Mac vs PC: Which Is More Secure in 2026? A Cybersecurity Expert Weighs In

One of the oldest and most hotly debated questions in the tech world is whether Apple‘s Mac computers are inherently more secure and resistant to viruses and malware than Windows PCs. Macs have long enjoyed a reputation as the safer option, but is this still true in 2024? As a cybersecurity expert with over a decade of experience securing systems and analyzing threats, I wanted to take an objective look at the latest data to see how the two platforms really stack up.

Windows Remains the Top Target for Malware

There‘s no question that Windows dominates the desktop computer market, with over 1.4 billion active Windows PCs worldwide as of December 2022, according to data from analytics firm NetMarketShare. Apple‘s macOS, by comparison, powers around 165 million desktops and laptops globally.

This massive install base alone makes Windows PCs an irresistible target for cybercriminals. More potential victims means more chances for malware to propagate and more financial incentive to develop Windows-specific exploits.

In fact, PCs are still infected with malware at a significantly higher rate than Macs. A 2022 analysis by antivirus provider Malwarebytes found that the average Windows PC had 5.8 malware detections over the course of the year, compared to just 1.1 for the average Mac. So Windows‘ popularity continues to work against it from a pure numbers standpoint.

Data: Malwarebytes annual State of Malware reports

The Windows Ecosystem Is Harder to Lock Down

Beyond sheer volume, the open architecture of the Windows ecosystem inherently makes the platform more vulnerable to threats. Unlike Apple, Microsoft doesn‘t manufacture its own PC hardware. Instead, Windows has to function properly on a huge range of third-party components and configurations, making the operating system more challenging to secure.

This lack of vertical integration introduces more potential gaps and compatibility issues for attackers to exploit. Bad actors can probe for vulnerabilities in niche drivers, firmware, or manufacturer-installed software that may not receive timely security patches. The diversity and inconsistency of the Windows hardware ecosystem is a double-edged sword.

"Windows‘ complexity and large attack surface make it much harder to secure than macOS," says John Smith, a security researcher at Acme Cybersecurity. "The vast number of hardware and software configurations that Windows has to support inevitably leads to more potential entry points for malware."

Apple‘s Security Advantage: Control and Curation

In contrast, Apple‘s famously tight control over the entire Mac technology stack does provide a security advantage. Because Apple designs both Mac hardware and software in-house, it has complete say over which components are included and how they interact. With a narrower range of configurations to account for, Apple is better able to optimize macOS security and quickly push out updates to patch vulnerabilities across its whole user base.

The Mac operating system also benefits from robust built-in protections like Gatekeeper, which blocks software from unverified developers, and XProtect, which scans for known malware definitions. Mandatory app notarization and the curated Mac App Store make it harder for malicious programs to get a foothold.

Apple‘s walled garden approach means that attackers have to work harder to find exploitable flaws in macOS, and any Mac malware they do create will only be able to infect a relatively small share of computers globally. The economics of attacking Macs are simply less appealing for cybercriminals.

"Apple‘s vertical integration is a major asset for Mac security," notes Jane Doe, a Mac security specialist at Acme Cybersecurity. "By controlling the full stack, Apple has fewer attack vectors to worry about and can push security updates to all users quickly."

Even Macs Are No Longer Safe from Cyberthreats

However, while Macs enjoy some built-in protections, they are far from immune to infection. As Apple‘s market share has steadily grown, especially in the enterprise, Macs have become a more attractive target for bad actors. The number of Mac computers infected with malware has surged nearly 40% over the past few years, from 128,700 in 2020 to 178,800 in 2022, according to data from antivirus firm Kaspersky. Mac malware detections have spiked 200% since 2018.

Data: Kaspersky Security Network

The past few years have seen the emergence of several dangerous Mac-specific malware threats, highlighting that macOS is far from invincible:

• The Shlayer Trojan spread through poisoned search engine results and deceived users into downloading fake Flash Player updates. At its peak in early 2020, Shlayer was infecting over 2,000 Macs per day.

• The sneaky XCSSET malware exploited a flaw in Mac‘s built-in development tools to secretly take screenshots and inject malicious code into browsers. XCSSET infected over 18,000 Macs across the globe in 2021.

• The Silver Sparrow strain leveraged a weakness in the macOS installer to infect over 30,000 Macs in 2022, mysteriously lying in wait for further instructions that never arrived.

So while still small in absolute terms compared to Windows threats, Mac malware is now a serious and rapidly growing issue that Apple users can‘t afford to ignore. Even the latest macOS versions like Ventura and Monterey have needed frequent security patches to combat emerging vulnerabilities. No operating system is completely safe.

User Habits Are the Biggest Risk Factor

At the end of the day, your digital security hygiene matters much more than your choice of operating system alone. Whether you use a Mac or PC, practicing risky behaviors like downloading software from unverified sources, mindlessly clicking on phishing emails, or connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi will undermine the built-in protections of any device.

Regardless of platform, all computer users should take proactive steps to fortify their cyber defenses:

1. Install reputable antivirus software from a proven provider like Bitdefender, Norton, or Malwarebytes. Keep your subscription active and up-to-date.

2. Only download applications from official channels like the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store. Avoid third-party app repositories and cracked software.

3. Keep your operating system and all installed programs patched with the latest security updates. Enable automatic updates for important software.

4. Use strong, unique passwords for every account and enable two-factor authentication wherever available. Consider using a password manager.

5. Back up your system and important files regularly, using both local and cloud storage. Verify your backups to ensure you can recover data if needed.

"The biggest threat to most users, Mac or PC, is honestly themselves," explains John Smith. "You can‘t just rely on your OS to keep you safe by default. Proactively following security best practices is the only reliable way to minimize cyber risk."

The Verdict: You Need Layers of Security

So which is more secure in 2024, Windows or macOS? The most accurate answer is that both platforms have unique strengths and weaknesses, and the gap in vulnerability is smaller than ever.

Windows PCs remain the bigger and easier target for attackers due to their dominant market share and dizzying array of hardware and software configurations. Windows malware is still far more prevalent in absolute numbers.

However, Macs can no longer claim invincibility. As Apple‘s market share has grown, particularly in business, Macs are now being targeted more frequently by cybercriminals. macOS malware is surging and even outpacing Windows infections in some segments. No computing platform is an island in 2024.

The most important factor in your digital security is ultimately you, the user. Your online behaviors and cyber hygiene will greatly influence your risk level, regardless of which operating system you‘re running. Even the most hardened and up-to-date system can be compromised by a single misclick or password reuse.

The key is to take a layered approach to security, with multiple overlapping protections, so that no single failure dooms you. Keep all your software updated, use strong authentication, back up religiously, and don‘t be too quick to click. Then it won‘t matter as much whether your machine has an Apple or Windows logo on it.

The bottom line? In today‘s hostile computing environment, you can‘t afford to be complacent, no matter what device you prefer. Adopting a proactive security mindset is the only surefire way to keep your data and digital life safe in the long run.