AVG AntiVirus for Mac offers excellent protection from viruses, web, and email threats. The app doesn't have much to it aside from on-off sliders, and a few minor settings, but for those who just. Malwarebytes for Mac Premium has never been subjected to malware-detection lab tests, but Malwarebytes' Windows consumer antivirus software does not do well. However, we can recommend using the.
BEST DEALS ON ANTIVIRUS FOR MAC THIS WEEK:
Bitdefender Total Security for Mac (10 devices) — $34.99 (save $65)
Webroot Internet Security for Mac (3 devices) — $29.99 (save $30)
Norton 360 Premium (10 devices) — $34.99 (save $65)
Kaspersky Internet Security (3 device) — $39.99 (save $40)
McAfee Total Protection (3 devices) — $24.99 (save $55)
There's a common misconception that Macs don't need antivirus software. Unfortunately, that's far from accurate these days.
Macs are generally more secure than PCs, thanks to a more secure operating system where certain aspects of its software are more locked down and harder to infiltrate by rogue software. Also, fewer people own Macs meaning fewer targets for criminals. However, that doesn't mean that it's impossible to get a virus on your Mac, or receive a suspicious piece of malware either.
SEE ALSO: Best cheap laptops: 10 options for under $500
A report from Malwarebytes found that Mac malware has seen an increase of over 400% between 2018 and 2019. That number is likely to rise in 2021 with new threats like OSX.Generic.Suspicious and FakeFileOpener cited in the article as significant ways of disrupting Mac owners. The more Macs are used, the more they’ll be targeted by cyber criminals. And everyone loves the must-have MacBook of the moment, right?
MacOS might still be more secure than Windows but why take a risk with your valuable data? We've taken a look at some of the best antivirus solutions out there for your Mac, ensuring you have an extra layer of security between your data and nefarious viruses. We’ve evaluated their effectiveness at detecting viruses, and lay out any of their additional security features too.
Protect your Mac against ransomware attacks, computer viruses, and more with these antivirus products:
Offers choices of scanning types • Offers idle scanning for when you're not active • Includes two Safari plugins
Was known for having performance issues in the past
Norton gives you plenty of options to scan your Mac in the background without the performance dips of the past.
1. Norton 360 Standard for Mac
Norton runs in the background, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity or threats to your system, without any need for interaction from you.- One Mac: $39.99/year
- Up to five Macs: $49.99/year
The gist: One of the oldest names in the security software business, it's easy to know what to expect from Norton 360 Standard. Essentially, it runs in the background, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity or threats to your system, without any need for interaction from you. In the past, Norton software has been known for causing performance dips but that's far from the case here. For one thing, its idle scanning feature only scans during quiet periods with that scan pausing the moment you use your Mac.
What it offers: Norton Security for Mac offers a few different options for scanning. You can switch to automatic, always-on protection and never think about it again, or there's schedule scanning for appropriate times of day for you. It's the idle scanning feature that's most useful though, which simply works when you need it to.
Additionally, Norton 360 Standard includes two powerful Safari plugins. Safe Web helps you avoid visiting rogue sites, while Norton Password Manager is a simple password management tool. Neither are quite as expansive as the antivirus facility, but as a useful way of cutting off issues at the source, they do the job admirably.
The price:Norton 360 Standard uses a subscription based service: $39.99 for the first year provides you with one Mac license. If you want to use the software on more than one Mac, you'll need to upgrade to Norton Security Deluxe for $49.99 for the first year. The $10 upgrade gives you up to 5 licenses (for PC, Mac, Android and iOS smartphones), as well as parental controls if you need them.
What it offers: Norton Security for Mac offers a few different options for scanning. You can switch to automatic, always-on protection and never think about it again, or there's schedule scanning for appropriate times of day for you. It's the idle scanning feature that's most useful though, which simply works when you need it to.
Additionally, Norton 360 Standard includes two powerful Safari plugins. Safe Web helps you avoid visiting rogue sites, while Norton Password Manager is a simple password management tool. Neither are quite as expansive as the antivirus facility, but as a useful way of cutting off issues at the source, they do the job admirably.
The price:Norton 360 Standard uses a subscription based service: $39.99 for the first year provides you with one Mac license. If you want to use the software on more than one Mac, you'll need to upgrade to Norton Security Deluxe for $49.99 for the first year. The $10 upgrade gives you up to 5 licenses (for PC, Mac, Android and iOS smartphones), as well as parental controls if you need them.
Offers extra tools like anti-spam protection • Comprehensive
Not quite as fast or accurate as Norton
It might not be the speediest or the most attractive antivirus software, but for those after comprehensive security assistance, it's unparalleled.
2. McAfee Total Protection
McAfee offers extra tools like digital document shredding and anti-spam protection that help it rise above the rest.- One device: $34.99 (first year)
- Five devices: $39.99 (first year)
- Ten devices: $44.99 (first year)
The gist: Another familiar name in the security software world, McAfee Total Protection is more than just antivirus software, offering a full security suite of features. It's a name that was synonymous with being a tad bloated in the past but that's far from the case now. If you want something more powerful than simple antivirus protection, this will scratch that itch.
What it offers: As expected from a name as big as McAfee, there's the prospect of award-winning antivirus scanning. It's not quite as fast as Norton's nor quite as accurate, but it's still highly competent.
Where things are ramped up is McAfee Total Protection's many extra tools, much beloved by its users. There's anti-spam protection that works with many popular email clients, a digital document shredding tool, Wi-Fi protection settings, and a network manager so your network can't be hijacked without your knowledge. Parental controls are also available along with McAfee Identity Theft Protection which helps protect you against identity theft by scanning the dark web and SSN monitoring. It's all about cutting off your risks before you even get that far.
It might not be the speediest or the most attractive antivirus software, but for those after comprehensive security assistance, it's unparalleled.
The price: The price you pay depends on how many systems you want to run it on. You can protect one device for $34.99 or five for $39.99, and up from there. In each case, that's the price for the first year of use.
What it offers: As expected from a name as big as McAfee, there's the prospect of award-winning antivirus scanning. It's not quite as fast as Norton's nor quite as accurate, but it's still highly competent.
Where things are ramped up is McAfee Total Protection's many extra tools, much beloved by its users. There's anti-spam protection that works with many popular email clients, a digital document shredding tool, Wi-Fi protection settings, and a network manager so your network can't be hijacked without your knowledge. Parental controls are also available along with McAfee Identity Theft Protection which helps protect you against identity theft by scanning the dark web and SSN monitoring. It's all about cutting off your risks before you even get that far.
It might not be the speediest or the most attractive antivirus software, but for those after comprehensive security assistance, it's unparalleled.
The price: The price you pay depends on how many systems you want to run it on. You can protect one device for $34.99 or five for $39.99, and up from there. In each case, that's the price for the first year of use.
Has won many awards • Super fast • Offers security suite tools like adware blocker • Works on Macs and PCs
Its Autopilot background scanner can't be scheduled
Bitdefender is the choice of many tech-savvy users who love its speed and reliability.
3. Bitdefender Total Security for Mac
A little cheaper than some of its competitors, it's a strong opening gambit for a company that's more well known among tech savvy folks than the average consumer.- Up to 5 devices: $44.99 (first year)
- Up to 10 devices: $49.99 (first year)
The gist: antivirus option might be a lesser known name in the antivirus and security software world, but it's garnered many awards for its antivirus engine. Some sources have even found 100% success rates for virus and malware detection, although mileage will vary depending on the viruses involved. A little cheaper than some of its competitors, it's a strong opening gambit for a company that's more well known amongst tech savvy markets than the average consumer.
What it offers: Speed is one of the best things about . Within seconds of use, it'll scan thousands of your files with a full scan taking mere minutes. Opting to scan specific locations such as your Mac's system library is also an option, streamlining your experience. No one wants to wait around for a full virus scan, so it's refreshing to see Bitdefender just get on with things, or provide you with convenient alternatives.
There's also the ability to search for malware quickly within various archives and common filetypes, such as PDF or ZIP, further extending your options. An always-on scanner known as Autopilot keeps an eye on things when you don't want to do anything manually, although that does mean no choice of scheduling.
Security suite features are also included, such as an adware blocker, anti-phishing detection for webpages, and backup protection for your Time Machine backups.
The price: is currently priced at $44.99 for five devices for the first year. It'll work across platforms so it's ideal if you have additional Macs, smartphones (Android or iOS) or PCs that require protection.
What it offers: Speed is one of the best things about . Within seconds of use, it'll scan thousands of your files with a full scan taking mere minutes. Opting to scan specific locations such as your Mac's system library is also an option, streamlining your experience. No one wants to wait around for a full virus scan, so it's refreshing to see Bitdefender just get on with things, or provide you with convenient alternatives.
There's also the ability to search for malware quickly within various archives and common filetypes, such as PDF or ZIP, further extending your options. An always-on scanner known as Autopilot keeps an eye on things when you don't want to do anything manually, although that does mean no choice of scheduling.
Security suite features are also included, such as an adware blocker, anti-phishing detection for webpages, and backup protection for your Time Machine backups.
The price: is currently priced at $44.99 for five devices for the first year. It'll work across platforms so it's ideal if you have additional Macs, smartphones (Android or iOS) or PCs that require protection.
Speedy • Uses the cloud, so great for older computers • Includes anti-phishing tools and other features
Doesn't use a large database for detection, if that matters to you
Webroot's cloud-based solution makes it perfect for protecting an older Mac without using up precious RAM.
4. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus for Mac
Webroot Antivirus for Mac stores all its anti-malware protection information on the cloud, meaning it's speedy and has a small footprint on your Mac.- One device: $29.99 (first year)
- Three devices: $37.49 (first year)
The gist:Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus for Mac isn't like other anti-virus software, in that it's keen to make absolutely no impact on your Mac's performance, no matter how old your system is. Instead of using a large database to detect issues, it primarily relies on behavioral based detection, snooping out when something doesn't seem normal for your system. Tackling things with a different approach means it's perfect for old systems that haven't got the space or the RAM bandwidth for too much probing.
What it offers: Webroot Antivirus for Mac stores all its anti-malware protection information on the cloud, meaning it's speedy and has a small footprint on your Mac. By saving you the effort of downloading virus definition updates, it's also impressively accurate while speedy. Most full scans will only take a matter of minutes rather than hours, no matter how dated your technology is.
Alongside such fast scanning, Webroot Antivirus for Mac works to cut things off at the source. It has anti-phishing tools that block harmful sites before you even load them, along with a firewall and network connection monitor. Working as pseudo security software means it's a little more effective than simply scanning your system as and when needed.
However, the real advantage here is how undemanding Webroot Antivirus for Mac is. It simply just works, without making you worry about any noticeable performance impact while your Mac is in use.
The price: Webroot Antivirus for Mac works out as $29.99 per year for one device license. $37.49 provides you with three licenses per year, so it suits a household well.
What it offers: Webroot Antivirus for Mac stores all its anti-malware protection information on the cloud, meaning it's speedy and has a small footprint on your Mac. By saving you the effort of downloading virus definition updates, it's also impressively accurate while speedy. Most full scans will only take a matter of minutes rather than hours, no matter how dated your technology is.
Alongside such fast scanning, Webroot Antivirus for Mac works to cut things off at the source. It has anti-phishing tools that block harmful sites before you even load them, along with a firewall and network connection monitor. Working as pseudo security software means it's a little more effective than simply scanning your system as and when needed.
However, the real advantage here is how undemanding Webroot Antivirus for Mac is. It simply just works, without making you worry about any noticeable performance impact while your Mac is in use.
The price: Webroot Antivirus for Mac works out as $29.99 per year for one device license. $37.49 provides you with three licenses per year, so it suits a household well.
Antivirus Software For Macs
Built just for Macs • High accuracy rate • Works on iOS devices too • Provides network protection as well
Not as speedy as some • A bit pricier than some others
For a more stylish and intuitive way of tackling your virus protection, Intego is unbeatable.
5. Intego Mac Internet Security
Intego does a fantastic job of detecting anything thrown at it, albeit a little slower than with some antivirus protection.- One device: $39.99 (first year)
- Three devices: $54.99 (first year)
- Five devices: $69.99 (first year)
The gist: is software that's exclusively for Mac products. Unlike other entries here, it's been built from the ground up just for Mac, with no hint of a one-time clunky Windows interface in sight. For a more stylish and intuitive way of tackling your virus protection, it's unbeatable.
What it offers: High rates of accuracy is very much Intego Mac Internet Security's game. It does a fantastic job of detecting anything thrown at it, albeit a little slower than with some antivirus protection. As soon as it's installed, scheduled and real time protection is activated by default, making it an ideal choice for anyone who wants to avoid poking around the software.
By default, it automatically detects Mac malware, but it'll also keep an eye out for anything Windows or Linux based, so you can be sure to not accidentally send such files elsewhere. It keeps an eye on files on your iOS devices too.
Besides the key antivirus protection features, also includes NetBarrier X9 to provide network protection, securing your Mac from unauthorized access when you're on a public network, like public Wi-Fi.
The price: A one-year subscription for one device costs $39.99 with that price rising to $54.99 for up to three devices.
What it offers: High rates of accuracy is very much Intego Mac Internet Security's game. It does a fantastic job of detecting anything thrown at it, albeit a little slower than with some antivirus protection. As soon as it's installed, scheduled and real time protection is activated by default, making it an ideal choice for anyone who wants to avoid poking around the software.
By default, it automatically detects Mac malware, but it'll also keep an eye out for anything Windows or Linux based, so you can be sure to not accidentally send such files elsewhere. It keeps an eye on files on your iOS devices too.
Besides the key antivirus protection features, also includes NetBarrier X9 to provide network protection, securing your Mac from unauthorized access when you're on a public network, like public Wi-Fi.
The price: A one-year subscription for one device costs $39.99 with that price rising to $54.99 for up to three devices.
Antivirus Software For Macos