Free Protection
Given the long-time perception that Macs don't need antivirus protection, you may not have budgeted for such a purchase. Don't worry! Fully half of those we've rounded up here are free.
Norton's iAntivirus (Free) is a lightweight model that specifically performs on-demand virus scanning, without on-access or scheduled scanning. On the plus side, it can detect and remove Windows malware as well as Mac-specific threats, so your Mac doesn't serve as a carrier. Kaspersky Virus Scanner (for Mac) ($9.99 direct) isn't quite free, but the price is low. It, too, detects both Mac and Windows threats and scans only on demand. Avira Free Mac Security (Free) detects both Mac and Windows malware, and does offer on-access and scheduled scanning.
Comodo Antivirus for Mac (Free) and Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition version 8 (Free) are straightforward solutions that scan on demand, on access, and on schedule. avast! Free Antivirus for Mac (Free) omits scheduled scanning, but does scan for threats in email.
ClamXav (Free) is a bit different from the rest. It relies on the open source ClamAV engine and aims to please the more technically inclined user. It does scan email, but in place of full on-access scanning it just scans each new file that appears.
Social Engineering Protection
Social engineering threats like phishing work by fooling the user, independent of the computer platform or operating system. Straight antivirus protection can't do anything to block such an attack. However, quite a few Mac antivirus solutions include some type of Web reputation reporting, to steer users away from dangerous or fraudulent sites.
Website rating is a strong component in Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac ($49.95 direct) and Intego's VirusBarrier x6 ($49.95/year direct). Trend Micro checks over 50 million IP addresses daily and offers three levels of protection. Intego blocks fraudulent and malicious sites and also protects against Web-based attacks such as cross-site scripting and malicious JavaScript.
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac ($39.95 direct) focuses specifically on blocking access to fraudulent sites. The similar feature in avast! relies on user ratings to determine a site's reputation. You can see at a glance whether the site is safe or dangerous, with an indication of how many votes support the rating. Users can also tag a site with specific safe or dangerous attributes.
Unusual Features
While quite a few of the Mac antivirus products stick to malware protection, others offer a range of additional security features. For example, Panda Antivirus for Mac ($49.99 direct) can scan any iOS device that's attached to your Mac.
VirusBarrier and F-Secure Anti-Virus for Mac ($39.99 direct) both offer firewall protection along with antivirus. VirusBarrier also offers a private data protection feature, to help avoid inadvertent transmission of user-specified personal information. Trend Micro's antivirus includes optional parental control features.
The field of Mac antivirus solutions spans a wide range of prices and of features. Choose the product that suits you best, but don't take too long deciding. The next Mac-specific threat is just around the corner. Note that we haven't tested these products, yet, but are currently examining the possibility of adding Mac antivirus testing to our Windows and Android security testing.
FEATURED IN THIS ROUNDUP:
avast! Free Antivirus for Mac
Free
After the recent Flashback outbreak, more and more Mac users are waking up to their need for antivirus protection. The latest avast! Free Antivirus for Mac (free) boasts a new GUI and automatic updates. It scans for malware on demand and in real time, and offers the bonus of Web reputation reporting.
Read our preview for more details ››
Free
After the recent Flashback outbreak, more and more Mac users are waking up to their need for antivirus protection. The latest avast! Free Antivirus for Mac (free) boasts a new GUI and automatic updates. It scans for malware on demand and in real time, and offers the bonus of Web reputation reporting.
Read our preview for more details ››
Avira Free Mac Security
Free
German security firm Avira, maker of the popular Avira Free Antivirus 2012 (free, 4 stars), has released a new free product for Mac users. Avira Free Antivirus for Mac isn't limited to non-commercial users. Avira has made it "truly free for everyone—private consumers, professionals and even businesses—without exception and without any advertising or marketing pop-ups."
Read our preview for more details ››
Free
German security firm Avira, maker of the popular Avira Free Antivirus 2012 (free, 4 stars), has released a new free product for Mac users. Avira Free Antivirus for Mac isn't limited to non-commercial users. Avira has made it "truly free for everyone—private consumers, professionals and even businesses—without exception and without any advertising or marketing pop-ups."
Read our preview for more details ››
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
$39.95
With the rise in malware that targets the Mac platform, more and more Mac users are seeking antivirus protection. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac ($39.95, direct) scans for threats on demand, on access, and on schedule, and also steers users away from phishing sites. It promises protection against all forms of Mac malware, including viruses, spyware, Trojans, keyloggers, worms, and adware. In addition, it will eliminate any Windows malware it finds, to ensure you don't accidentally transfer those files to a PC.
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ClamXav
Free
Fans of Open Source software will be happy to learn that the free ClamXav antivirus for Mac is powered by ClamAV, an Open Source project. Those not familiar with the Open Source concept may find using this tool takes a bit more hands-on effort than they're accustomed to.
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Free
Fans of Open Source software will be happy to learn that the free ClamXav antivirus for Mac is powered by ClamAV, an Open Source project. Those not familiar with the Open Source concept may find using this tool takes a bit more hands-on effort than they're accustomed to.
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Comodo Antivirus for Mac
Free
Philosopher Blaise Pascal famously concluded that while we can't prove the existence of God, believing is a much better wager. If believe and you're wrong, you lose nothing; if you disbelieve and you're wrong, you lose eternal salvation. Diehard adherents to the "Macs don't get viruses" religion should consider Pascal's wager. If you install a free, lightweight antivirus like Comodo Antivirus for Mac and malware never shows up, you've lost nothing. But if you reject protection and do get attacked, you could lose a lot.
Read our preview for more details ››
Free
Philosopher Blaise Pascal famously concluded that while we can't prove the existence of God, believing is a much better wager. If believe and you're wrong, you lose nothing; if you disbelieve and you're wrong, you lose eternal salvation. Diehard adherents to the "Macs don't get viruses" religion should consider Pascal's wager. If you install a free, lightweight antivirus like Comodo Antivirus for Mac and malware never shows up, you've lost nothing. But if you reject protection and do get attacked, you could lose a lot.
Read our preview for more details ››
F-Secure Anti-Virus for Mac
$39.99
You may find that looking at F-Secure Anti-Virus for Mac ($39.99 direct) gives you a sense of déjà vu. That's because its layout is exactly the same as that of F-Secure Anti-Virus 2012 ($39.99 direct for three licenses, 3 stars), the company's Windows-based antivirus. In both products, the main window dedicates three big panels to status, tasks, and statistics.
Read our preview for more details ››
$39.99
You may find that looking at F-Secure Anti-Virus for Mac ($39.99 direct) gives you a sense of déjà vu. That's because its layout is exactly the same as that of F-Secure Anti-Virus 2012 ($39.99 direct for three licenses, 3 stars), the company's Windows-based antivirus. In both products, the main window dedicates three big panels to status, tasks, and statistics.
Read our preview for more details ››
iAntivirus
Free
Several years ago PC Tools launched an antivirus tool for MacOS called iAntivirus. Around the same time, Symantec acquired PC Tools. The original PC Tools iAntivirus never really took off. The new Norton-branded iAntivirus (free) doesn't have all the features of the original, but it handles the essentials and focuses on protecting "your iPhoto, iTunes and all the other stuff on your Mac you can't live without."
Read our preview for more details ››
Free
Several years ago PC Tools launched an antivirus tool for MacOS called iAntivirus. Around the same time, Symantec acquired PC Tools. The original PC Tools iAntivirus never really took off. The new Norton-branded iAntivirus (free) doesn't have all the features of the original, but it handles the essentials and focuses on protecting "your iPhoto, iTunes and all the other stuff on your Mac you can't live without."
Read our preview for more details ››
Kaspersky Virus Scanner (for Mac)
$9.99
Security anxiety is growing for Mac users. Yes, the current Mac OS includes XProtect, a simple antivirus tool, but malware has been known to disable XProtect updates, rendering it useless. Mac users looking for a bit more protection can now obtain Kaspersky Virus Scanner ($9.99, list) from the Mac App Store. That's a lifetime license, with no annual renewal required. This tool doesn't have the full malware-fighting power of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac 2011, but it offers useful added protection.
Read our preview for more details ››
$9.99
Security anxiety is growing for Mac users. Yes, the current Mac OS includes XProtect, a simple antivirus tool, but malware has been known to disable XProtect updates, rendering it useless. Mac users looking for a bit more protection can now obtain Kaspersky Virus Scanner ($9.99, list) from the Mac App Store. That's a lifetime license, with no annual renewal required. This tool doesn't have the full malware-fighting power of Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac 2011, but it offers useful added protection.
Read our preview for more details ››
Panda Antivirus for Mac
$49.99
One thing's certain – you won't confuse Panda Antivirus for Mac ($49.99, direct) with any other Mac antivirus. With its round, frisbee-like main window it's one of a kind. This utility seeks and destroys Mac viruses, Trojans, worms, adware, scareware, dialers, and more. It also detects and removes viruses that target Windows and Unix, so your Mac doesn't become a carrier. And it checks for new malware signatures every day, in order to protect against new attacks.
Read our preview for more details ››
$49.99
One thing's certain – you won't confuse Panda Antivirus for Mac ($49.99, direct) with any other Mac antivirus. With its round, frisbee-like main window it's one of a kind. This utility seeks and destroys Mac viruses, Trojans, worms, adware, scareware, dialers, and more. It also detects and removes viruses that target Windows and Unix, so your Mac doesn't become a carrier. And it checks for new malware signatures every day, in order to protect against new attacks.
Read our preview for more details ››
Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition version 8
Free
With Mac malware attacks more and more common, antivirus protection is a must. The ten most dangerous Mac viruses aren't the only threats, and Sophos's Graham Cluley has traced the history of Mac malware all the way back to 1982. In light of the growing problem, Sophos has released an updated Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition version 8 (Free).
Read our preview for more details ››
Free
With Mac malware attacks more and more common, antivirus protection is a must. The ten most dangerous Mac viruses aren't the only threats, and Sophos's Graham Cluley has traced the history of Mac malware all the way back to 1982. In light of the growing problem, Sophos has released an updated Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition version 8 (Free).
Read our preview for more details ››
Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac
$49.95
Newly nervous Mac owners looking for antivirus protection have quite a few choices. Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac ($49.95 direct) offers full-scale protection against viruses, Trojans, spyware, and other types of malware. It can steer users away from dangerous or fraudulent websites, and it even includes a simple parental control system.
Read our preview for more details ››
$49.95
Newly nervous Mac owners looking for antivirus protection have quite a few choices. Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac ($49.95 direct) offers full-scale protection against viruses, Trojans, spyware, and other types of malware. It can steer users away from dangerous or fraudulent websites, and it even includes a simple parental control system.
Read our preview for more details ››
VirusBarrier x6
$49.95
Offering antivirus protection since 1997, Intego is the only major security vendor focusing solely on Macs and Apple products. VirusBarrier x6 ($49.95, direct) protects Macs against viruses, spyware, Trojans and all kinds of malware. It also includes phishing protection, a two-way firewall, and "antivandal" protection against hack attacks.
Read our preview for more details ››
$49.95
Offering antivirus protection since 1997, Intego is the only major security vendor focusing solely on Macs and Apple products. VirusBarrier x6 ($49.95, direct) protects Macs against viruses, spyware, Trojans and all kinds of malware. It also includes phishing protection, a two-way firewall, and "antivandal" protection against hack attacks.
Read our preview for more details ››
Source: PCMAG
