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To many; an antivirus software helps stop malicious downloads. True. But it does a lot more; from detecting suspicious attachments, phishing & faking websites to protecting synced gadgets… And yes, Mac antivirus exist.
The growth of cybercriminals and hackers has shown an increase in Malware attacks on Macs. It’s best for you to take precaution beforehand.
As , Mac’s vulnerability to malware/virus got up to 400 percent in 2019.
However, Mac is still more secure than Windows.
Why? Because Mac runs on a UNIX based operating system and uses App sandbox. It keeps your Mac safe by keeping any threat inside the box.
Although Mac is hard to bypass, it is still vulnerable.
Below is a list of top antivirus software.
1. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
This is one of the most persistent protection suites with accurate results. Apple security experts and AV testing labs agree with the statement. And it provides a quick scan.
With deep level protection, Bitdefender also houses a multitude of features. Including a Safe Files feature that requires your approval before an application can access your folder.
Bitdefender includes another feature for the ransomware threat, called Ransomware Remediation. It backs up of your files in real-time whenever a Ransomware attempts to infect your data. It then restores the data after blocking the malware.
The Good
- State-of-the-art antivirus engine
- Privacy Protection
- Brilliant anti-phishing security
The Bad
- Missing basic features like Firewall.
2. Sophos Home for Mac
The free version of Sophos offers more than its paid competitors. Including; On-demand scanning for infected machines(with removal), Real-time protection, filtering malicious sites, and parental controls.
More? You can manage up to 3 Macs or PCs with a single account through a central web system. This is helpful for family surveillance.
You might think providing a bunch of features might cloak the antivirus program’s deficiencies. The Lab tests say otherwise. Mac detection rate by AV tests in December 2017 shows Sophos protection competing Avast, Bitdefender, Kaspersky. While ranking among top tier antivirus software.
Although Sophos free version offers a handful of features, the paid Home Premium version is still worth it.
It adds advanced ransomware protection, monitoring of webcam invasions, live email and chat support. And up to 10 Macs and PCs on a single licence.
The Good
- Remote management.
- Decent phishing protection.
- Parental control
The Bad
- Full scan is sluggish.
3. Intego Mac Internet Security X9
Intego is taking care of Mac machines for a long time. It’s the reason this antivirus program knows Macs better than others.
The Mac Internet Security X9 offers state-of-art protection. So, you can comfortably surf the internet while it actively protects and alerts you of any threat.
Lab results show Intego competing with antivirus software such as Bitdefender and Kaspersky.
And not just that, but the lab results show an increase in performance and usability.
Other than sturdy antivirus protection, Intego offers Mac optimization tools. One of them is Washing Machine with Reclaim, Duplicate and Organize features to make your Mac experience clutter-free.
The Good
- Robust protection
- Brilliant Firewall
- User friendly
The Bad
- Slow first-time scan
4. Avast Premium Security
Avast Premium Security is a powerful antivirus program built with Mac in mind. It scores a whopping 8.9 in independent testing labs.
The suite from Avast packs a bunch of features, including; virus protection engine, firewall, easy-to-use spam-filter, and more. Avast ensures you a safe online experience through monitoring of phishing sites, Wi-Fi intrusion, and network breaches.
Avast’s Ransomware Shield protects from the globally affecting Ransomware malware attacks that leave your computer data useless.
Avast Premium Security can also protect from viruses yet to surface.
If you want an antivirus for a single Mac, Avast can be pricey. Though, paying a bit more can provide for up to 10 devices(this includes smartphones and Windows). Still, there are better options in the market.
The Good
- Ransomware protection
- Brilliant Firewall
- Simple spam filter
The Bad
- Pricing
5. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac
Anyone who knows about antivirus knows about Kaspersky. The software is reputable and protects your Mac with its plethora of features.
Test Labs show Kaspersky a consistent top scorer and one of the prime antivirus programs for Mac users.
It includes malware protection, suspicious URL blocking, Ransomware security, and Webcam Intrusion alert.
There’s also a web browser for your online banking, and other sensitive uses.
The Mac variant looks the same as Windows 10 version(unlike various software). Though the software provides tons of options, it hardly affects the ease of use.
Though it’s pricey, the value it provides covers it up.
The Good
- Powerful anti-malware
- Plethora of features
- A Secure Browser
The Bad
- VPN limits are low
Grab one of these and protect your Mac from threats.
