A recent study by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky revealed a significant gap in cybersecurity practices between macOS and Windows users. The study indicated that Mac users reported experiencing a greater number of cyber threats last year, reflecting Apple's reputation as a more secure operating system.

The survey, which included 7,200 people from 18 countries, showed that 12% of macOS users reported their devices being infected with malware, compared to approximately 9% of Windows users. Similarly, 12% of macOS users reported experiencing phishing attempts last year, compared to 9% of Windows users.

A security gap exists

, according to Kaspersky, where Windows users outperform macOS users in adopting most basic security measures. This gap is particularly evident in how they handle suspicious emails and links; 62% of Windows users said they avoid opening them, compared to only 51% of macOS users.

The gap widens when it comes to using specialized security software, with 42% of Windows users relying on security solutions to protect their devices and digital activities, compared to 35% of macOS users.

Kaspersky believes this statistic warrants attention, especially given the evolving nature of attacks targeting Mac users and the fact that cyber threats are not limited to any one operating system.

The gap extends beyond malware and

phishing, as macOS users reported higher rates of several other types of cyber incidents last year.

16% of macOS users reported being victims of investment scams and fraud, compared to 13% of Windows users. Additionally, 11% of Mac users reported privacy breaches, compared to approximately 8% of Windows users.

Regarding the theft of personal data, the rate reached 12% among macOS users, compared to 7% among Windows users.

These figures indicate that macOS's reputation for security does not mean its users are immune to risks, especially with attackers relying on methods such as phishing and social engineering to access victims' data.

Passwords and two-factor authentication

also reveal the gap in account protection practices. Windows users were more likely to use a unique password for each account, at a rate of 38% compared to 35% of macOS users.