Quick question!

SK2

Have advised my dad to get Bitdefender as he told me yesterday he thought Macs didn't need antivirus software. Have set him straight but he wants to know if he purchased it for 3 devices (iPhone, iPad and Macbook), but didn't cover his old Macbook (i.e. a 4th device), and it got a virus, could it spread this virus to his other devices as they are synced? He hasn't finished moving all his important documents etc from the old Macbook to the new one but cannot update the OS system on the old Macbook since before Sequoia.

As far as I know they are synced via WiFi only. Sorry if this is a silly question!

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/104738/quick-question

If your dad’s old MacBook isn’t protected by Bitdefender and somehow gets infected, the chance that the malware will spread to his other devices (iPhone, iPad, and new MacBook) just because they’re synced over WiFi or iCloud is generally very low—especially with Apple devices.

Here’s why:

• Different operating systems: iPhones and iPads run iOS/iPadOS, which are designed to be very secure and sandboxed, so malware targeting macOS usually can’t infect them.
• File syncing vs. malware spreading: Syncing shares files and data doesn’t automatically spread malware. Malware needs to actively execute on each device to infect.
• Old MacBook limitations: Since it can’t update past an older macOS version, it is more vulnerable. Installing Bitdefender on it might help detect threats, but outdated systems are always at higher risk because they miss important security updates.
• Bitdefender protection:
  • On the newer MacBook, Bitdefender will provide strong antivirus and malware protection to keep it safe.
  • On iPhone and iPad, Bitdefender offers features like web protection, VPN, and account privacy monitoring, though it can’t scan apps like on macOS.
  • On the old MacBook, Bitdefender can help with malware protection, but security, bug, and vulnerability updates for macOS are released by Apple, and they may no longer be provided for outdated operating systems. Therefore, it's best to minimize risky usage and move important files off the device as soon as possible.
• Precautions: Avoid opening suspicious files on the old MacBook, scan transferred files on the new Mac, and keep backups.

Concluding, syncing alone won’t spread malware between devices, but it’s smart to protect the devices with Bitdefender and be cautious with the outdated MacBook.

Regards