Windows PCs recorded a malware detection rate almost six times higher than Macs during the first seven months of 2026, according to data collected from Surfshark Antivirus.
The cybersecurity company analyzed 391,305 threat detections recorded between January 1 and July 31, 2026. Windows devices represented 66 percent of Surfshark’s active antivirus base but accounted for 92 percent of all detections.
Macs made up 34 percent of the active device base and generated only 8 percent of detections.
The figures suggest a substantially higher malware exposure rate on Windows, although they reflect activity seen specifically through Surfshark’s own antivirus product rather than the entire global PC and Mac market.
Windows and macOS threat detections compared
| Metric | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Share of active Surfshark devices | 66% | 34% |
| Share of all threat detections | 92% | 8% |
| Trojan detections | More than 166,000 | More than 7,600 |
| Virus detections | More than 32,000 | Around 2,900 |
| Riskware detections | Around 67,500 | Around 5,400 |
| Relative malware detection rate | Nearly 6 times higher | Lower |
The difference is particularly large for Trojans.
Surfshark recorded more than 166,000 Trojan detections on Windows systems during the period, compared with slightly more than 7,600 on Macs.
Viruses showed a similar pattern, with more than 32,000 detections on Windows and around 2,900 on macOS.
Riskware is also more common on Windows
Windows also generated far more riskware detections.
Surfshark recorded around 67,500 cases on Windows compared with about 5,400 on macOS.
Riskware is different from conventional malware. These applications may be legitimate but include capabilities that can create security concerns depending on how they are used.
Examples can include remote access utilities, data extraction tools, server applications and some password management software.
The presence of riskware does not automatically mean that a system has been compromised, but the software may create additional exposure if it is poorly configured or abused.
Mac owners face a different security problem
The lower malware detection rate does not mean Macs are immune to security threats.
Surfshark says macOS owners may be particularly vulnerable to phishing and other forms of social engineering because some people continue to assume that Macs are inherently secure.
Phishing ranked as the third largest threat category for macOS in the company’s data, while it played a much smaller role among Windows detections.
That difference highlights an important distinction between technical malware and attacks that depend on convincing someone to disclose information, open a malicious page or approve access.
A device can have strong technical protections and still be vulnerable if the person operating it is tricked into handing over credentials or other sensitive information.
Why Windows attracts more malware
The figures do not establish a single reason why Windows recorded more detections.
Windows remains widely used across consumer, enterprise and gaming systems, which historically makes it an attractive target for malware developers.
The Surfshark numbers also come from its own active customer base, so they should not be treated as a direct measurement of the overall global infection rate across every Windows PC and Mac.
Still, the large difference inside the same antivirus dataset provides a useful comparison of the threats being detected on each platform.
Security still depends on more than the operating system
Operating system choice is only one part of PC security.
Keeping software updated, using strong and unique passwords, enabling multifactor authentication and avoiding suspicious downloads remain important on both Windows and macOS.
Windows owners face substantially more traditional malware detections in Surfshark’s dataset, particularly Trojans, viruses and riskware.
Mac owners face fewer of those detections, but the data also shows that phishing remains a meaningful concern.
The broader lesson is that neither platform removes the need for basic security practices. Windows may face more conventional malware activity, while macOS owners still need to remain cautious about attacks that target the person rather than the operating system.
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