1. Best Rated Antivirus For Mac 2018
2. Best Apple Antivirus Software
3. Best 2018 Antivirus For Mac
4. Best Antivirus For Imac
5. Best Free Antivirus For Mac 2018

Having a reliable and robust antivirus for your Mac system is more essential now than it ever has been before. The threat of cyber-security has grown exponentially with the development of both technology and the internet. You use your computer to do so many things and need all the information the Mac stores kept safe and secure. Hackers can not only attack your system and make it redundant but can also get hold of your details and leak or sell these on, not only putting possibly your finances at risk but also you and your family if information such as your address is leaked. Today we’re going to look at some of the best options you have when it comes to picking the best antivirus system for your Mac, looking at the features and the price of each of these options to try to give you as much information as possible before making a decision.

Top 10 Best Free Mac Antivirus Software 2018 Compare the world’s leading virus protection for Mac Macs need antivirus protection just like windows computers. The best free antivirus platforms for Mac in 2018 These are the 5 best free antivirus apps to protect your MacBook By Jon Martindale @jonwhoopty — Posted on November 13, 2018 - 2:02PM 11.13.18. Some might consider identifying the best Mac antivirus software in 2018 a redundant task, given that Macs 'don't get viruses.' But although its true that Apple machines are targeted less than.

One is Safari on the Mac, protected by the Mac antivirus that's under test. The other three use the protection built into Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. Intego's Mac Internet Security X9 is our pick of the bunch, making it the best antivirus for Mac 2018. Avast Security for Mac, AVG AntiVirus for Mac and Trend Micro all do an excellent job of detecting both Mac and Windows malware on Mac computers. After protection, the biggest differences among Mac antivirus solutions are security features.

Bitdefender is a comprehensive antivirus solution that supports many platforms such as PC, Mac, Android and also iOS. The smart learning embedded in Bitdefender means that it can learn as it goes along and can advise you on security actions that will benefit your system relative to the needs and the usage patterns that you have.

When you install BitDefender for Mac, you will see a simple interface that is very easy to use. Scanning the whole Mac is done fast in a discreet manner that has little effect on other uses of the Mac. The system’s performance and speed are not affected. As for the functioning, this will protect every bit of your Mac from all sorts of malware.

Time Machine Protection: this is a facility within your Mac OS system that you can use to back up your files. This means if the unfortunate eventuality does occur and your system does get attacked you have all of your data backed up ready to restore once the threat has been removed. Once such dangerous type of attack can be that of Ransomware of which its sole purpose is to encrypt all of your private files such as photos and videos. The hackers who have infected you might demand ransom to return your pictures to you, so this gives you extra protection.

Safe Files Improved: This feature of Bitdefender will prevent any authorised changes including the deletion of your most important files. The role Bitdefender plays in this feature is to act as a guard and protect these files against ransomware attacks and other forms of malware. It only allows official applications that you trust access to your files.

Blocking and removal of adware: Adware is basically the annoying unsolicited adverts that you’ll find popping up in your browser becoming a distraction. Bitdefender removes adware as well as other malicious programs based in your browser leaving you to get on with your day.

Best external drive for mac 2018. Price: Basic $34.99, with Installation and Setup $60.99, with Premium VPN also $100.98

Malwarebytes is an anti-virus program specifically designed for Mac systems designed to comprehensively give you protection against any cyber threats, especially malware. It has advanced anti-malware technology that allows it to detect and remove malware threats in real time. It also has the added benefit of being able to detect and remove any annoying adware so that you can browse the internet peacefully.

Due to it being designed specifically for Macs means that it can scan your whole OS in under 15 seconds; this scan can also be run in the background leaving you to get on with your work. It is also light only taking up the same amount of memory as three music files. You also have the option of being able to test how effective the solution is by taking up a 14-day trial.

Price: Basic/Free, 1 year/$39.99, 2 years $79.98.

Norton is by far one of the most recognisable brands when you think of anti-virus protection. To help protect your files and your Mac system they have an anti-virus solution that has been specifically designed for Mac OS referred to as Norton Security Deluxe. It gives you round the clock protection against all different types of viruses, ransomware, spyware, malware and also adware.

If you sign up to Norton Security Deluxe, you have an expert on hand to help you stay protected, or if they can’t, you are entitled to a refund. Due to their global presence, Norton has amassed one of the most significant intelligence networks allowing them to pre-emptively pick up on cyber threats and remove these threats. Updates are also automatic meaning you will never be a step behind and always a step in front when it comes to being protected from any threats.

With the higher packages, Deluxe and Premium, you get convenient security like securing many devices with one subscription, automatic backups, secure cloud storage and an easy to use the online portal from where the security of the devices can be monitored.

Price: $59.99/year

For those looking for the best free antivirus for Mac, this is the best option. The free version offers antivirus protection, scheduled scans, home network scan and protection of web, mail and files. As for the paid version (49.99 per year), it has a Wi-Fi inspector and ransomware shield together with the features the free Avast version has.

This antivirus program from Avast gives you protection on multiple fronts against many different types of viruses such as malware, ransomware, spyware, adware and, DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks. It has many impressive features on the core free version including real-time and comprehensive protection against malware variants such as viruses, spyware and, trojans. It will also scan any removable devices such as CD or DVD to scan for any threats contained on these. Scans can either be performed there on the spot, or they can be scheduled for when your system is sleeping or when you’re away from your Mac so that it doesn’t cause any inconvenience.

Price: Basic/Free, Premium/$63.77

This antivirus solution from Eset comes with award-winning technology that provides fast, powerful and comprehensive anti-malware protection for your Mac OS system. The anti-virus and anti-spyware facilities are also built on the record-breaking ESET NOD32 along with anti-phishing capabilities meaning that no hackers will be stealing your username or bank details. The streamlined interface is also extremely user-friendly meaning you can tailor the settings of the system to exactly how you want or you can stick with the default if you’d rather.

Some advanced features that are present in the basic package of this antivirus are anti-phishing, removable media control, cloud-powered scanning, automatic updates and free support. This will cost you $29.99. For a little more you can get features like anti-theft, parental control and personal firewall. If unsure, try the free version available for 30 days and you will be convinced why this is the best.

Price: ESET Cyber Security £29.99/year, Cyber Security Pro £39.99/year or ESET Multi-Device Security Pack £44.99/year.

This is an antivirus that looks great and will do the job perfectly. The newest version has some cool looks but is also as effective as all its predecessors if not better. We have ascertained this through hands-on and laboratory tests.

On download and installation, you will see two main panes. The first is the free mac antivirus that ensures that you get the basic protection you need. In the basic protection pane there are two icons; computer protection and web and email protection. Both are enabled by default. In the second pane are more advanced options that you have to enable by purchasing the AVG security suite. These protect private data, protect against hacks and protect you during online transactions.

With the free AVG antivirus for mac you can do a full scan of the computer or scan a particular file. You can also customize the scanning as you wish. An advanced option that you have is to scan for programs that you may have downloaded unintentionally.

Other than the scanning that you set up, AVG gives your mac real-time protection by detecting and eliminating new threats as they arise. This way after the initial full scan your computer will remain protected without the need to repeat the scan.

The Sophos Home “Scan Now” button is placed at the top of the software’s main window making it easily accessible. This however is not the only reason why we will feature this as among the best free antivirus for mac. Just above the button are the system status and the protection status at the bottom. You get the information on whether you are protected or not at a glance. At the top of the page is a link to the Sophos home dashboard website. This is where the software can be controlled from.

Up to 10 macs can be managed using one account. However, you can only use the web interface to control these. Another downside is that the antivirus for MacOS Sierra does not offer protection against browser extensions and does not offer email attachment protection. The background scan it performs however does scan every file when it is open and prevents browsers from navigating websites that have malicious content.

Sophos Home scans the computer and its connections every now and then when you request so and in the background as the computer is in use. It also comes with parental controls. All these can be easily carried out thanks to the easy to use interface and remote accessibility. Full system scans take as long as several hours but this software has the least impact on the system’s operation.

A while back Avira was the best antivirus for mac. Recently however, it has been failing to detect some malware and as such some users find it non-satisfying. This does not mean that it is not a viable contender. After all, it is here among the best antivirus for macOS Sierra.

The main window has a “New Scan” button that when pressed begins a scan. This can either be a quick scan or full computer scan depending on what you choose in the start button drop-down menu that follows.

Avira is updated frequently and benefits from information from 100 million users all over the world. Detected malware is quarantined to prevent it from spreading. Like most other antiviruses you can set Avira to carry out scheduled scans as you wish to be it daily or weekly. There is also real-time protection that is offered by Avira which quarantines threats as they are detected.

This antivirus from German company Gdata is designed to keep your Mac OS system protected for all manner of threats protecting both the integrity of your system and your private files ensuring that you suffer no loss in performance for your Mac. It will also scan links to assess whether they’re malicious so that you know not to click it and if you do by accident Gdata will block you from accessing the website in question. Like many of the other solutions here it also has the facility to scan any external devices you may have such as a USB stick for threats such as malware, spyware and adware.

Price: 1 year for one device/$39.95

This is an anti-virus program developed by London based firm BullGuard. It provides you with next generation protection when it comes to anti-malware protection picking up a host of top rating when it came to industry tests by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives. It has daily updates meaning it can proactively look for any threats on your system and remove them if necessary. Another innovative feature which is parental control which can block access to malicious or inappropriate websites by putting filters in place to keep them protected round the clock from any inappropriate material and preventing them from clicking a malicious link containing malware or spyware.

Price: 1 year, three devices/£24.97

As you can see there are many different options at your disposal should you be looking for the best antivirus for your Mac in 2019. Each of these solutions provides comprehensive protection; however, you’ll also want to look at the added extras that are included such as a firewall and how many devices you can use the antivirus on. There is also the value for money element however in this case you can’t put a price on keeping your system, your personal and private files and financial information safe from any hackers who will want to steal these details for their own financial gain. Whichever you choose to purchase, just ensure that you know that it’s going to be protecting you and your files round the clock from any manner of threat.

If you're looking to keep your Mac safe from Trojans, ransomware and malicious websites, you'll want the best Mac antivirus software available.

Norton Security Standard is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, so it’s ideal if you have computers running different operating systems that need virus protection.
In partnership with Norton

After all our testing and research, we feel Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is the best antivirus protection for Mac users. It does a good job detecting and protecting against threats, including Windows malware.

Best Rated Antivirus For Mac 2018

It has extra security tools like a VPN, and it doesn’t cause your computer to slow down. For Windows computers, we found Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2019 to be the best antivirus security software.

Why trust us on Mac Antivirus software?

We spend most of the year testing internet security programs, including antivirus software for Mac. We devote hundreds of hours to downloading, using and testing the most popular security programs on multiple devices running different operating systems, including Mac OS, Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7. We test programs that are compatible with mobile operating systems as well. All this helps us understand just how each program works and if any slowdowns, quirks or tools affect performance on each device.

As part of our testing methodology, we research the standards of the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO) and follow several of these suggestions. The most important standard is to maintain unbiased. This means we don’t talk with program developers, representatives or vendors during testing, and we either purchase each program or download the free trials from the program’s website to make sure the software we are testing is the same version users get rather than one that may have been tampered with to create a more favorable outcome.

We have developed relationships with several experts in the internet security industry, including security analysts, IT technicians and cybersecurity managers. We also follow security blogs and news outlets, receive monthly newsletters from manufacturers, attend trade shows and do all we can to stay on top of new developments and security breaches within the industry. Devoting this much time over the last 15 years has helped us become a leading expert in antivirus and internet security practices. This is why you can trust us when it comes to the best antivirus Mac software.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is our top pick because it effectively protects against Mac malware and automatically removes most threats.

AVG AntiVirus for Mac

AVG AntiVirus for Mac offers free virus protection against malware, even ransomware. It scans any portable drive or device that is connected for threats, including mobile devices.

Norton Security Standard

Norton Security Standard is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, so it’s ideal if you have computers running different operating systems that need virus protection.

1. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac: best overall

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

Blocked 99 percent of the live threats we used and scrubbed most of them from our system automatically

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

Fast powerful usb hub for mac 2018. When we tested Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, it blocked 99 percent of the live threats we used and scrubbed most of them from our system automatically. It also did a decent job recognizing Windows threats so they wouldn’t be accidently sent to a PC user.

The vulnerability scanner looks for outdated software then gives you a trusted link where you can download the latest patch or version. This helps cover any weak spots where hackers and ransomware could infiltrate your computer. Bitdefender warns of malicious websites with its safe browsing feature, and it scans USB drives to stop any threats from infecting your computer at that point. It is also one of the only programs that includes a VPN that hides you while online so adware and other trackers can’t see your search history or which sites you visit. The biggest drawback is Bitdefender isn’t the easiest program to set up or use. There are some tools and features that can only be accessed through the online portal while others are only found on the dashboard.

• Read the review:Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac

2. AVG AntiVirus for Mac: best free Mac AntiVirus

AVG AntiVirus for Mac

AVG AntiVirus for Mac is an extremely budget-friendly Mac antivirus solution

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

This simple program offers great virus protection, doesn’t slow down your computer and includes a few additional internet security features. It is also free for home use.

This software scans incoming email and anything connected to the USB port, including mobile devices, and removes any threats it finds so your computer isn’t infected. It also scans for outdated software since this is one of the biggest ports of for ransomware and hackers. AVG has phishing blockers and spam filters that keep threats in emails from downloading to your computer or directing you to dangerous sites designed to gather personal information. It is one of the easiest programs to use, with large icons for each tool. Because it is a free program, AVG does have in-program ads that can be distracting. It also requires the vulnerability scanner to be installed separately from the antivirus program, though once it’s installed you can access it from the program dashboard.

• Read the review: AVG Antivirous for Mac

3. Norton Security Standard: best for multiple devices

Norton Security Standard

Norton Security is the best antivirus software if you have computers that run different operating systems

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

It offers the same level of protection to both Mac and Windows machines, easily detects threats on both, and even detects and removes some Windows malware hidden on Mac machines.

Norton Security Standard scans email and USB shared files to make sure they don’t have hidden threats that may infect your Mac. It also looks for out-of-date software that may create a weak spot that hackers and ransomware can use to infect your computer. The antivirus program for Mac includes a password manager and banking tools to shield your important information from identity thieves, keyloggers and other internet tracking programs. The biggest drawback is Norton costs significantly more than other programs and charges a fee for each device you want to protect.

• Read the review:Norton Security Standard

4. Intego Mac Internet Security

Intego Mac Internet Security

It’s designed to look, feel and work similarly to other Mac system programs like Finder or Safari

Intego Mac Internet Security does an excellent job detecting and protecting against Mac threats including viruses, Trojans and ransomware. It’s designed to look, feel and work similarly to other Mac system programs like Finder or Safari, so it isn’t too difficult to figure out. Along with ContentBarrier, the program that protects against malware, Intego Mac Internet Security also comes with NetBarrier, a personal firewall that secures your computer against anyone trying to steal your internet which slows down your speeds. Any cellphones, tablets or other mobile devices attached to your computer through its USB ports are scanned by Intego to make sure there aren’t any threats that can infect your computer as you transfer files. Because it isn’t a premium security program, Intego Mac Internet Security doesn’t come with parental controls or a system vulnerability scanner, but you can purchase these separately.

• Read the review:Intego Mac Internet Security

5. Sophos Home

Sophos Home

During our tests Sophos wasn’t very effective at protecting against Mac malware

We know many Mac users look at Sophos Home as a cost-effective solution since its basic program is free. However, during our tests Sophos wasn’t very effective at protecting against Mac malware, and it is very difficult to figure out how to use. It only detected 78 percent of the threats we unleashed during testing, and a few threats we had to manually remove after following the online instructions from Sophos. But these instructions included disabling the automatic virus protection, which triggered Sophos to reboot. Once we reopened Sophos, the virus protection was on again and we couldn’t continue through all the steps of removing the threats. Ultimately, we gave up, uninstalled Sophos and installed another program to find and scrub our Mac clean of threats. Sophos did a good job of identifying and blocking Windows malware on our Mac machines.

• Read the review:Sophos Home

Do I need antivirus software for my Mac?

The short answer is, yes, you do need antivirus software for your Mac. While Macs are less susceptible to viruses thank Windows computers, Macs are still at risk.

We conduct our own in-house tests using 165 of the nastiest Mac malware to find the antivirus programs that protect Macs best. These threats were tucked inside a zipped file that, when opened, downloaded the files and let them loose. We looked at which point each virus scanner picked up the threats, including Trojans and ransomware, and if the program automatically removed them or placed them in a quarantine folder for us to take care of later. Most of the Mac antivirus programs caught the threats as the files opened and deleted them immediately. Some programs moved each threat into the quarantine folder while others quarantined just those threats that were created to look like legitimate programs. This gave us a good idea of how well the programs protect Mac computers. It also is a good way for us to evaluate how much of our computer’s resources are used while running. During virus scans we perform common tasks, such as sending email, browsing the web, watching movies and playing online games and look for any lag, buffering or slowdown that may be caused by the antivirus software.

While testing we look for how easy the program is to download, install, set up and use. We feel this is important since many users aren’t computer savvy, so an easy setup process ensures that all a program's tools are in working order.

How much does antivirus for Mac cost?

Because Mac antivirus solutions are basic programs without many tools beyond malware protection, you can expect to pay between $30 and $40 for a single user license. Some programs, like F-Secure SAFE, come with a minimum of three licenses to protect multiple computers or laptops at once. There are a few free programs available, but they generally don’t recognize as many threats – plus they bog down your computer and have lots of annoying pop-up ads. If you want more protection with parental controls, a personal firewall or a password manager, check out Mac internet security suites that typically come with these extra tools for around $50.

Which antivirus is best for Mac?

Best Apple Antivirus Software

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac and Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac are all great Mac antivirus programs that proved in our lab tests they are excellent at detecting, blocking and protecting against malware, including Trojans and ransomware. Because the most important function of antivirus for Mac is protecting against malware, Top Ten Reviews invests considerable time testing each program using live threats, so we can tell you exactly how the program works and how well it detects and blocks malware.

Best 2018 Antivirus For Mac

Windows threats don’t affect Mac devices, but we still test how well Mac antivirus tools detect these threats because they can hide among your files and accidentally be sent on to a PC through email or file sharing. Avast Security for Mac, AVG AntiVirus for Mac and Trend Micro all do an excellent job of detecting both Mac and Windows malware on Mac computers.

After protection, the biggest differences among Mac antivirus solutions are security features. Detection features are where and what the antivirus program scans on your computer. All of the leading programs scan USB drives and incoming email. Some Mac antivirus software includes a system vulnerability scan that looks for weak points in your computer, typically out-of-date software, and prompts you to install the latest version to strengthen those points. Programs such as Bitdefender present you with a legitimate link where you can download newer software rather than chance downloading a malicious link.

Extra security tools include parental controls that let you set up time limits or block family members from accessing dangerous websites. Password managers shield your username and password from key loggers as you log into email, bank accounts and social media pages. And safe banking tools protect you from identity thieves as you bank and shop online. These aren’t typically included with basic antivirus programs but are included with Mac internet security suites.

Mobile protection isn’t included with antivirus programs, but a few solutions, such as Intego and ESET, will scan your mobile phone or table for any threats and remove them if the device is connected to your computer through a USB port.

How do I remove viruses from my Mac?

The hardest part of cleaning a threat from a Mac computer is finding what the malware is called and where it is hiding, especially since there are sophisticated viruses that look and function like a legitimate app. There are sites that list common Mac malware and where they can be found using the Activity Monitor on your iOS. Once the threat is located, the next step is to stop the malicious application from running and quickly move it to the trash bin. This will keep the program from restarting. If there are any other folders or files that were installed along with the malicious application, make sure these are placed in the trash too; otherwise these files will continue to drain your computer’s resources and cause frustration. When you empty the trash bin these files will be permanently removed.

Best Antivirus For Imac

An easier way to ensure you quickly find and remove Mac viruses is to use an antivirus program like Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac because it not only locates malicious apps and files, but automatically scrubs them from your computer for you. On top of that, because Mac antivirus programs are paid for through a yearly subscription, you can keep the program installed and use it to prevent a malware attack in the future.

Best Free Antivirus For Mac 2018