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Mac Anti-virus software
Do you still need virus protection if you are using a Mac? We say yes. You may be safer than a Windows PC owner but your Mac is not immune to a cyber-attack installing good quality anti-virus software is a basic step to protecting your computer and your data online.
Mac Anti-virus software comparison chart for 2023
Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |||||||||||||
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac |
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 |
ESET Cybersecurity for Mac |
Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac |
G Data Antivirus for Mac |
McAfee Internet Security for Mac |
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac |
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Ratings | ||||||||||||||||||||
Protection
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Effectiveness
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Features
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Ease of use
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Help & support
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Detection | ||||||||||||||||||||
Viruses
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Worms
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Trojan Horses
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Malware
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Spyware
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Rootkits
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Protection | ||||||||||||||||||||
Email
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Detect Windows Viruses
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Web Antivirus
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Network Monitoring
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Antiphishing
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Identity Theft Protection
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Antispam
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Technology | ||||||||||||||||||||
Real-time Background Scanning
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Virus Signatures
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Quarantine
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Heuristics
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Firewall
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Scanning | ||||||||||||||||||||
Quick Scan
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Scan Individual Files
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Scan USB and External Media
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Custom Scan
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Scan Archives
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Full Scan
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Optimized Scanning
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Pause/Resume Scan
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Set Exclusions
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Features | ||||||||||||||||||||
Alerts / Notifications
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Scheduler
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Adjustable Security Levels
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Auto Scan USB
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Password Protected
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Updates | ||||||||||||||||||||
Automatic Updates
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Manual Updates
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Rollback Update
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Help & Support | ||||||||||||||||||||
Phone
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Email
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Live Chat
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Knowledgebase / FAQs
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Forum
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Operating systems | ||||||||||||||||||||
macOS Sierra(10.12)
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Mac OS X El Capitan (10.11)
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Mac OS X Yosemite (10.10)
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Mac OS X Mavericks (10.9)
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Mac OS X Lion (10.7)
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Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6)
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Mac Anti-virus software explained
When you're going for status or focusing on your personal preference, you probably choose Mac over PC. But when you're also going for safety, is the Mac still a better option? In the past people generally assumed Macs were safe from viruses. Macs have inbuilt security mechanisms that Windows PCs don’t, and they deal with fewer security threats than Windows because of their smaller market share. But today, if there was a tagline for Mac anti-virus protection it would be – "because Macs get viruses too".
Macs may be less likely to fall victim to an attack but they are not immune. Mac anti-virus makers would even have you believe that Macs are just as susceptible to online risks as PCs. The truth is, every computer is vulnerable to attack. All you need is one successful virus to completely mess up your Mac. In 2012 over half a million Macs were victim of the Flashback attack. Apple has cleaned up that problem and continues to put extra security features in place but at times it will be no match for a skillful virus. So now, Apple subtly recommends using anti-virus software.
The popularity of Mac anti-virus products has grown exponentially since Macs have become more popular and malware more prevalent. Mac anti-virus products provide layers of protection that help guard against a wide variety of different threats. While anti-malware capability is the main reason for choosing Mac anti-virus software, you also benefit from browser security. While malware may not be as big a problem for Macs as PCs, phishing attempts don’t discriminate and it helps to be altered to the fake website that is looking to steal your personal details. Parental controls and firewalls round out a solid core of protection. And while you may have a lower chance of being infected by a virus on a Mac, the best software protects against Windows viruses too, so you don’t pass on something downstream to your Windows-using friends and colleagues.