# macOS cybersecurity threat trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/macos-cybersecurity-threat-trends
> Updated: 2026-08-14T02:26:15.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3.

Research indicates a growing cybersecurity risk for macOS users. A Kaspersky study found that 12% of macOS users fell victim to malicious software, a higher rate than the 9% reported by Windows users. The study attributed this vulnerability to lower adoption of dedicated security software and less cautious habits regarding suspicious emails and links.

Subsequent reporting from ESET highlighted a surge in macOS-targeted attacks, noting that global detections rose by 38% between December 2025 and May 2026. In Portugal, detections increased by 65%, nearly double the global average. The most frequent threat identified in Portugal was the trojanOSX/PSW.Agent, which focuses on credential theft, alongside phishing, which accounted for approximately 40% of all detections in that region.

Data from the first half of 2026 confirms that phishing remains a primary threat in Portugal, representing roughly 40% of detected attacks. Criminals are employing diverse methods to deceive victims, such as using fraudulent QR codes to redirect users to malicious websites. Additionally, there is a growing role for artificial intelligence in cybercrime, as attackers leverage AI to create “more sophisticated and convincing fraudulent messages,” while cybersecurity firms simultaneously use the technology to identify and respond to these evolving threats.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-14: Mac cyberattacks surge by 65% in Portugal

Cyberattacks targeting Mac computers in Portugal rose by 65% in the first half of 2026, with phishing and AI-driven methods identified as major threats.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mac-cyberattacks-surge-by-65-in-portugal

### 2026-08-09: macOS cyberattacks surge 65% in Portugal

Cyberattacks on macOS systems have risen 65% in Portugal during the first half of 2026, significantly outpacing the 38% global increase, according to a new ESET threat report.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/macos-cyberattacks-surge-65-in-portugal

### 2026-07-30: Kaspersky study finds macOS users face higher cyber risk than Windows

Kaspersky reports macOS users suffer more cyber attacks than Windows users, with higher malware, phishing and scam rates and lower use of security software.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kaspersky-study-finds-macos-users-face-higher-cyber-risk-than-windows

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Cite as: macOS cybersecurity threat trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/macos-cybersecurity-threat-trends