Due to the increase in Mac viruses and malware, having a decent antivirus software package installed is a must.
While it’s true that viruses on Macs are not as prolific as on Windows, they are certainly not immune. The goal of viruses is to infect as many systems as possible, and since Windows is the most used operating system, it makes sense that cybercriminals will target PCs. Being a Unix-based operating system, macOS is generally more secure than Windows because it is sandboxed, which provides an extra layer of security, preventing malicious software from spreading. But as Apple’s share of the desktop OS market increases, so does the threat of viruses and malware. According to a report from Malwarebytes last year, Mac threats increased by 400% from 2018 to 2019 – so a solid antivirus program is a must-have. Here are our top picks.
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
With super-fast scan times, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is one of the best Mac antivirus suites out there. As well as the standard antivirus defences, Bitdefender also offers multi-layer ransomware protection, an anti-tracker browser extension, and solid anti-phishing protection. Additionally, Bitdefender also raises the alarm if it detects Windows malware, ensuring you won’t spread anything to family or friends using a Windows OS. There is also an extra layer of security for Time Machine backups, so in the event of a ransomware attack, your backed-up data will be safe. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is available for £39.99 for a one-year license, and can be installed on up to three devices.
Avast Free Mac Security
If you’re looking for free Mac antivirus software, Avast Free Mac Security is a great one to opt for. It runs barely noticeable in the background, quickly performing malware scans. Unusually for Mac antivirus software, Avast also scans email threads and attachments, and has the ability to scan external drives as well. While the interface is easy to navigate, expect to be bombarded with adverts for extra features that come with the premium version of this Mac antivirus software, such as ransomware rollbacks and the system optimiser. As a free option though, Avast Free Mac Security is a great choice.
Norton 360
This Mac antivirus software comes with a vast array of features, even with the Standard version. Norton 360 offers both an unlimited VPN service and password manager, two features which are often limited. Norton has a minimal impact on system performance, alongside flawless malware detection. However, one major downside of the Mac version of Norton 360 is that it lacks the cloud backup feature. Obviously, all of this comes at a price. There are three versions of Norton 360: Standard, Deluxe and Premium. Norton 360 Standard is currently £24.99 for the first year and then £59.99 per year, and can be installed on one device, either a Mac, PC, smartphone or tablet. Norton 360 Deluxe is currently £29.00 for the first year and then £79.99 per year, and can be installed on up to five devices. Finally, Norton 360 Premium is currently £39.99 for the first year and then £89.99 per year, and can be installed on up to ten devices.