Windows users face six times more malware than Mac owners, Surfshark reveals — but 'Macs are safer' is only half true
New Surfshark data shows Windows users hit nearly six times more malware than Mac users, but Mac owners face a bigger phishing risk thanks to a false sense of security.
Surfshark's latest data reveals a significant disparity in malware threats between Windows and Mac users. Windows devices face nearly six times the rate of malware compared to Mac computers. While Windows was hit by 92% of detected threats, Macs accounted for just 8%. This stark difference can be attributed to Windows' popularity and the varied ways each platform handles software and permissions.
Despite the abundance of traditional malware on Windows, Mac users face a different kind of threat: phishing. Antivirus software paired with a VPN remains a sensible defense for both platforms, but the source emphasizes that Mac users may be more vulnerable due to a "Macs are safe" mindset, which can lead to social engineering attacks.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
