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so macOS automatically scans local files on your mac for malware, based on remote signatures downloaded from apple.
https://tidbits.com/2022/09/02/macoss-new-xprotect-now-regularly-scans-for-malware/
anyone wanna bet it can detect anything on your mac that apple wants to detect?
@sneak , similar in Windows, MS use the last definition files, but you can also update the defender with own definitions from other sources.
But normally it isn't necessary, in AV comparisions it's one of the best AV currently.
Windows and also Mac have apart an Sandbox system to protect the system files, in Windows even against root kits, in Mac I don't know.