Downloading software safely on a Mac
Most malware that reaches a Mac arrives inside something the owner downloaded and installed. The good news is that a few simple habits remove nearly all of that risk.
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Where to download from
Use the App Store first, since every app there is checked. If an app isn't on the store, get it from the developer's official website, which you reach by typing the address yourself, not by clicking a search advert or an emailed link. Fake copies of popular apps are common in adverts and lookalike sites.
Two things to avoid
Don't install cracked or free versions of paid software, as these are a classic way to hide malware. And be wary of any website that tells you your Mac is infected and you must download a cleaner, that message is itself the scam.
After downloading
Let Gatekeeper do its check when the app first opens. If macOS warns it can't verify the app, stop and reconsider where it came from.
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