{
  "id": 749633,
  "title": "Windows users face six times more malware than Mac owners, Surfshark reveals — but 'Macs are safer' is only half true",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/windows-users-face-six-times-more-malware-than-mac-owners-surfshark",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-13T09:14:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-services/windows-users-face-six-times-more-malware-than-mac-owners-surfshark-reveals-but-macs-are-safer-is-only-half-true"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Windows devices face 92% of detected malware threats",
    "Macs account for only 8% of malware threats",
    "Mac users may be more vulnerable to phishing attacks"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The disparity in malware threats between Windows and Mac users highlights that a mindset of safety on Macs can leave users vulnerable to social engineering attacks like phishing.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}