made sense, especially in the earlier days of these desktop operating systems, as most viruses targeted Windows due to its larger user base. However, with Macs now holding a market share close to 20%, they are also becoming prime targets for malware as well.
In this article, we will explore the security capabilities of these two operating systems to help you determine which is best for you if security is your top priority. We will discuss the built-in security features of each OS to determine their reliability in dealing with the constantly evolving threats.
Finally, we will provide recommendations on how to enhance the security of each system. But first, let’s examine how security-conscious Mac and PC users are.
Windows Vs Mac Users Security Consciousness
According to a recent survey by All About Cookies, these are some of the key findings:
| Security Measure | Windows Users | Mac Users |
| Antivirus Software Installation | 57% | 34% |
| Use of Two-factor Authentication | 49% | 63% |
| VPN Usage | 24% | 38% |
| Antispyware Software Installation | 20% | 9% |
| Password Managers Usage | 32% | 32% |
| Immediate OS Updates | 48% | 34% |
| Use of Unsafe Public WiFi | 52% | 44% |
From the above results, it is clear that users on both platforms practice different behaviors when it comes to securing their devices and data. PC users tend to prioritize installing antivirus and antispyware software, while Mac users are more inclined towards implementing two-factor authentication and using VPNs.
Interestingly, both Windows and Mac users demonstrate similar levels of adoption when it comes to utilizing password managers, but PC users are more proactive in immediately installing operating system updates and are slightly more prone to using unsafe public WiFi networks.
Built-in Security Features
Let’s explore the major built-in security features for each platform
macOS Built-in Security Features
1. Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper is a security feature in macOS designed to protect users from downloading and installing malicious software. It works by checking the code signature of applications to ensure they come from trusted developers. When a user attempts to install an application, Gatekeeper verifies its digital signature, and if it’s from an identified developer or the Mac App Store, the installation proceeds without issue.
If the application is from an unknown or untrusted source, Gatekeeper will display a warning and give the user the option to proceed or cancel the installation. macOS also requires inputting a password before installing any application.
2. XProtect
XProtect is Apple’s built-in antivirus system for macOS. It functions by automatically scanning (in real time) files from the internet or connected drives for known malware signatures and behaviors. If XProtect detects a file that matches the signature of a known malicious software or exhibits suspicious behavior, it will block the file from being opened and display a warning to the user.
3. FileVault
FileVault is a disk encryption feature in macOS that provides full-disk encryption for the user’s data. When FileVault is enabled, all the data on the Mac’s hard drive is encrypted using a secure encryption algorithm. This ensures that even if the device is lost or stolen, the data stored on the hard drive remains inaccessible without the user’s password or recovery key.
4. Firewall
macOS has a built-in firewall that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. It helps prevent unauthorized access to the Mac by blocking unwanted network connections and filtering incoming data packets. Users can configure the firewall settings to allow or block specific applications or services from accessing their device network.
5. Safari Security Features
Safari, the default web browser on macOS, is equipped with several security features including, Private Browsing and Intelligent Tracking Prevention to block data collection and tracking across websites. Safari also provides Privacy Reports to inform users about data usage by websites.
It also protects against link tracking by removing extra information from URLs shared in Messages and Mail. It also enhances app and photo privacy by allowing users to share specific photos while keeping the rest of their library private. Finally, it also has Private Relay, which encrypts your traffic when accessing websites with Safari just like a VPN.
6. Secure Boot and System Integrity Protection (SIP)
These features work together to safeguard the macOS system files and ensure that only trusted software is loaded during the boot process. Secure Boot verifies the integrity of the macOS operating system, while System Integrity Protection prevents unauthorized modifications to critical system components.
7. Recording Alerts
macOS shows an audio or video recording symbol in the menu bar when apps attempt to access the microphone or camera, giving users awareness and control over potential privacy breaches. These alerts help users identify and block unauthorized attempts to access their device microphone and webcam.
8. Mail Privacy Protection
With this feature, macOS enhances users’ email privacy by preventing senders from knowing when an email is opened and masking IP addresses to prevent tracking. Mail Privacy Protection helps users control their digital footprint and protect their privacy while communicating via email. macOS also has a hide-my-email feature that allows users to share autogenerated emails instead of their actual ones.
9. Find My Mac
Like Find My iPhone, this feature enables users to locate, lock, or erase their Mac remotely if it’s lost or stolen. Find My Mac helps protect sensitive data by allowing users to take action to secure their devices and prevent unauthorized access to their personal information.
10. Touch ID
Touch ID is a fingerprint biometric authentication feature available on most Mac models. It allows users to log in to their Mac, make purchases using Apple Pay, and authenticate various actions with just a fingerprint scan. Touch ID enhances security by providing a convenient and secure way to access the computer and authorize sensitive actions.
11. iCloud Keychain
iCloud Keychain is a feature in macOS that securely stores and syncs passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive data across all a user’s Apple devices. It uses strong encryption to protect the stored information and allows users to generate and store complex passwords, making it easier to create and manage secure login credentials.
Windows Built-in Security Features
1. Windows Defender
Windows Defender is the built-in antivirus and anti-malware solution for Windows. It provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and other malicious software. Windows Defender continuously scans files (from all sources) and programs for threats, and automatically takes action to remove or quarantine detected malware.
2. Windows Firewall
Windows also has a built-in firewall that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. It helps prevent unauthorized access to the computer or network by blocking potentially harmful connections and filtering incoming data packets. Users can configure the firewall settings to allow or block specific apps or services from accessing their device network.
3. BitLocker
BitLocker is a full-disk encryption feature available in Windows Pro and Enterprise editions. It encrypts the entire hard drive to protect data stored on the computer from unauthorized access. BitLocker helps safeguard sensitive information, even if the computer is lost or stolen, by requiring authentication before the data can be accessed.
4. Windows Hello
Windows Hello is a biometric authentication feature that allows users to log in to their Windows device using facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or a PIN. It provides a convenient and secure way to access the computer without the need for a traditional password.
5. User Account Control (UAC)
User Account Control is a security feature that helps prevent unauthorized changes to the system settings and software installations. When a program attempts to make changes that require administrator-level permissions, UAC prompts the user to confirm the action or enter an administrator password, reducing the risk of unintentional or malicious system modifications.
6. Device Guard
Device Guard is a security feature available in Windows 10 Enterprise edition that helps protect against malware and other threats by restricting the execution of untrusted applications. It uses hardware-based security features to ensure that only trusted applications and code can run on the device, helping to prevent malware infections and unauthorized access.
7. Secure Boot
Secure Boot is a security feature in Windows that ensures the integrity of the boot process by only allowing trusted software components to run during startup. It verifies the digital signatures of bootloader and kernel components, helping to prevent unauthorized or malicious software from tampering with the boot process and compromising system security.
8. Microsoft Edge Password Manager
Microsoft Edge includes a built-in password manager that securely stores and auto-fills login credentials for websites and online accounts. It helps users create and manage strong, unique passwords for each site, reducing the risk of password reuse and enhancing security. This password manager also encrypts stored passwords and synchronizes them across devices using the user’s Microsoft account.
9. Edge Security Features
Microsoft Edge, Windows’ default web browser has several security features including SmartScreen, which helps identify and block malicious websites and downloads. It also has Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, which provides additional protection against phishing attacks and malicious software.
Edge also utilizes sandboxing technology to isolate each browser tab and process, enhancing security by preventing malware from spreading across the system. Finally, Edge offers built-in tracking prevention and secure browsing modes to help users maintain their privacy and protect against online tracking and data breaches.
Final Thoughts – Which Platform Offers More Security?
Both platforms offer plenty of security features that can provide users with a good level of security if they keep their operating systems up to date. They both offer features such as anti-malware software, a firewall, disk encryption, secure boot, and built-in browser security. However, macOS has a slight edge when it comes to built-in security features compared to Windows.
Windows lacks some security features such as Find My to locate or erase devices remotely, Private Relay, and audio/video recording alerts, which could slightly enhance security. Certain features like BitLocker are not available on Windows Home, requiring users to obtain the Pro and Enterprise editions to access all security features.
To enhance security, I would recommend installing more robust antivirus software and a VPN on both platforms. While Apple offers Private Relay, it only works with Safari, limiting its effectiveness with other apps on the device. Of course, you should also implement other security best practices such as being conscious about the sites you access and files you open, using strong passwords, installing software from trusted sources, and more.
