The Best Mac Antivirus Protection for 2021 Despite what you may have heard, your Apple computer is not immune to malware. We test the top contenders to identify those offering the best Mac antivirus protection. McAfee Total Protection is one of the best antivirus software for Mac options for families that have multiple devices to protect. It works on PCs, and both Android and iPhones with all devices and settings managed from a single online account. Sep 03, 2020 What is the best antivirus for Mac in 2020? Intego is the only provider on this list that specializes solely in Mac security. The result is a. VIPRE Advanced Security. VIPRE Advanced Security is one of several products that VIPRE Antivirus offers to macOS. Symantec Norton. Jun 11, 2020 Mac Internet Security X9 provides top-notch antivirus protection against the latest threats, and is rated up there with the best (like Bitdefender and Kaspersky) when it comes to the independent.
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The best antivirus for Macs can give you the experience of sailing safely on the waters of the web, where without it you'll be constantly worrying about pirate attacks. Forced oceanic metaphors aside, many people think because they use a Mac they're safe online but the reality, these days, is different. And with more personal data online than ever before, it pays to play it safe.
Antivirus software works to protect your Mac from malware attacks which can, potentially, gain access to your personal information. This isn't just your latest Instagram picture post, we mean banking details and important logins for things like email.
While Apple devices are certainly safer than Windows machines, they're still at risk. A macOS machine runs on Unix, which is sandboxed, meaning it's not easy for a virus to do a lot of damage. That also means any virus which is designed to attack a Mac is very specialist. As such you need an equally specialist solution. Enter the software specifically built as antivirus for Macs rather than the usual one-app-fits-all you'd get with other operating systems.
We've found the very best Mac antivirus software so that you can rest easy knowing your slab of machine smarts is protected even when you connect to potentially threatening open networks, like Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport.
There are paid for and free options with different features for each. Here are the best antivirus for Macs we've found on the market.
Best antivirus for Macs 2021: apps and software compared
Bitdefender Antivirus for Macs is the best overall line of defense for your Apple Mac. At its core, this uses an antivirus engine that's highly regarded as smart and very fast. That covers you for viruses on your Mac but this also does a whole lot more.
Ransomware, a big issue nowadays, is covered by a multi-layer protection meaning you will be kept safe online. There's also a browser extension that stops you from being tracked to keep you more anonymous while browsing. This will even block web trackers which not only helps maintain your online privacy but can speed up your experience. Add in the anti-phishing protection this offers and you're in for a very clean and private browser experience.
Bitdefender fights adware too so you should notice a lot less rubbish popping up when online. There's even a free VPN, with limited data, as well as a protection layer for Time Machine to keep your back-ups safe too.
This, uniquely, defends against Windows viruses too. That means you won't act as a transmitter potentially passing it along to the Window machines of others where it can do damage.
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is the best option out there right now.
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 offers something our number one spot holder doesn't - a firewall. It's a smart one too, offering intelligent protection to stop viruses before they even get to your machine. For anything that slips through it'll be met by protection that has all the latest virus defenses in place thanks to an impressive antivirus system that's been working and evolving on Macs for over two decades.
You also get excellent anti-phishing protection for a safer online experience. This will even make sure cheeky third-party apps that want at your data don't stand a chance of getting near it. Despite this being a great system for more advanced users, with lots of options, it's still nice and simple to use making it ideal for newbs too.
All that powerful protection means this can slow your machine down a little, compared to some other options, but if you've got plenty of power to spare then this is a great way to invest that in what's arguably the best antivirus for MacBook Pros. Ip camera video recording software.
Norton 360 Deluxe is the culmination of years of experience in the world of antivirus. As such this is not only good on your Mac but also on lots of other devices including smartphones and even PCs, with five devices covered at the same time. Expect powerful antivirus protection as well as anti-ransomware but even they're given another layer of protection thanks to an intelligent firewall.
All that has the addition of cloud backup, a very nice feature for the price. Factor in the addition of a VPN too and this starts to looks like a serious amount of protection and support for what you pay. Though it's worth mentioning this won't just cost you in money, it'll chew through a chunk of your processing power too, so make sure you have a fast machine if you're going to use this powerful beast of a suite.
While this is a more pricey option there are often deals so it's worth keeping your eye out for a saving before you commit.
Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac comes from a well known and long-standing brand that has plenty of experience in this area. As such you get some of the best malware protection, on top of the tailor-made antivirus for Macs. This will keep your Mac safe from attacks but also helps with privacy when online thanks to URL blocking and an encrypted browser for extra safety. There's smart ransomware protection to set your mind at ease too.
We like the specific webcam highjacking protection that means there's no need to cover that camera as you'll know nobody can gain access.
Yes, the interface has a lot going on that can be confusing at first, but essentially it's easy to use once you get going. You'll pay more than most charge for this big name brand but then you'll get more for your money too.
Avast Premium Security is a super easy to use protection system for your Mac which, despite a minimal interface, offers a raft of features. At its core the antivirus for Macs protection is excellent with an intelligent system working to keep your devices clean. But you also get the company's Ransomware Shield which works to protect against this type of malware meaning you're protected even against undiscovered threats.
Web browsing security is excellent with phishing sites detected. We also enjoyed the Wi-Fi intruder alert which lets you know if your home network is compromised.
This is an expensive option if you only use it for one Mac. But with up to 10 devices covered on the more pricey plan, it works out more value for money. That said there is a 60-day free trial so this is well worth a try before you buy.
If you're looking to add some new kit to go with to your new protected home internet setup then be sure to take a look at our picks for the best gaming PC. We've also noticed that this is a great time to pick up a cheap gaming laptop.
You may have heard this before: devices that run on iOS are immune to malware attacks – that Apple iMac, MacBook, Mac Pro are all safe from a wide range of threats.
Granted, Mac computers may have more than average security features that protect against viruses and other types of malware that affect Windows systems, but does it mean they are not vulnerable to some malware?
In this piece, we’ll examine whether there is a growing threat against Mac computer and how to beef up security using antivirus for your MacBook.
Is MacBook vulnerable to viruses?
First, let’s get this question out of the way. The short answer is Yes. Your MacBook is vulnerable to some malware, and, unfortunately, the threat is only increasing.
That is not to say, though, that all the MacBook built-in security features are not working.
You see, as Mac computers grow in popularity and more people adopt the brand, they become increasingly attractive to hackers and malware makers to target.
Another reason for the growing threat is that, on average, MacBook users are likely to be wealthier than their PC counterparts. This makes stealing their data, including financial information, attractive for hackers.
Built-in Mac security features
Every Mac computer comes with default security features that are designed to keep your system safe. The first line of defense is the platform on which the MacOS was built on – the Unix framework renowned for its reliability and robust security systems.
In addition to the core Unix, macOS comes with extra security features that include:
The Gatekeeper: This is Apple’s security measure to quarantine any app you haven’t granted permission. The program will prevent the app from running until you have authorized it.
Gatekeeper is designed to block apps and even prevent you from downloading programs from unlicensed Apple developers by default. So, you are not even going to download the program in the first place as long as you didn’t bypass the Gatekeeper software.
Xprotect – is Apple’s malware scanner that runs in the background. Whenever you try to open a file on your Mac, Xprotect scans the file and compares it with known macOS malware signatures.
Xprotect notifies you with a warning sign when it finds something suspicious. Xprotect is automatically updated whenever system updates occur.
Malware removal tool – Mac computers also have a built-in malware removal tool that automatically gets rid of known malware during a system update.
Are these security features enough?
These are solid default security features to protect your system, no doubt. But, in a world of increasing and sophisticated threats to Mac computers, you just want all the help you can get to safeguard your MacBook.
While updating your system regularly and following other safety measures are probably the best ways to protect your Mac computer, you may want to consider deploying antivirus to offer additional security layer for your system.
Best Antivirus software for MacBook
When you do decide to install antivirus on your MacBook, here are two of the antivirus programs we do recommend:
Norton
Norton has evolved considerably since it first launched 15 years ago. The latest iteration of the program focused on five core functions: Device security, Cloud Backup, Password Manager, Secure VPN, and Parental Control (available for 360 Deluxe and 360 premium).
Norton is undoubtedly one of the top-performing security software on the market. It’s powerful antivirus detection, and protection feature is super-charged to quickly quarantine any suspicious file and prevent any malicious process from running.
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Eset
Best Antivirus For Macbook Air
A major concern for most Mac users is that antivirus programs slow down their system. Well, Eset is a lightweight, blistering fast antivirus software that doesn’t clog your system while still doing its job.
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Eset software received a perfect score from AV-Test after running the program against some of the well-known and prevalent malware. You can be sure that Eset will protect your system against different types of malware and viruses, including Trojans, backdoors, and ransomware.
Wrapping up
While Mac computers come with default security features that can hold their own, an increasing threat from sophisticated malicious entities means, you cannot entirely rely on the built-in features to protect your systems.
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The antivirus software we recommend is proven to overtime to be reliable, secure, and able to get the job done.