How to pick the Best Antivirus for Mac
Some people will argue that Macs don’t need an antivirus and we’d understand where they are coming from. Mac computers are much secured compared to their Windows counterparts. They are also not as widely used as Windows PC and hence they not very appealing to most hackers. Additionally, the fact that the Mac operating system is based on Unix makes it more secure than Windows. That’s because even if malware was to find its way into the computer, it would most probably end up getting isolated and barred from reaching the computer’s nervous system. This makes it difficult for any malware to gain access to all the data that is available on your device.
Here is the thing though cybercriminals have been getting really smart, and Macs are becoming even more popular. This significantly increases the likelihood of Mac’s getting exposed to new and advanced types of malware. Since the streaming world is also getting more and more popular and a vast majority of other activities taking place online, Mac devices continue to be more susceptible to hackers. With all that I mind, don’t you think getting an antivirus as a secondary layer of protection makes perfect sense?
What’s the best antivirus for mac?
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is the best antivirus for mac. This software is engineered to deliver various layers of security to counter malware at different points. What makes it even better is that it combines modern security features which have proven to be very effective in dealing with modern, sophisticated viruses and malware. This should give you the peace of mind you need to shop across different online platforms and stream your favorite shows without worrying that your passwords and data will end up in the wrong hands.
Before we dive into the finer details of the Intego mac internet security X9 and some of its alternatives, we’d like to give you a few pointers on what informed our choices:
The first thing we look for in an antivirus is its ability to fight antivirus from entering your computer in the first place. If the software is powerful enough to detect and block malicious downloads at the entry-level, you’ll never have to clean your system at all. At this point, we usually test various antivirus with different types of malware from numerous points of entry, i.e., we can try to download malware from the web, through email attachments, connectivity ports, and even wireless networks. Remember that these are the things you interact with on a daily basis, and hence, it’s crucial to know that the software is strong enough to detect and fight the virus.
Secondly, we test the antivirus to see how thorough they are at scanning, detecting, and removing malware from an infected device. You want an antivirus that is really efficient at scanning for malware and removing it; otherwise, your system may live with a virus and get compromised severely before you realize that it is infected.
Another crucial thing to consider is how resource-intensive the software is. The last thing you’d want is for your computer to be almost unusable when the antivirus is running. This means that you need to look for a light software that smoothly operates from the background allowing you to proceed with your other tasks.
Finally, we start to look for all the minor but helpful features included in the package. These may include password protection, VPN, Do Not Disturb modes, and others. We also check on user-friendliness, and this is a vital aspect to consider, especially if you are not tech-savvy.
With that said, here is a breakdown of the best antivirus for mac:
Intego Mac Internet Security X9
The Intego Mac Internet Security X9 is an award-winning mac antivirus well known for its effectiveness in fighting both Mac and PC malware. This is crucial because you’re always going to be sharing files with Windows PCs and hence having an antivirus that can also fight this threat is paramount. The software offers real-time protection making sure that every file, webpage or link you’re trying to open is free from malware.
Say, for instance, an infected file found its way into your system. Some of this malware doesn’t need to be run to spread because even opening an infected file alone can be enough to do some damage. Through the fast Intego Mac X9, every file you open will be scanned in the background, and any suspicious folders will be blocked.
If you’ve created an Apple ecosystem for yourself, you’ll hugely benefit from Intego Mac Internet Security X9 because it can also protect you from iOS threats. If your iPad, iPhone, or even iPod is infected and you connect it to your Mac, the Intego X9 will ensure that the virus does not spread to your PC. But before all that, the software will alert you of any devices that are trying to get connected to your Mac. You will then have the option of choosing whether the devices should access your Mac or not.
Through the two-way firewall Netbarrier X9, this software will also protect you from home and hotspot network connections. The antivirus will detect and fight any spyware while also keeping an eye on the applications that are using your network. Any new connection will be, and you’ll decide whether you want to allow or block the connection. This should make it really difficult for any unauthorized personnel to gain access to your PC. You can also block applications in your mac from communicating with certain internet domains. This will protect you from suspicious connections without affecting their functions.
Finally, we love the Intego Mac Internet Security X9 for how easy it is to install and use. The entire installation procedure is well arranged for everyone to understand and execute. You can adjust the settings to fit with your preferences. It’s also possible to decide the devices and connections that can access your Mac. Also, the location-aware firewall will easily detect whether you are at work, café, home, or traveling, and it will automatically adjust the settings to offer the best protection for that particular situation.
System Requirements
- Mac OS X 10.8 – Mac OS 10.14
- 1.5GB hard disk space
- Internet Connection
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
Bitdefender Antivirus software is used by well over 500 million systems worldwide. This is an insane number, and it shows just how trusted the software is. It’s important to note that Bitdefender is also one of the best antivirus overall after years of consistently making highly-secured software for windows PC. The same expertise is also found in the special Antivirus for Mac.
The Bitdefender Shield will make your life very easy. This tool will automatically protect your system by detecting and removing any malware automatically. The best part? You will never have to worry about the tool’s operations affecting your system’s performance since it’s not resource-intensive. The antivirus also offers multi-layer ransomware protection and a Safe File. Through the multiple layers of ransomware protection, the software makes it even harder for malware to find their way to your system.
Meanwhile, the Safe File acts like a vault where you can store the most sensitive files. The files in the Safe are protected by even stronger encryption making it harder for malware and other unauthorized personnel to access your documents. In case your system ends up being infected by a ransomware, Bitdefender’s Time Machine will help you to restore all the affected files without forcing you to pay the ransom.
This antivirus also offers excellent protection against phishing websites. Through the Anti-Phishing tool, the software will keep you safe from websites or links that are trying to get your credit card numbers and passwords. This is vital, especially if you are engaged in a lot of online shopping. The adware protection will also enhance your online experience by preventing or at least reducing the number of ads you’re coming across.
Bitdefender has also introduced a Bitdefender VPN. This helps in making your online identity giving you more protection to do your online business. However, VPN offers just 200MB per day. This is just enough for you to make some vital transactions online and nothing else. If you are looking for more than that, then you may consider checking out the best VPN with a bigger limit.
Through the automatic security updates, the antivirus will always be up to date and capable of fighting the newer and more complex malware.
System Requirements
- Mac OS 10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.14 or later
- 1Gb hard disk space
- Internet connection
Sophos Home Premium for Mac
The Sophos Home Premium for Mac comes with vast security features to protect your system from both the old and new threats. In case you are tight on budget, Sophos also offers a free version of the software which although it’s great in blocking threats, it is not as feature-packed as the premium alternative.
The antivirus comes with real-time protection against Trojans, bots, ransomware, phishing websites, and other types of malware. The software performs really well in keeping your browsing safe while also protecting the access to your microphone and webcam. It also monitors how different apps are behaving, and it will block any application trying to access or share your sensitive data.
Another vital feature found in the Sophos Home Premium for Mac is Parental Website Filtering. You can use this to limit the type of content that your children are accessing online. Given that you can connect up to 10 different devices (including Windows) you can comfortably use this software for all your home devices knowing you’re safe from malware while also protecting your children from cybercriminals.
System Requirements
- macOS 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, and 10.14
- 4GB hard disk space
- At least 4Gb of RAM