While Windows PCs are frequently in 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 tested and reviewed the most effective antivirus protection for mac available to keep your Apple computer secure.
Our picks offer near-flawless malware detection rates, packed with essential security features like ransomware protection, phishing defenses and microphone and camera guards. They are also light on system resources and provide excellent performance. Some, such as McAfee or Trend Micro, were rated top of the line in independent lab tests.
Apple’s own security tool, Gatekeeper, is pretty efficient in securing against malware, but it could be fooled by shrewd attacks that aim 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 antivirus scanners come in.
Comodo offers a free anti-virus program that has an easy-to-use interface. It can scan any file that your system has accessed. Quick scans can be completed in a matter of minutes, whereas running a complete scan of the system could take up to two hours. You can program these scans and select the time when you want them to be running, so that your Mac will not be slowed down at inconvenient times.
Malwarebytes has been eliminating all Windows threats since 2006, so it’s not a surprise that its Mac version is effective against them too. Its installation is the size of three music files in digital format It’s a simple software to add to your system. It doesn’t provide real-time protection, so it can’t stop an attack when it occurs. However, a full examination of your system takes a couple of hours, and the minimalist design guarantees that it won’t interfere with other software.