Protections built into the OS X operating system allows most Mac users to get by without extra firewalls or virus protection, reports Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). Nonetheless, users need to be sure to install regular security updates.
The latest version of OS X, Mountain Lion, comes with some basic protection, even against malware designed for Macs, reports the BSI. It has a Personal Firewall, which when activated means users don't need to set up an extra one.
Macs are only safe if their systems are updated regularly. BSI recommends setting the Software Update function so that system files and security updates are automatically installed, in order to keep the computer up to date.
The Gatekeeper function should also be enabled. It ensures that only applications approved by the App Store or verified designers make it onto the computer, another check against malware. The function can be temporarily turned off if a person wants to install some open source software. But such software is often not necessary, note experts, since the new OS X includes a lot of extras like its own PDF reader.