While Windows PCs often make the news for being the target of the most vile malware, Mac computers aren’t immune to the wrath of cyberspace. This is why we’ve reviewed and tested the best antivirus protection for mac available to keep your Apple computer secure.
Our top picks offer near-perfect malware detection rates and are packed with essential security features such as ransomware protection, phishing defenses, and camera plus microphone guards. They also use less system resources and provide top performance. Some, such as McAfee and Trend Micro have been rated as top in independent lab tests.
Apple’s security software, Gatekeeper, is pretty efficient in securing against malware, but it could be fooled by clever hacks designed to exploit flaws that are not present in the Mac OS itself but in third-party software that runs on top of it. This is where standalone virus scanners come in.
Comodo is an antivirus program that is free and has an easy interface. It can scan any file that your system has access to. Quick scans can be completed in a matter of minutes, whereas a full scan of the system could take up to two hours. You can schedule these scans and pick when you want them to be run, so that your Mac won’t be overwhelmed at inconvenient times.
Since 2006, Malwarebytes has eliminated all Windows threats. It’s no wonder that the Mac version is equally effective. The program’s installation is about the size of three music files in digital format and is a light addition to your system. It doesn’t have real-time protection, so it doesn’t stop attacks in the event of them however a complete system scan only takes about an hour and its minimalist design means it will not interfere with other programs.