Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. The best antivirus program for Macs: light, fast, strong and easy to. Hello, I have bought a MAC several days ago. I am still not sure, do I need antivirus for it or no. Some people say that MAC won't get viruses and some say that MAC is not secure anymore.
According to a report by Malwarebytes, Mac malware grew by 270% in 2017 and is set to grow even further this year. This took some people by surprise because macOS has always been seen as a safe operating system. Because Macs are more popular than ever, they’ve become a more attractive target.
Checking your Mac for viruses. OS X does a pretty good job of stopping viruses and malware from attacking your computer. But there are steps you can take to further protect yourself. Download FREE AVG antivirus software for Mac. Protection against viruses, malware & spyware. Easy-to-use virus scanning and clean up.
Thankfully, the fact that Macs are Unix-based systems mean they remain a lot more secure than Windows PCs, while Apple’s built-in security features like Gatekeeper do a good job of blocking a lot of suspect software, there is a much greater chance that something will get through and infect your Mac.
So, let’s take a look at the best antivirus software on the market, starting with big guns at the premium end of the market and then top free options.
Rating
Name
Features
Info
1
CleanMyMac X
Large database, removes Mac-specific threats
Link
2
Bitdefender
Quick adware and ransomware deletion
Link
3
Intego
Real-time scanning and firewall protection
Link
Best antivirus software for Mac
You should approach choosing antivirus software as if you were buying a new smartphone or computer — research until you’re absolutely sure you’ve found the right one. This doesn’t matter so much with free software where you’ve nothing really to lose but when you’re parting with your hard earned cash you need to know that the software is going to get the job done.
When it comes to reliable information, there’s no better place to get it than from the independent the labs — the researchers who make it their life’s work to rigorously test antivirus software. The researchers at AV-TEST, the independent IT-security test institute, regularly put macOS antivirus software through its paces.
In their most recent round of testing, the lab experts evaluated 12 of the top MacOS solutions on three criteria: protection, system load, and usability.
Protection: the software’s ability to protect your system from malware
System load: the software’s impact on system performance
Usability: how easy the software is to navigate
Here are some of the best options on the market if you're considering antimalware software for your Mac.
1. CleanMyMac X
CleanMyMac X is a utility tool with plenty going for it. Not only does it help you rid your system of threats, it continually scans your system for malware and offers immediate removal. It’s as simple and effective as malware protection gets.
In addition to that feature, the tool also has a vast range of options for ridding your system of junk files and keeping Mac performance at the top of its game. The ability to clean up old apps and files in a few clicks is the perfect complement to malware removal.
Pros:
Excellent malware scanning
Real-time anti-malware monitor
Good Uninstaller to remove 'undeletable' apps
Removes lots of recent threats, including adware, spyware, and viruses
Cons:
It has a limited number of free Malware scans
2. Bitdefender
Cost: $39.99/year
A solid all-rounder that’s one of the best suites on the market. The multi-layer ransomware protection and adware removal are standout features, and the software’s ability to scan for Windows PC malware (a feature not available on some software) set it apart from the rest.
Pros:
Excellent Mac integration
Capable of scanning for Windows malware
Cons:
Other antivirus software for Mac has a greater range of features
Do Apple Computers Need Antivirus
3. Intego
Cost for the Premium Bundle X9: $39.99/year
Intego is a household name in Mac protection and does the job of keeping your computer free of malware in a no-fuss kind of way. It also scans for Windows malware. However, some of its great work is undone by its drain on system resources.
Pros:
Firewall protection
Accurate scanning
Cons:
Limited features
No website filtering
Can affect performance
4. Symantec by Norton
Cost for Security Deluxe: $89.99/year
Norton antivirus comes with a reputation for outstanding performance and that’s what you get with Symantec. Its malware detection engine is second to none and you can use it across multiple Mac, iOS, Windows, or Android devices. Like Intego, it’s demanding on performance but not to a point where it’s annoying. The biggest drawback of Symantec is, unfortunately, the price. $89.99 a year is a lot of money, especially when you consider you can get antivirus software for free.
Pros:
Works across a range of devices
Excellent malware detection
Firewall protection
Cons:
Expensive
Can affect system performance
5. Trend Micro
Cost: $39.95/year
Do I Need Antivirus On Mac
Trend Micro is the kindest tool of the paid options for your system. You hardly notice it’s there. It integrates with your system well. Features like content filtering and social media privacy checking are useful, while the overall speed of scanning is excellent. The only real drawback is the lack of firewall protection.
Pros:
Good all-around protection
Built for compatibility with the latest MacOS
Nice range of features
Cons:
No firewall protection
Other notable mentions include Kaspersky, which offers an outstanding range of features but is let down slightly by its user interface, and ClamXAV, which is a favorite of IT professionals and is available for a one-off fee, rather than a license. Unfortunately, ClamXAV doesn’t offer website filtering, phishing protection, or firewall protection.
Best free antivirus software for Mac
If you’ve looked at the prices of the paid options and balked a little, you’ll welcome this next bunch of software with open arms because they’re all free.
Free software doesn’t get the same fanfare as the paid products, mostly because it doesn’t have to push for sales at every given opportunity. But that doesn’t mean it won’t serve you just as well.
Free software tends to only be available for one device per download, however, if you only have one Mac to protect that’s all you need.
If you want to keep your Mac malware-free, these tools have you covered.
1. Sophos Home
Do You Need To Download Antivirus For Mac
Sophos is a paid tool that comes with a free version. This version is limited in what it can do but offers accurate scanning and features like website filtering and anti-phishing.
Pros:
Good virus detection
Easy to use
Cons:
Limited features
2. Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a classic antimalware software that has both a premium and free version. Malwarebytes is a pioneer in malware research, and the company regularly posts summaries about newly-discovered threats. The software itself is known to be stable and contains all the “gold-standard” tools for an antivirus: quarantine, real-time detection, blocker for malicious sites, etc. Some of them are only available with a paid package.
Pros:
Excellent reputation
Has its own anti-malware lab
Cons:
Lots of notifications
Which antivirus software for Mac should I use?
The antivirus software we’ve listed here is the best of the best. In truth, you could choose any and be happy with your purchase.
Of the paid options, Bitdefender is one of the standout options, simply for the accuracy of its virus scanning and ease of use. Symantec by Norton is known for being reliable and capable of defeating numerous threats, although it is a bit pricey. From the free options, AVG is the most effective, but it will consume around 10% of your Mac resources when it is running.
Whereas CleanMyMac X is a Swiss Army knife: it will protect from malware while removing clutter and freeing up much-needed space. It does everything you need and, alongside Mac’s built-in Gatekeeper, will protect you from the dangers that lurk on the internet.
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Do i need antivirus for mac? Best Antivirus Software For MAC OS,.. free and Paid software detects viruses and malware in ios for security-conscious users, there are several reliable options for mac OS antivirus software. It’s not mandatory, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Mac does not require antivirus software, they are still vulnerable to other attack vectors, including email based phishing attacks or browser-based cross-site scripting or man-in-the-middle attack. And potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) such as Mac Defenders are installed by the user willingly, but it contains malicious features and it can not be easily removed. Mac users are not automatically immune to the Internet threats, and Users should still practice safe browsing habits.
Best Antivirus for MAC OS
List of top antivirus for mac:
Bitdefender: this antivirus software stands at the top of AV Test’s antivirus rankings,To block 100% hazards in those tests, it has very little effect on your system, so that you will not see a recession during scanning or during real time conservation.
Features – Multi-Layer Ransomware Protection , Blocks and removes annoying adware, Zero negative impact on speed, Secures your online shopping experience, Protects against Mac and PC malware
OS- Macintosh computers with OS X Mavericks (10.9.5) , OS X Yosemite (10.10 or later), OS X El Capitan (10.11), macOS Sierra(10.12) installed.
Free – Try
Price – 2699 Indian Rupees
ClamAV: Free open-source Antivirus Windows or Linux users might be familiar with this O.S., multi-platform suite for detecting viruses and malware. It’s long-lived, well-respected software, and it has a great Mac version.
Features – detecting trojans, viruses, malware & other malicious threats., ClamAV is the open source standard for mail gateway scanning software,ClamAV includes a multi-threaded scanner daemon, command line utilities for on demand file scanning and automatic signature updates, ClamAV supports multiple file formats, file and archive unpacking, and multiple signature languages, Access to ClamAV versions that work with your operating system,
OS- Macintosh computers with OS X Mavericks (10.9.5) , OS X Yosemite (10.10 or later), OS X El Capitan (10.11), macOS Sierra(10.12) installed.
Free – Yes
Price – Free
Do Macbooks Need Antivirus
Sophos Home: This free consumer version of Sophos Enterprise Security software works in Windows and MacOS, in addition to detecting viruses and malware, it also protects against web-based attacks in real-time.
Features -ANTIVIRUS AND ANTI-MALWARE , Free award-winning antivirus for your home Macs and PCs, Advanced Computer Security, Easy to Install and Manage, Block Unwanted Content, such as command and control servers run by cybercriminals. It will automatically block phishing attacks, websites that contain malware and viruses, and bad websites pretending to be legitimate. You can also control the content your family can view with web filtering. Easily decide what to allow, warn, or block for each computer,
OS- Mac OS X 10.10, 10.11 or 10.12
Free – Yes
Price – Free
Malewarebytes: Another much-loved malware detection tool for Windows, Malwarebytes also offers a Macversion. It’s fast, with a focus on real-time protection rather than scheduled scans. It sports a great reputation for removing PUPs, but it won’t scan macOS for Windows viruses. This could potentially allow those viruses to be unknowingly distributed to Windows computers.
Is Antivirus Needed For Mac
Features –ANTIVIRUS AND ANTI-MALWARE , Detects and removes malware in real time with advanced anti-malware technology, Catches dangerous threats automatically, so you’re protected without having to even think about it, Scans the average Mac in under 15 seconds. Run a manual scan in the background while you boot up your favorite game. It’s done by the time you’re ready to play, Crushes adware and potentially unwanted programs that slow your Mac. Your Mac experience will remain clean and pristine.Prevents Mac virus, spyware, and malware infections
OS- MacOS 10.10 (or higher)
Free – Yes
Price – INR 2,853
Avast: Avast’s free software detects viruses and malware. It also proactively protects against web-based threats like unsafe websites and email attachments. Unfortunately, it’s also known for imposing a heavy load on system resources to offer these real-time features.
Features –Real-Time ProtectionAvast antivirus for Mac not only blocks viruses, spyware, Trojans, and other malware in real-time, it also scans your entire Mac for already-hidden threats. Total Malware Detection, An unsecured Wi-Fi network is an open door to threats. Avast Security scans your entire network and all connected devices for vulnerabilities to help you stop hackers from stealing your personal data.
OS- All you need is a Mac running macOS 10.9 (Mavericks) or later
Free – Yes
Price – Free
Do Mac Users Need Antivirus
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Free Antivirus For Mac Downloads
Do you think you need/want to install antivirus on your Mac? Chime in in the comments section below.