Virus Tool For Mac

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DON’T PANIC! But be aware that the Internet is riddled with potential threats to the security and well-being of your Mac or iOS device. No computer system is completely immune from possible attack, but Apple’s OS X (being Unix-based) is less vulnerable than most, particularly the latest versions from Lion onwards. The following seeks to offer some guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them. If you have further questions please post in the forum appropriate to your particular hardware or operating system.


Uninstallation tool is included to the Kaspersky Security for Mac distributive. In order to uninstall Kaspersky Security for Mac using the uninstallation tool, perform the following actions. Download the standard uninstallation tool for Kaspersky Security for Mac.; Double-click the downloaded archive. Double-click Uninstall Kaspersky Security. Open the file Kaspersky Security with the.

  1. The Mac Malwarebytes version started as an adware removal tool, but as of today, it’s also a full-fledged tool for protecting your machine against other forms of malware.
  2. McAfee Stinger is a standalone utility used to detect and remove specific viruses. It is not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but a specialized tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with infected system.
  3. Download Malwarebytes for Mac (the free version) and you get a 14-day trial of the premium version with automatic (real-time) virus and malware protection. After 14 days, your trial reverts to a limited disinfection scanner.
  4. It is important that any previously installed antivirus software is uninstalled from your system before installing your ESET security product. Click the link associated with the antivirus software currently installed on your system and follow the prompts or instructions on the website.


There are many forms of ‘Malware’ that can affect a computer system, of which ‘a virus’ is but one type, ‘trojans’ another. Using the strict definition of a computer virus, no viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions. The same is not true of other forms of malware, such as Trojans. (The expression ‘malware’ is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software. Not all malware are viruses.) Whilst it is a fairly safe bet that your Mac will NOT be infected by a virus, it may have other security-related problem, but more likely a technical problem unrelated to any malware threat.


Since the introduction of Snow Leopard, Apple OS X has an anti-malware system built-in known as XProtect but officially called File Quarantine (see here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3662 ), which may alert you to, and prevent installation of, certain forms of malware. Later versions of OS X include further features to protect you, about which here: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11432 and Apple also recommend that you take simple steps to protect your Mac as detailed here: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10580


So what other anti-virus software do I need (or if I am still running Tiger or Leopard) ?


Whilst viruses designed to attack the Microsoft Windows operating system cannot affect Apple OS X, it is possible to pass on a Windows virus, which you may have received but not noticed, to a Windows user, for example through an email attachment. Many use the free ClamXav just to check incoming emails for this reason. Our resident expert Thomas A Reed offers excellent guidance on this subject here: www.thesafemac.com/mmg


Do not install Norton Anti-Virus on a Mac as it can seriously damage your operating system. Norton Anti-Virus is not compatible with Apple OS X.


Do not install MacKeeper or iAnti-Virus: See this User Tip: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3022


Virus Removal For Mac Free

FAKE ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE and associated MALWARE (To repeat: the expression ‘malware’ is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software.)


Do not be tricked by 'scareware', such as pop-ups on your browser, that tempts computer users to download fake anti-virus software that may itself be malware.

Once installed, the software may steal data or force people to make a payment to register the fake product. Examples include MacKeeper and iAntivirus, but there are others. Also, beware of MacSweeper and MACDefender* (also goes under the name of MacProtector, MacGuard, MacSecurity or MacShield): These are malware that mislead users by exaggerating reports about spyware, adware or viruses on their computer in an attempt to obtain payment for an application that does nothing that free utilities do not also offer, and in many cases will also mess up your system.

*Malicious software dubbed MACDefender takes aim at users of the Mac OS X operating system by automatically downloading a file through JavaScript. But users must also agree to install the software, leaving the potential threat limited.


*(This malware is not to be confused with MacDefender, the maker of geocaching software including GCStatistic and DTmatrix. The company noted on its site it is not affiliated with the malware.)

Malware spreads through search engines like Google via a method known as 'SEO poisoning.' The sites are designed to game search engine algorithms and show up when users search for certain topics. It is always a good idea to Block Pop-ups in your browser preferences.


TROJANS and RE-DIRECTION TO FAKE WEBSITES


The appearance of Trojans and other malware that can possibly infect a Mac seems to be growing, but is a completely different issue to viruses.


If you allow a Trojan to be installed, the user's DNS records can be modified, redirecting incoming internet traffic through the attacker's servers, where it can be hijacked and injected with malicious websites and pornographic advertisements. The trojan also installs a watchdog process that ensures the victim's (that's you!) DNS records stay modified on a minute-by-minute basis.


Mac users should always obtain their copy of Adobe Flash Player directly from Adobe’s official website and to disable the 'Open 'safe' files after downloading' option in Safari Preferences/General to avoid automatically running files downloaded from the Internet. Also, do not turn on Java in Safari Preferences/Security. Few websites use Java. Javascript is something entirely different and should be left active.


(Adobe is aware of malware posing as its Flash Player and warns users to ignore any updates that didn't originate on its own servers. 'Do not download Flash Player from a site other than adobe.com,' said David Lenoe, Adobe's product security program manager, in an entry on Adobe Product Security Incident Response Team's PSIRT blog. 'This goes for any piece of software (Reader, Windows Media Player, QuickTime, etc). If you get a notice to update, it's a good idea to go directly to the site of the software vendor and download the update directly from the source. If the download is from an unfamiliar URL or an IP address, you should be suspicious.')

Last, but by no means least, using Open DNS is the simplest way of preventing infection in the first place. Open DNS also protects against phishing attacks, re-directs, speeds up your internet connection - see below.



How to get it:



Java can present serious security threats: Users with Intel Macs running Snow Leopard OS 10.6 or later versions of OS X should ensure that they have downloaded and installed all the recent Java updates from Apple, which are designed to prevent infection and also remove any infection already present.

From the introduction of Lion onwards, new Macs do not have either Flash Player nor Java installed.


+++ OTHER ISSUES +++



HOW TO AVOID RE-DIRECTION


Adding Open DNS codes to your Network Preferences should give good results in terms of added security (phishing attacks, re-direction etc) as well as speed-up of your internet connection:


Open System Preferences/Network. Double click on your connection type, or select it in the drop-down menu, and in the box marked 'DNS Servers' add the following two numbers:


208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220


(You can also enter them if you click on Advanced and then DNS)


Sometimes reversing the order of the DNS numbers can be beneficial in cases where there is a long delay before web pages start to load, and then suddenly load at normal speed:



There may be other ways of guarding against Trojans, viruses and general malware affecting the Mac, and alternatives will probably appear in the future. In the meantime the advice is: be careful where you go on the web and what you download!


GENERAL ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID INFECTION IN THE FIRST PLACE:

1. Avoid going to suspect and untrusted Web sites, especially p'orn'ography sites.


2. Check out what you are downloading. Mac OS X asks you for you administrator password to install applications for a reason! Only download media and applications from well-known and trusted Web sites, i.e. the developers’ own web sites or the Apple App Store. If you think you may have downloaded suspicious files, read the installer packages and make sure they are legit. If you cannot determine if the program you downloaded is infected, do a quick Internet search and see if any other users reported issues after installing a particular program.


3. Use an antivirus program like ClamXav. If you are in the habit of downloading a lot of media and other files, it may be well worth your while to run those files through this AV application.


4. Consider using Mac OS X's built-in Firewalls and other security features.


5. Avoid Peer-to-peer sharing applications. Download torrents (such as the now defunct LimeWire) supplying pirated software, movies etc are hotbeds of potential software issues waiting to happen to your Mac. Everything from changing permissions to downloading trojans and other malicious software can be acquired from using these applications. Similar risks may apply to using Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and similar sites which are prone to malicious hacking (see below): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8420233.stm

It has been estimated that one in six links posted on Facebook pages are connected to malicious software.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12967254

6. Check for security updates from Apple using Software Update and install them!

YOUR PRIVACY ON THE INTERNET and the latest risks to look out for:


There is the potential for having your entire email contact list stolen for use for spamming:



And if you are using iPhone Apps you are also at risk of losing all privacy:



The advent of HTML5 may also be a future threat to internet privacy:



NOTE:Apple's operating systems since Snow Leopard silently update the malware protection built into Mac OS X to protect against a backdoor Trojan Horse that can allow hackers to gain remote control over your treasured iMac or MacBook.

For


+++++ MORE POTENTIAL ISSUES +++++


PHISHING AND POTENTIAL IDENTITY THEFT:

'Phishing' (also known as 'carding' or 'spoofing') refers to email that attempts to fraudulently acquire personal information from you, such as your account password or credit card information. On the surface, the email may appear to be from a legitimate company or individual, but it's not.

As a general rule, never send credit card information, account passwords, or extensive personal information in an email unless you verify that the recipient is who they claim to be. Many companies have policies that state they will never solicit such information from customers by email, and that includes your bank, credit card company, and Apple.

If you do receive email that you're not sure is valid, here are some tips that can help you determine its legitimacy:

Learn how to identify fraudulent 'phishing' email:

How to report phishing scams to Apple:

via email to: reportphishing@apple.com

If you discover that emails are being received by your entire address list which you didn’t send, it is possible that you have been infected by a Botnet. Simply put, a bot – which is short for robot – is an automated computer program that allows outside sources to control computers remotely without the users' knowledge. A botnet is a network of hundreds or thousands of computers infected with botnet malware that communicates covertly with a command-and-control (CnC) server run by a type of cybercriminal called a botmaster. Unbeknownst to the individual users, their computers are linked in a rogue network which the botmaster can utilize for a variety of nefarious purposes.

Detailed information here:

HOW SAFE IS YOUR SMARTPHONE?

Another source of malware, apart from sites like Facebook and Hotmail, is the Android Marketplace: more than 99% of Android phones are potentially leaking data that, if stolen, could be used to get the information they store online.

The data being leaked is typically used to get at web-based services such as Google Calendar.

The open nature of the Android platform is both a boon and a danger, and as Facebook have already discovered it is also a very attractive criminal playground: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12633923

Several pieces of malware have also been found on iPhones, however only devices that had been 'jailbroken' to bypass Apple's security were affected. The company's process of pre-vetting all new applications is believed to have spared its devices from a major attack.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: BE GLAD YOU HAVE A MAC!


Some Windows PCs can be infected with viruses during the manufacturing process in the factories - in other words they can actually be purchased with viruses bundled with the operating system! Several new computers have been found carrying malware installed in the factory, suggests a Microsoft study. One virus called Nitol found by Microsoft steals personal details to help criminals plunder online bank accounts. Microsoft won permission from a US court to tackle the network of hijacked PCs made from Nitol-infected computers.


This does not happen with Apple computers!



OTHER POTENTIAL THREATS YOU MAY BE UNAWARE OF:


In reality of course, there is no such thing as total internet privacy: US and British intelligence agencies have successfully cracked much of the online encryption relied upon by hundreds of millions of people to protect the privacy of their personal data, online transactions and emails: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/nsa-gchq-encryption-codes-security


If you have a Facebook account, Facebook is surveilling every single moment you spend there. Moreover, much more importantly, every web page you touch that has a Facebook 'like' button on it which, whether you click the button or not, will report your reading of that page to Facebook.

If the newspaper you read every day has Facebook 'like' buttons or similar services' buttons on those pages, then Facebook or the other service watches you read the newspaper: it knows which stories you read and how long you spent on them.

Every time you tweet a URL, Twitter is shortening the URL for you. But it is also arranging that anybody who clicks on that URL will be monitored by Twitter as they read. You are not only helping people know what's on the web, but also helping Twitter read over everybody's shoulder everything you recommend.

And now ‘smart TVs’ are also adding to your loss of privacy: 'Smart TVs' are bringing PC-style spyware and banner ads to the living room, collecting detailed logs of data that include every time the channel is changed and the names of every media file watched. In the case of sets from LG, data is being sent to the factory unencrypted, even after users attempt to turn the data collection off. Source: http://doctorbeet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/lg-smart-tvs-logging-usb-filenames-and. html


Since the issue became public it has emerged that Sony's PlayStation also collects data from every Blu-ray disc that is played.

Additional reading:

'Antivirus Software On Your Mac: Yes or No?'


Other malware removal tip and malware removal software sites:

Note: if at all possible before trying to remove malware, do abackupof your data. While you may backup the virus as well, you can usually extract document files themselves which are uninfected from the backup in case the virus removal tool was too thorough. ZIP archives, applications, scpt files and .jar files should be considered infected if you don't know their source:


Malwarebytes for Mac — Mac Antivirus Replacement | Malwarebytes - note removal of this software itself can be done with Download CCleaner | Clean, optimize & tune up your PC, free! (this software also supports removal of system caches, which is NOT recommended).

EasyFind & Find Any File - offer index (no interference from Spotlight) free file searches that allow you to eliminate known malware by file name.

Mac

Even Macs Need Antivirus Protection

You heard it on the TV—Macs don't get viruses. And like much of what you hear on the TV, this isn't true. Sure, macOS is intrinsically more secure than Windows or Android, but Mac-centered malware totally exists. The time to think about protecting your Mac is now, not after you've lost all your important documents to ransomware. If you're picking a Mac antivirus for the first time, don't worry. Our reviews will help you make an informed choice.

As with Windows antivirus tools, the most common price is just under $40 per year for a single license. ProtectWorks is unusual in that a single $29.95 payment lets you protect all the Macs in your household, with no subscription needed. McAfee goes beyond that, with a $59.99 per year subscription that protects all your Macs, PCs, Android, and iOS devices. With Sophos Home Premium, $60 per year lets you install and remotely manage protection on 10 Macs or PCs. At the high end, you pay $99.99 per year for a three-license subscription to Intego Mac Internet Security X9.

You may have heard that macOS Mojave, the latest macOS, advances the platform's privacy and security. Safari on Mojave automatically blocks ads and social media trackers. The built-in password manager does more than ever. And when AppleScript apps try to access internal macOS features, Mojave makes them wait until you give permission. But nothing we've seen suggests that upgrading to Mojave will obviate the need for an antivirus utility.

Free Mac Antivirus Protection

There's another angle to the variation in Mac antivirus pricing. How about paying nothing at all? Avast Security (for Mac), AVG AntiVirus for Mac, Avira Free Antivirus for Mac, and Sophos Home Free (for Mac) are totally free for personal use, although Sophos technically limits you to three devices, macOS or Windows. AVG also offers free antivirus for Mac, but until its phishing protection improves we can't recommend it. The best commercial products offer more protection but if you can't afford the best, at least install a free antivirus.

What's Not Here

Every macOS antivirus that earned 3.5 stars or better appears in the chart above. Another half-dozen managed a decent three-star rating, but there isn't room for another six products. I chose to favor three products that originated on the Mac platform, ClamXAV and Intego Mac Internet Security. Everything else being equal, there's surely some virtue in loyalty to macOS.

Avast Security Pro (for Mac), ESET Cyber Security (for Mac), and Malwarebytes for Mac Premium also earned three stars, as did the Mac-specific ProtectWorks AntiVirus. However, ProtectWorks, ESET, and Malwarebytes don't have any lab results at present, and with Avast, you might as well use the free edition, because you don't get a lot more by paying. These four didn't quite make it into the chart. The names Avast, ESET, and Malwarebytes are well known in Windows circles. If you're using a Windows security product from one of these companies, it makes sense to do the same on your Macs.

Malware Protection Lab Certifications

When you go to select a new washer, refrigerator, or other appliance, chances are good you research it first. User reviews can be helpful, as long as you discard the very best and very worst of them. But actual test results performed by an independent lab give you more reliable information. Two large labs include macOS antivirus products in their testing, but the slate of products for testing is variable. When we first rounded up Mac antivirus products, all those in the chart below had at least one certification, but at present, many of them don't appear in either lab's test results.

The researchers at AV-Test Institute evaluate Mac antivirus products on three criteria: protection, performance, and usability. A product can earn up to six points for each. Protection against malware protection is essential, of course, as is a low impact on performance. A high usability score reflects a small number of false positives, legitimate programs and websites identified as dangerous. Several products achieved a perfect 18 points, all six points for all three criteria.

In the macOS malware test by AV-Comparatives, most charted products scored 100 percent. This lab, too, included a test using malware aimed at Windows. Yes, these samples can't affect a computer running macOS, but they could conceivably escape to Windows machines on the network. Scores in the Windows malware test ranged from zero to 100 percent, which is quite a span.

Results in macOS-specific tests have a much smaller point spread than in tests of Windows antivirus utilities. It's good that many products in the chart received at least one certification for Mac protection, and even better that some received two certifications.

Hands-On Phishing Protection Testing

Sophos Virus Removal Tool For Mac

When we test malware protection on Windows, we use live malware inside an isolated virtual machine. We've coded a number of analysis tools over the years to help with this testing. Little of that testing regimen carries over to the Mac.

Phishing, however, isn't platform-specific, and neither is our antiphishing test. Phishing websites imitate secure sites, everything from banks and finance sites to gaming and dating sites. If you enter your credentials at the fake login page, you've given the phisher access to your account. And it doesn't matter if you are browsing on a PC, a Mac, or an internet-aware sewing machine.

Almost all the products in the chart below include protection against malicious and fraudulent sites. With ClamXAV and Intego, this just isn't an included feature. Malwarebytes and ProtectWorks also lack an antiphishing component.

The wily malefactors who create phishing sites are in the business of deception, and they constantly change and update their techniques, hoping to evade detection. If one fraudulent site gets blacklisted or shut down by the authorities, they simply pop up with a new one. That being the case, we try to use the very newest phishing URLs for testing, scraping them from phishing-focused websites.

We launch each URL simultaneously in four browsers. One is Safari or Chrome on the Mac, protected by the Mac antivirus that's under test. The other three use the protection built into Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Discarding any that don't fit the phishing profile, and any that don't load correctly in all four browsers, we report the product's detection rate as well as the difference between its detection rate and that of the other three test systems.

Most of the products in this roundup beat the combined average of the three browsers. Kaspersky and McAfee top the list with 100 percent detection, while Bitdefender's score of 99 percent comes close behind. All three of these winners scored precisely the same when tested under Windows.

Ransomware Protection

The scourge of ransomware is on the rise. While ransomware attacks are more common on Windows devices, Macs have suffered as well. Of course, any antivirus utility should handle ransomware just as it handles spyware, Trojans, viruses, and other malware types. But since the consequences of missing a ransomware attack are so great, some security products add components with the sole purpose of preventing ransomware attacks.

We've observed a wide variety of ransomware protection techniques on Windows. These include blocking unauthorized access to user documents, detecting ransomware based on its activity, and recovering encrypted files from backup. Of the products listed here, Bitdefender and Trend Micro offer a ransomware component that blocks unauthorized modification of protected documents.

As with Bitdefender's Windows edition, the Safe Files feature prevents all unauthorized access to your documents. On a Mac, it also protects your Time Machine backups. Trend Micro offers multiple layers of Windows ransomware protection. Folder Shield, which, like Safe Files, prevents unauthorized document access, is the only layer that made its way to the macOS edition.

Sophos Home Premium includes the same CryptoGuard behavior-based ransomware protection found in its Windows equivalent. Our Windows test sytsems are virtual machines, so we feel free to release real-world ransomware for testing. We just roll back the virtual machine to a clean snapshot after testing. We don't have the option to do that on the physical Mac testbed, so we just have to figure that since it worked on Windows, it probably works on macOS.

Spyware Protection

Any kind of malware problem is unpleasant, but spyware may be the most unnerving. Imagine some creeper secretly peeking at you through your Mac's webcam! Other types of spying include logging keystrokes to capture your passwords, sending Trojans to steal your personal data, and watching your online activities to build a profile. As with ransomware protection, we've observed more features specifically devoted to spyware protection on Windows-based security products than on the Mac, but a few products in this collection do pay special attention to spyware.

Under Windows, Kaspersky's Safe Money feature opens sensitive sites in a secure browser that's hardened against outside interference. The Safe Money feature on the Mac doesn't do that, but it does check URLs to make sure you're on a legitimate secure site. Kaspersky offers an onscreen keyboard, so you can enter passwords with no chance of capture by a keylogger. Its webcam protection isn't as configurable as it is on Windows, but you can use it to disable your Mac's webcam whenever you're not using it. It even includes the ability to block advertisers and others from tracking your online activities. If spyware is your bugaboo, you'll like Kaspersky.

Sophos Home Premium offers protection for the webcam and microphone that's more substantial than Kaspersky's. You get a notification any time an untrusted program attempts to access either; you can allow access or stop the program. There's also an option to whitelist a program, so you don't get a popup every time you use your off-brand video chat tool.

Bonus Features

Many antivirus tools on Windows pack in a ton of bonus features, packing in everything from tune-up utilities to VPNs. That behavior seems less common on the macOS side, though Norton now includes a VPN with no bandwidth limits. Even so, some vendors don't have a standalone Mac antivirus, opting instead to offer a full security suite as the baseline level of protection, and a few others include suite-like bonus features in the basic antivirus.

A typical personal firewall component blocks attacks coming in from the internet and also manages network permissions for programs installed on your Mac. Intego, McAfee, and Norton each include a firewall component, while Kaspersky's Network Protection comes close.

Free Virus Remover For Mac

Parental control is another common suite component. With Sophos (free or premium) and Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac, a content filter can block access to websites matching unwanted categories. Kaspersky goes beyond that, with content filtering, screen time limits, and control over apps used. An additional $14.99 per year unlocks all the features of the powerful Kaspersky Safe Kids.

Protect Your Mac

Most of the products covered in this roundup earned certification from at least one independent testing lab; some managed two certifications. There really are no bad choices here, as far as basic antivirus protection goes. Even so, a few products stood out. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac not only achieved certification from both labs, it earned the maximum score in every test, and took the top antiphishing score. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac also earned high scores. It offers a full suite of Mac security tools, at the same price competitors charge for basic antivirus protection. Symantec Norton 360 Deluxe (for Mac) is also a suite, and its features include a no-limits VPN. These three are our Editors' Choice winners for Mac antivirus protection.

Look over the reviews, pick the product that suits you best, and get your Mac protected. Once you've done that, you should also consider installing a Mac VPN. While an antivirus protects you, your devices, and your data locally, a VPN extends that protection to your online activities, protecting both your security and your privacy.

Editors' Note: We are aware of the allegations of Kaspersky's inappropriate ties to the Russian government. Until we see some actual proof of these allegations, we will treat them as unproven, and continue to recommend Kaspersky's security products as long as their performance continues to merit our endorsement.

Scan Mac For Virus

Best Mac Antivirus Protection Featured in This Roundup:

  • Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Protects files and backups from ransomware. Top ratings from two independent testing labs. Excellent score in our antiphishing test. No-hassle Autopilot mode. Blocks ad trackers in browsers. Includes VPN.

    Cons: Full access to VPN features requires separate subscription.

    Bottom Line: Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac gets top marks from the independent labs and in our own hands-on testing. With its handy Autopilot mode, you can set it, forget it, and have confidence that your Mac is protected against malware.

    Read Review
  • Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Excellent scores from two independent testing labs. Kaspersky Safe Kids for parental control. Network protection. Perfect score in our antiphishing test. Privacy protection. Useful bonus tools.

    Cons: Safe Money and webcam protection features are limited compared to their Windows counterparts. Safe Kids and VPN require additional subscription for full functionality.

    Bottom Line: Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac excels in independent lab tests, and it goes far beyond mere antivirus, offering protection against network attacks, parental control, privacy protection, and many other useful features.

    Read Review
  • Symantec Norton 360 Deluxe (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $99.99

    Pros: Includes no-limits VPN. Certified by one independent testing lab. Fast scan. Firewall blocks exploit attacks. Cleans up unneeded files.

    Cons: Relatively expensive. Limited detection of Windows malware.

    Bottom Line: Symantec's Norton 360 Deluxe delivers lab-certified Mac antivirus protection along with a two-way firewall, a password manager, and a full-powered VPN.

    Read Review
  • Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Very fast full scan. Certified by one antivirus lab. Excellent phishing protection. Excellent detection of Windows malware. Marks dangerous links in search results.

    Cons: Lowest passing score in independent lab test.

    Bottom Line: Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus is by far the fastest Mac antivirus scanner we've seen, and it provides especially good phishing protection in our testing, too.

    Read Review
  • F-Secure Safe (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $69.99

    Pros: Very good scores from two testing labs. Simple cross-platform parental control. Quick full scan.

    Cons: Expensive at high numbers of licenses. So-so phishing protection.

    Bottom Line: F-Secure Safe for Mac gets high marks from two independent antivirus testing labs. It offers simple multi-device parental control, but it can't match the rich feature collections of the best Mac antivirus tools.

    Read Review
  • McAfee AntiVirus Plus (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Subscription covers unlimited macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS devices. Perfect score in antiphishing test. Includes simple personal firewall.

    Cons: No current test results from independent labs. Firewall no longer includes application control.

    Bottom Line: One subscription gives you unlimited licenses to protect all your Macs with McAfee AntiVirus Plus, and your Windows, Android, and iOS devices, too, and it aces our phishing protection test.

    Read Review
  • Sophos Home Premium (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $60.00

    Pros: Remote management. Webcam protection. Decent phishing protection. Ransomware protection. Simple parental control. Inexpensive.

    Cons: No independent lab test results. Parental content filter foiled by secure anonymizing proxy. Lacks exploit protection, download reputation check, keylogger protection, and other advanced features found in the Windows edition.

    Bottom Line: Sophos Home Premium offers Mac antivirus protection at a low price, but it lacks many advanced features found in the Windows edition and doesn't have verification from independent testing labs.

    Read Review
  • Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Review


    MSRP: $39.95

    Pros: Certified by two antivirus testing labs. Speedy full scan. Social network privacy scan. Includes ransomware protection, webcam privacy, and parental control.

    Cons: Parental control foiled by secure anonymizing proxy. Very poor phishing protection score. Webcam privacy needs work. Social network privacy not fully functional. Licensing model not practical for all-Mac households.

    Bottom Line: Two major independent testing labs certify Trend Micro's ability to fight malware on your Mac. It comes with a boatload of bonus features, but some of those need work.

    Read Review
  • Avast Security Pro (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Certified by one independent testing lab. Speedy full scan. Excellent phishing protection for Chrome and Firefox. Useful bonus features. Ransomware protection. Wi-Fi intruder detection.

    Cons: Doesn't add much to free edition's features. Expensive. Poor phishing protection for Safari. Password manager includes only basic features.

    Bottom Line: Avast Security Pro (for Mac) adds ransomware protection and Wi-Fi intruder detection to the features found in Avast's free antivirus, but these additions don't merit its high price.

    Read Review
  • ClamXav (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $29.95

    Pros: Lab-certified for Mac malware protection. Scans for malware on demand, on access, and on schedule. Straightforward user interface.

    Cons: No filtering of malicious or fraudulent websites.

    Bottom Line: ClamXAV wraps the venerable, open source ClamAntiVirus engine in a straightforward user interface. It's lab-certified to protect your Mac, but doesn't go beyond the basics.

    Read Review
  • ESET Cyber Security (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Elaborate scan scheduling options. Good detection of Windows malware. Simple device control. Includes online cybersecurity training.

    Cons: Poor results in our hands-on antiphishing test. Slow scans in testing. No longer certified by independent labs.

    Bottom Line: Though it doesn't have current certification from independent testing labs, ESET Cyber Security offers comprehensive protection for your macOS devices plus cybersecurity training.

    Read Review
  • Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Review


    MSRP: $49.99

    Pros: Certified by two labs for Mac malware protection. Includes full-featured firewall. Detects Mac, Windows, and Linux malware.

    Cons: Poor detection of Windows malware. No protection against malicious or fraudulent websites.

    Bottom Line: Intego Mac Internet Security X9 scores well in lab tests using Mac malware, and it offers firewall protection. But it fails against Windows malware and lacks protection against dangerous URLs.

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  • Malwarebytes for Mac Premium Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Extremely fast malware scan. Very good reputation among tech experts.

    Cons: No protection against malicious or fraudulent websites. No detection of Windows malware.

    Bottom Line: The premium edition of Malwarebytes for Mac scans for active malware and uses real-time detection to prevent infestation. It has a very good reputation, but hard data showing its effectiveness is scarce.

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  • ProtectWorks AntiVirus (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $44.99

    Pros: Certified for Mac protection by an independent testing lab. Scans on demand, on access, and on schedule.

    Cons: No web-based protection against malicious or fraudulent sites. Mediocre detection of Windows malware.

    Bottom Line: An independent lab verifies that ProtectWorks AntiVirus can keep your Mac safe from malware, but it lacks some useful features found in competing products.

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