5 Best Anti-virus Software for Mac


One of the best things about having a Mac is you’re less likely to be a victim of malware and viruses. However, that is not to say that your Mac is immune to every and all malicious attacks. As we all know, we’re being targeted more and more. In order to ensure better protection, it’s important to take that extra step to avoid falling victim or ransomware or password theft.

Having good anti-virus software on your Mac can be useful in making sure that your data is protected all year-round. In case there’s malware in circulation, great anti-virus software will catch this before it harms your Mac. In addition, it can also block ransomware from entering your system and shield your securities vulnerabilities. It also helps prevent your Mac from carrying malware and spreading it to your other connected devices. If you’re on the lookout for great anti-virus software for your Mac, here are some of the best ones.

Sophos Home Premium for Mac

For the best overall anti-virus software for your Mac, Sophos Home Premium is a top choice. It consists of the most extensive features to fight several kinds of malware that may attack your Mac. Its approach is also up-to-date so it can detect even new types of viruses. In fact, it can even protect you against apps that may potentially harm your Mac.

Not only is it effective in fighting against malware, but it can also efficiently monitor ransomware. Another great thing about this software is it includes some features that other software products would ask more money for. It offers cloud-based configuration as well as licensing for up to 10 laptops. This way, you can also share this protection with your family and friends so all of you are protected against threats.

AVG AntiVirus for Mac

Don’t have the budget for anti-virus software? If you’re on a tough spot financially and you can’t afford to pay for great anti-virus software, your next best bet is AVG Antivirus for Mac. While it might not be able to offer additional features that other anti-virus software can, it’s still a good option to keep your Mac protected from viruses and web threats. It’s like an easy-peasy option that doesn’t require money.

Once you finally get a budget for it, you can actually just upgrade from this version to their premium version. The latter offers additional ransomware as well as phishing protection. It even features a Wi-Fi inspector that monitors the devices connected to your home network. Still, for the most basic part, this free version is a fine choice.

Avast

On the other hand, if you have some money to spare, a better alternative is Avast Premium Security. Major independent testing labs have checked this software’s capabilities in protecting against malware and other viruses and the result was impressive. In addition, it also features a Ransomware Shield, which acts as an extra layer of protection against this specific strain of malware. It might even be able to protect your Mac against the latest undiscovered viruses just yet.

Plus, this software can also effectively protect your Mac against web threats by steering users away from phishing sites. It also has a Wi-Fi monitor that checks your home network and alerts users when they’ve been compromised. Avast Premium Security is a great all-around anti-virus software worth checking out.

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Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

Another excellent contender on this list is Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. It’s among the best options for protecting Apple devices in the market today. This software features an outstanding anti-virus engine that can quickly but efficiently scan your Mac for any harmful viruses lurking around. Additionally, it has also been tested and top-rated by independent testing labs.

Apart from this, it also offers an array of features that adds an extra layer of protection for your Mac. This includes ransomware and web browser protection. Plus, it can effectively steer users away from phishing sites that may compromise your valuable data. Also, it monitors adware and prevents your Mac from being a carrier of malware.

Norton 360 Deluxe

If you need to protect several devices at once, a great option would be Norton 360 Deluxe. Norton is one of the leading brands in the anti-virus industry so you know that their products are guaranteed to be amazing. You can use this software for up to five devices, whether that’s a Mac, a Windows PC, or even a mobile device. So if you own different kinds of devices and want to protect them all, Norton 360 Deluxe is an excellent choice.

Some of its features include anti-virus and ransomware protection. Moreover, it also provides a strong firewall and features parental controls in case you want to add your children’s devices under this software umbrella. Additional features include cloud backup functionality as well as a password manager.


Kokou Adzo

Kokou Adzo is a stalwart in the tech journalism community, has been chronicling the ever-evolving world of Apple products and innovations for over a decade. As a Senior Author at Apple Gazette, Kokou combines a deep passion for technology with an innate ability to translate complex tech jargon into relatable insights for everyday users.

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  1. You don’t need AV software for macOS. It’s snake oil. Instead you need intelligent users who don’t install without thinking. You need to keep macOS’ own XProtect & MRT updated via System Preferences, and you should install the freeware tools by Objective-See and security helper apps like Apparency, plus an application firewall like Little Snitch or the freeware LuLu. Then, if you’re still crazy about antivirus solutions, get ClamXAV and thereby support a decent non-corporate developer, or wait for F-Secure’s upcoming fs protection for Mac, which has some nice additional features like command-line support (which ClamXAV also has) and the amazing DeepGuard (formerly XFENCE formerly Little Flocker). And if you don’t want to pay any money, better use Malwarebytes instead of AVG, which (like Avast by the way) has way too many false positives on the PUP/PUA side of things.