Best Internet Security Software 2018 For Mac

admin
Best Internet Security Software 2018 For Mac Rating: 5,0/5 5999 reviews

The best free antivirus for Mac Avast Security for Mac Avast Security for Mac is one of the most popular security suites available, and it’s easy to see why.

Get a Security Suite for All-Around Protection

Nobody should use a computer without antivirus protection—that's just not smart. Even Microsoft agrees; if you don't have third-party antivirus protection, Windows Defender automatically takes on the job. But security doesn't end with protection against malware. A firewall fends off network-based attacks, for example, and a VPN secures your data as it travels. For security beyond the basics, find yourself an integrated security suite that has the features you want. It's a lot cheaper and easier than hunting down all those features as separate utilities.

  1. Best (Premium) Internet Security Software It's a cruel world out there, with no shortage of malware, ransomware and phishing attacks to swoop in and steal your data, money and personal information.
  2. Best Mac Antivirus Software. You need an antivirus program on your Mac. That statement may cause some Apple users to argue or walk away, but 2017 has so far seen more Mac malware and adware than.
  3. Best Internet Security software 2018 for Mac OS Best Internet Security Software for Mac 2018. – MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook 12 inch and new released iMac Pro.

The top security companies offer security suites that integrate a variety of features. Some stick to the basics, while others pile on tons of useful extras, from online backup to dedicated ransomware protection. Just read PCMag's reviews of security suites and select one that has the features you need. We've reviewed nearly 50 security suites and identified a collection of the best, of all types from simple entry-level suites to cross-platform multi-device extravaganzas.

This article briefly mentions the many tests we use to evaluate security suites and determine which are the best. If you want more details on the torture tests we perform on every product we review, please read the full explanation of how we test security software.

Basic and Advanced Security Suites

Most security companies offer at least three levels of security products, a standalone antivirus utility, an entry-level security suite, and an advanced suite with additional features. Most entry-level suites include antivirus, firewall, antispam, parental control, and some sort of additional privacy protection such as protection against phishing sites, those frauds that try to steal your passwords. The advanced 'mega-suite' typically adds a backup component and some form of system tune-up utility, and some also add password managers and other security extras.

When a new product line comes out, we start by reviewing the antivirus. In our review of the entry-level suite, we summarize results from the antivirus review and dig deeper into the suite-specific features. And for a mega-suite review, we focus on the advanced features, referring back to the entry-level suite review for features shared by both. Your choice of a basic or advanced security suite depends entirely on what features matter to you.

The suites we've rounded up here aim to protect consumers. You can definitely use any of them in a small business, but as your company grows you may need to switch to a SaaS endpoint protection system. This type of service lets an administrator monitor and manage security for all the company's computers.

Windows Defender? Maybe

Over the years, the Windows Defender program built into Windows 10 has evolved into Microsoft Windows Defender Security Center. That imposing name reflects the fact that in addition to antivirus protection it manages Windows Firewall and other Windows security features. It doesn't truly qualify as a suite; it's just an antivirus that manages other Windows components. Independent antivirus test scores for Windows Defender have literally come in below zero in the past. They've been steadily improving; in one recent test, Windows Defender earned a perfect score. In our latest hands-on tests, it scored better than competing products. You can still get better overall protection from the best third-party free antivirus utilities, but Windows Defender is looking better all the time. Even so, it can't replace a full-scale security suite.

Fighting Malware, Adware, and Spyware

Malware protection is the heart of a security suite; without an antivirus component, there's no suite. Naturally you want a suite whose antivirus is effective. When evaluating an antivirus, we look for high marks from the independent antivirus testing labs. The fact that the labs consider a product important enough to test is a vote of confidence in itself. The very best antivirus products get high ratings from many labs.

We also perform our own hands-on testing. For one test we use a relatively static set of malware samples that's replaced once per year. We note how the antivirus reacts when we try to launch those samples and score it on how well it protects the test system. For another, we try to download very new malicious files from URLs no more than a few days old. Lab test results, our own test results, and other aspects like ease of use go into our antivirus rating.

Firewall Choices

A typical personal firewall offers protection in two main areas. On the one hand, it monitors all network traffic to prevent inappropriate access from outside the network. On the other, it keeps a watchful eye on running applications to make sure they don't misuse your network connection. The built-in Windows Firewall handles monitoring traffic, but doesn't include program control. A few security suites skip the firewall component, figuring that Windows Firewall already does the most essential firewall tasks.

The last thing you want is a firewall that bombards you with incomprehensible queries about online activity. Should BorisBadenov.exe be allowed to connect with 111.222.3.4 on port 8080? Allow or Block? Once, or always? Modern firewalls cut down the need for these queries by automatically configuring permissions for known programs. The very best also handle unknown programs by monitoring them closely for signs of improper network activity and other suspicious behaviors.

Squelch Some Spam

These days, most of us hardly ever see spam messages in our inboxes because your email provider filters them out. If you don't get this service from your provider, it can be hard to even find your valid mail amid all the offers of male enhancements, Russian brides, and quick-money schemes.

If your provider doesn't squelch spam, it's smart to choose a suite that has spam filtering built in. Look for one that integrates with your email client. Client integration lets it divert spam into its own folder, and sometimes let you train the spam filter by flagging any spam messages that get through or, worse, valid messages that wound up in the spam pile.

Phishing and Privacy Protection

The best antivirus in the world can't help you if a fraudulent website tricks you into giving away your security credentials. Phishing sites masquerade as bank sites, auction sites, even online dating sites. When you enter your username and password, though, your account is instantly compromised. Some clever ones will even pass along your credentials to the real site, to avoid raising suspicions. We test phishing protection using real-world fraudulent sites scraped from the internet.

Steering users away from phishing sites definitely helps protect privacy, but that's not the only way suites can keep your private information out of the wrong hands. Some offer specific protection for user-defined sensitive data, credit cards, bank accounts, that sort of thing. Any attempt to transmit sensitive data from your computer sets of an alarm. Some contract with third-party companies to offer credit protection. And some supply a hardened browser that lets you do online banking in an environment isolated from other processes.

What About Parental Control?

We don't penalize a suite for omitting parental control. Not everyone has kids, and not every parent feels comfortable about controlling and monitoring their children's computer use. However, if parental control is present, it has to work.

Blocking inappropriate websites and controlling how much time the child spends on the Internet (or on the computer) are the core components of a parental control system. Some suites add advanced features like instant message monitoring, limiting games based on ESRB ratings, and tracking the child's social networking activity. Others can't even manage the basics successfully.

VPN Protects Your Communications

Best Internet Security Software 2018 For Mac

Local antivirus and security suites protect your data and documents, but their protection doesn't extend to your internet communications. A virtual private network, or VPN, secures your internet traffic and can also serve to hide your actual IP address or location from snoops. Most VPN companies have just the one product, but some security suite companies have ventured into the VPN realm.

Typically, though, you don't get full VPN protection as part of your suite. Some install a free edition, or a free trial. Others offer a link that sends you online to subscribe. Norton 360 is a rare exception, offering a VPN without such limits.

Don't Bog Me Down

One big reason to use a security suite rather than a collection of individual utilities is that the integrated suite can do its tasks using fewer processes and a smaller chunk of your system's resources. Or at least, that's what ought to happen. Few modern suites have an appreciable effect on performance.

For a hands-on measure of just what effect installing a particular suite has, we time three common system actions with and without the suite installed, averaging many runs of each test. One test measures system boot time, another moves and copies a large collection of files between drives, and a third zips and unzips that same file collection repeatedly. Suites with the very lightest touch have almost no effect on the time required.

Backup and Tune-Up Utilities

In a sense, having a backup of all your files is the ultimate security. Even if ransomware destroys your data, you can still restore from backup. Some companies reserve backup for their mega-suite offering, while others include it in the entry-level suite. Read our reviews carefully, as backup capabilities vary wildly. At the low end, some companies give you nothing you couldn't get for free from Mozy, IDrive, or another online backup service. At the high end you might get 25GB or more of online storage hosted by the company, along with the ability to make local backups.

Tuning up your system performance has no direct connection with security, unless it serves to counteract the security suite's performance drag. However, tune-up components often include privacy-related features such as clearing traces of browsing history, wiping out temporary files, and deleting lists of recently used documents. For a dedicated system-cleaning app, read our roundup of the Best Tune-Up Utilities.

Mac, Android, and iOS Security

Windows still dominates the desktop, but many households include Macs as well. Cross-platform multi-device suites give you once source of protection for all your devices. Typically you don't get as many features on macOS. In fact, most companies just offer a Mac antivirus, not a full suite. Do take advantage of the option to protect your Macs. They're not immune to malware.

Android devices are ubiquitous, and the Android platform isn't locked down the way iOS is. Even if you stay away from third-party app stores and refrain from jailbreaking your device, you can still get hit with Trojans, ransomware, and other kinds of Android malware. Smart users protect their devices with an Android antivirus. All the best Android antivirus utilities include antitheft features such as the ability to locate, lock, or wipe a lost or stolen device. Many include bonus features like blocking unwanted calls or warning when you connect to an insecure Wi-Fi network.

As for iPhones and other iOS devices, Apple's built-in security makes life tough both for malware coders and antivirus writers. Many cross-platform suites simply skip iOS; those that don't typically offer a seriously stripped-down experience. Given the platform's intrinsic security, it rarely makes sense to expend one of your licenses installing protection on an iPhone.

What's Not Here?

We've evaluated nearly fifty security suites, including entry-level suites, feature-packed mega-suites, and suites that extend protection across multiple different platforms. The products listed in the chart at the top of this article have all received at least four stars; the blurbs below also include products that earned at least three stars.

In some cases, two products from the same company appear in the chart. For example, Bitdefender Internet Security is an Editors' Choice for entry-level suite, and Bitdefender Total Security earned the same honor as a security mega-suite. The same pattern holds for Kaspersky, Symantec, and Trend Micro.

You won't find McAfee LiveSafe in the chart. There's no effective difference between McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee Total Protection, and you can't buy LiveSafe; it's an OEM product. We have three Kaspersky suites that earned four stars or better, but only two that are Editors' Choice products. On that basis, the basic Kaspersky Internet Security suite no longer appears in the chart.

What's the Best Security Suite?

The chart at top details ten security suites that we definitely recommend, including multi-device suites, mega-suites, and entry-level suites. If you're looking for a suite that covers the basics without getting in the way, Bitdefender Internet Security and Kaspersky Internet Security are our Editors' Choice winners. In the mega-suite range, Editors' Choice goes to Bitdefender Total Security, with more features than you can imagine.

Symantec Norton 360 Deluxe, which protects up to five devices, and Kaspersky, which protects up to 20, are our Editors' Choice product for cross-platform multi-device security suite. Note that to get more Norton licenses, you must upgrade to one of the subscriptions that bundles LifeLock identity theft remediation—each level gets you more suite licenses and VPN licenses, as well as more hosted storage for online backup. With a powerful, integrated suite protecting your devices, you can stay protected without worrying about balancing security against performance.

Of course, the suite you like best may not be one we've identified as an Editors' Choice. The blurbs below include every suite that earned at least three stars in our evaluation.

Editors' Note: We are aware of the allegations of Kaspersky Labs' inappropriate ties to the Russian government. Until we see some actual proof of these allegations, we will treat them as unproven, and continue to recommend Kaspersky's security products as long as their performance continues to merit our endorsement.

Best Security Suites Featured in This Roundup:

  • Bitdefender Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Outstanding scores in independent antivirus lab tests and our web protection tests. Multilayered ransomware protection. Includes VPN. Full-featured parental control. File encryption. Webcam security. Many bonus features.

    Cons: Unlimited VPN access requires separate subscription. With antivirus disabled, ransomware-specific features missed one uncommon sample in testing. Parental control for iOS not fully functional.

    Bottom Line: Bitdefender Internet Security gets VPN protection and all the other security features from the company's excellent antivirus product, plus it adds webcam security, effective parental control, and more. It earns our Editors' Choice badge as a top entry-level security suite.

    Read Review

  • Bitdefender Total Security Review


    MSRP: $89.99

    Pros: Award-winning antivirus. Many bonus features including VPN and ransomware protection. Premium Parental Control detects cyberbullying. Anti-theft for Windows, Android, and iOS. Optimization for Windows.

    Cons: Limited iOS support. Premium Parental Control costs extra.

    Bottom Line: If you want every imaginable security component in a single well-integrated package, plus a wealth of useful bonus features and cross-platform protection, Bitdefender's Total Security mega-suite is what you need.

    Read Review

  • Kaspersky Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $79.99

    Pros: Top-notch scores from four labs. Best antiphishing score. Firewall with powerful application control. Protection for macOS and Android devices. Automated security patching. Webcam protection. Many bonus features.

    Cons: Hard to find some settings.

    Bottom Line: Kaspersky Internet Security gets top scores from the antivirus testing labs. It comes with everything you'd expect in a suite, along with plenty of extras, and its components are consistently effective.

    Read Review

  • Kaspersky Security Cloud Review


    MSRP: $149.99

    Pros: Protection for up to 20 Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Includes security, parental control, password management, VPN, and much more. Online dashboard manages security. Great per-device price.

    Cons: VPN bandwidth limited. Password manager lacks advanced features. Requires many separate installations.

    Bottom Line: Kaspersky Security Cloud is a security suite that lets you install and manage Kaspersky security on up to 20 PCs, phones, and tablets at an impressively low per-device price.

    Read Review

  • Symantec Norton 360 Deluxe Review


    MSRP: $99.99

    Pros: No-limits VPN. Top scores in our malware protection and malicious URL blocking tests. Hosted storage for online backup. Powerful, self-sufficient firewall. Supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Virus protection promise.

    Cons: Security protection limited on iOS devices. No parental control for macOS.

    Bottom Line: In addition to cross-platform security, hosted online backup, and a ton of security features, Symantec Norton 360 Deluxe gives you a no-limits VPN and full-featured parental control system that would cost plenty by themselves. It's a high-security bargain.

    Read Review

  • Symantec Norton 360 With LifeLock Select Review


    MSRP: $149.99

    Pros: Includes LifeLock identity theft mitigation. No-limits VPN. Excellent security protection. Supports Windows, macOS, Android, iOS. Virus protection promise.

    Cons: Expensive. Security protection limited on iOS devices. No parental control for macOS.

    Bottom Line: In addition to providing thorough cross-platform security, Symantec Norton 360 with LifeLock Select aims to help you recover from the crippling effects of identity theft.

    Read Review

  • Kaspersky Total Security Review


    MSRP: $99.99

    Pros: Perfect scores from four antivirus labs. Comprehensive parental control. File encryption and shredding. Password manager. Backup system. Cross-platform protection. Tons of bonus features.

    Cons: Pricier than competing products. Lacks hosted storage for online backup.

    Bottom Line: Kaspersky Total Security offers nearly everything you could want in a security suite: Award-winning antivirus protection, a strong firewall, comprehensive parental control, local and online backup, file encryption, and more.

    Read Review

  • McAfee Total Protection Review


    MSRP: $99.99

    Pros: Cross-platform security for all devices in your household. Comprehensive identity theft protection and remediation. Safe Family parental control. Five licenses for True Key password manager. File encryption.

    Cons: Encryption weakened by use of simple security questions. Antivirus lab scores better, but still not tops. Parental control could use some work.

    Bottom Line: McAfee Total Protection offers excellent security and password management for all your devices, and parental control for all except Macs. The suite's comprehensive new identity theft protection system is an enticing extra.

    Read Review

  • Trend Micro Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $79.95

    Pros: Excellent scores in our antiphishing and malicious URL blocking tests. Hardened browser for online banking. PC optimizer. Social media privacy scanner. Many useful bonus features.

    Cons: Parental control easily foiled. Spam filter only works with Outlook. Poor score in hands-on malware protection test. No firewall.

    Bottom Line: Trend Micro Internet Security adds many useful components to the already rich feature set of Trend Micro Antivirus+ Security. If its strengths match your needs, it can be a winner.

    Read Review

  • Trend Micro Maximum Security Review


    MSRP: $89.95

    Pros: Excellent scores in our antiphishing and malicious URL blocking tests. Many useful bonus features. Comprehensive Android security. Protection for macOS beyond the basics. Unusually rich iOS support.

    Cons: Parental control easily foiled on some platforms. Poor score in hands-on malware protection test. Some problems with social media privacy scanner.

    Bottom Line: Trend Micro Maximum Security offers protection for your Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS devices, though you get a richer set of features on Windows and Android.

    Read Review

  • Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete Review


    MSRP: $79.99

    Pros: Excellent antivirus protection. 25GB hosted storage to back up and sync files. Tune-up tools for macOS and Windows. Full-featured Android security. Light on system resources. Fastest scan.

    Cons: Password manager features limited. Few independent antivirus lab results. Secure deletion tool does no data overwriting at its default level.

    Bottom Line: Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete adds backup, tune-up, and secure deletion for your Windows and macOS devices. If you don't need spam filtering or parental control, this suite is a good deal.

    Read Review

  • Avast Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Antivirus received high scores in testing. Robust firewall. Simple spam filter. Password manager. Ransomware protection. Bonus features enhance security.

    Cons: Password manager is limited in features. Many bonus features require separate purchase.

    Bottom Line: Avast Internet Security is a full-scale suite, with an antivirus, a robust firewall, a simple spam filter, and a wealth of bonus features. Depending upon your needs, though, the company's free antivirus might be more cost effective.

    Read Review

  • AVG Internet Security - Unlimited Review


    MSRP: $79.99

    Pros: Very good scores in multiple independent lab tests and our own hands-on tests. Unlimited licenses. Includes ransomware protection and webcam protection.

    Cons: Initial scan slower than average. Unusually large impact in performance tests.

    Bottom Line: You can install AVG Internet Security - Unlimited on as many PCs as you like, defending them with AVG's powerful antivirus plus protection against ransomware, webcam peepers, and more.

    Read Review

  • Avira Prime Review


    MSRP: $99.99

    Pros: Good antivirus protection. Full-powered VPN. System optimizer. Identity monitoring. Automatic software updates. Actionable password strength report. Ransomware protection.

    Cons: Browser Safety works only with Chrome and Firefox. Administrator can't prevent users from whitelisting unknown USB drives. High impact on boot time. So-so phishing protection score.

    Bottom Line: If you're going to buy any Avira product, Avira Prime is the one to get, as it includes every free and paid Avira product. However, even with its entire posse of products it can't challenge the best cross-platform multi-device security suites.

    Read Review

  • McAfee Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $89.99

    Pros: Protection for every Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS device in your household. Excellent phishing protection. Improved independent lab scores. Password manager rich in multi-factor authentication options. Many bonus features.

    Cons: Parental control awkward, limited. Offers little beyond what's in the antivirus.

    Bottom Line: McAfee Internet Security offers all expected suite features, antivirus, firewall, antispam, parental control, and more. But you get the best of these features in McAfee's standalone antivirus, for quite a bit less.

    Read Review

  • Total Defense Ultimate Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $99.99

    Pros: Excellent macOS and Android protection. Very good phishing protection test score. Good malware protection scores. Includes 25GB hosted storage for backup.

    Cons: No results from independent antivirus testing labs. Web protection disabled by default. Simple parental control is easily defeated. No option for local backup. Phishing protection less effective on macOS.

    Bottom Line: Total Defense Ultimate Internet Security offers excellent protection for macOS and Android devices, both licensed from Bitdefender, along with less impressive protection for Windows.

    Read Review

  • Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Excellent antivirus protection. Can reverse some ransomware attacks. Full-featured Android security. Light on system resources in testing. Fastest scan in testing.

    Cons: Limited password manager doesn't add significant value. Few independent lab test results.

    Bottom Line: On top of excellent antivirus protection, Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus adds full-featured Android security and a lackluster password manager.

    Read Review

  • Avast Premier Review


    MSRP: $69.99

    Pros: High scores from antivirus testing labs. Secure deletion utility. Protection against webcam spying. Ransomware protection. Many security-related bonus features.

    Cons: Some bonus features still require separate payment. Feature enhancements don't merit this suite's price.

    Bottom Line: Upgrading from Avast's entry-level security suite to Avast Premier gets you secure deletion, webcam protection, and automated software updates. These enhancements don't really merit the higher price.

    Read Review

  • Avira Free Security Suite Review


    MSRP: $0.00

    Pros: Installs antivirus, software updater, VPN, home network scanner, and many other Avira tools. Includes password manager. Very good score in malicious URL blocking test. Free.

    Cons: Many components require payment for full functionality. Real-time protection missed some executable malware files. Slow on-demand scan. Browser protection only for Chrome and Firefox.

    Bottom Line: Avira Free Security Suite installs and manages an eclectic collection of free Avira products, but it doesn't come close to the power of a full-scale, commercial security suite.

    Read Review

  • BullGuard Premium Protection Review


    MSRP: $99.95

    Pros: Network security scanner. Identity protection. Good scores from independent antivirus labs. Good phishing protection score. Full-featured Android security. Antivirus for macOS. Many bonus features.

    Cons: Antivirus allowed takeover by a ransomware sample. Poor score in hands-on malware protection test. Some components dated and limited. Awkward configuration for identity protection.

    Bottom Line: BullGuard Premium Protection adds identity protection and network security scanning to the uneven features of BullGuard Internet Security. The added features are worthwhile, and a quirk in pricing makes Premium Protection a better deal.

    Read Review

  • Check Point ZoneAlarm Extreme Security Review


    MSRP: $89.95

    Pros: Powerful, durable firewall. Kaspersky-powered antivirus. Award-winning ransomware protection. Useful bonus tools.

    Cons: No current independent antivirus lab results. Lacks many features found in previous edition. So-so scores against malicious and fraudulent websites. Phishing protection only in Chrome.

    Bottom Line: Check Point's ZoneAlarm Extreme Security adds award-winning ransomware protection and a few other security features, but has dropped quite a few components since our last review.

    Read Review

  • ESET Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $49.99

    Pros: Good antivirus lab scores. Useful home network security scanner. Anti-theft software for laptops. Scans firmware for malware. Webcam security.

    Cons: So-so phishing protection. Device control too complex for most users. Annoying firewall. One-trick parental control.

    Bottom Line: ESET Internet Security offers a full array of suite components plus some uncommon tools, but the quality of its components just isn't consistent.

    Read Review

  • ESET Multi-Device Security Pack Review


    MSRP: $79.99

    Pros: Protection for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. Full-featured Android security. Effective Android parental control. Powerful Windows antivirus.

    Cons: Lacks premium features for Windows. Parental control limited under Windows and Mac. Fewer features on Mac. No support for iOS. Expensive.

    Bottom Line: ESET Multi-Device Security Pack offers security for Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux devices, but it's pricey, and its protection isn't consistent across platforms.

    Read Review

  • ESET Smart Security Premium Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Good antivirus lab scores. Includes password manager and file encryption. Can protect macOS and Android devices.

    Cons: Password manager lacks advanced features. So-so phishing protection. No secure deletion for originals after encryption. Poor parental control on macOS.

    Bottom Line: ESET Smart Security Premium piles encryption and a basic password manager onto the features in ESET's entry-level suite, but it just doesn't add enough value for the money.

    Read Review

  • F-Secure Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $69.99

    Pros: Top score in our malicious URL blocking test. Good score in our malware protection test. Banking protection prevents man-in-the-middle attacks.

    Cons: Mediocre phishing protection. Good, not great, test lab scores. Failed one ransomware test. Enhanced browser protection does not support Edge. Parental control limited and awkward.

    Bottom Line: F-Secure Internet Security's excellent score in our malicious URL blocking test is overshadowed by limited parental control and ransomware problems, and by its more useful cousin, F-Secure Safe.

    Read Review

  • F-Secure Safe Review


    MSRP: $69.99

    Pros: Protects Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. Remote account management. Cross-platform parental control with remote configuration. Finder for lost mobile devices.

    Cons: Many-device licenses expensive. Parental control limited on iOS. Windows behavioral protection component failed some ransomware tests.

    Quicken 2019 for Windows imports data from Quicken for Windows 2010 or newer, Microsoft Money 2008 and 2009 (for Deluxe and higher). Quicken 2019 for Mac imports data from Quicken for Windows 2010 or newer, Quicken for Mac 2015 or newer, Quicken for Mac 2007, Quicken Essentials for. Create detail report in quicken for mac 2018 torrent. Quicken displays the settings you can adjust before you create the report. Select the date or dates you want the report or graph to include. If the date range you want isn't in the default list, you can select Custom dates and specify your own. Dec 30, 2017  Create Useful Category/Transaction Detail Report First, click on the underlined link above to go there, then click VOTE at the top of THAT page, so your will vote count for THIS feature and increase its visibility to the developers by seeking to have the features you need or desire end up in the latest version.

    Bottom Line: An F-Secure Safe subscription lets you install security software on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, but it costs more and does less than the best cross-platform competitors.

    Read Review

  • G Data Total Security Review


    MSRP: $69.95

    Pros: Flexible encrypted storage. Enhanced backup. System tune-up. Device control. Good antivirus lab scores. Excellent malware blocking test score.

    Cons: Password manager features very limited. Poor antiphishing score. Firewall could be hacked. Useless parental control. Device control may confuse the average user.

    Bottom Line: G Data Total Security adds bonus features beyond the company's entry-level suite, but component quality varies, and many features haven't evolved in the last couple years.

    Read Review

  • K7 Ultimate Security Gold 15 Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Good score in our malware blocking and malicious URL blocking tests. Decent scores from antivirus labs. Firewall resists direct attack. Highly configurable spam filter. Backup. Tuneup. Bonus tools. Tiny performance impact.

    Cons: Spam filter proved highly inaccurate in our testing. Poor score in our antiphishing test. Minimal parental control. Backup to local drives only. Not tested by many antivirus labs.

    Bottom Line: K7 Ultimate Security Gold 15 has improved over its previous version in some areas, but the quality of its components still varies quite a bit.

    Read Review

  • Panda Dome Advanced Review


    MSRP: $70.99

    Pros: Slick, attractive user interface. Parental content filter. Effective ransomware protection. Includes firewall, VPN, USB vaccination. Supports Windows, macOS, Android.

    Cons: Dismal protection against dangerous and fraudulent websites. So-so score in our malware protection test. Expensive, especially on macOS and Android.

    Bottom Line: Panda Dome Advanced adds parental control and ransomware protection to the features of Panda Dome Essential. It handles ransomware that slips past the entry-level product, but still has some of the lowest test scores.

    Read Review

  • ThreatTrack Vipre Advanced Security Review


    MSRP: $54.99

    Pros: Good scores in independent antivirus lab tests and some of our tests. Straightforward spam filter. Firewall stealths ports and offers simple program control. Tiny performance hit. Low price.

    Cons: So-so scores in our malware blocking test. Many firewall features disabled by default. Intrusion Detection System covers limited number of exploits. Firewall not hardened against attack.

    Bottom Line: Threat Track's Vipre Advanced Security offers almost all expected suite features at a low price. It won't dethrone our Editors' Choice suites, but it's an improvement over the previous edition.

    Read Review

  • Total Defense Premium Internet Security Review


    MSRP: $79.99

    Pros: Very good phishing protection test score. Good malware protection scores. Includes 10GB hosted storage for backup.

    Cons: No results from independent testing labs. Web protection disabled by default. Simple parental control is easily defeated. Performance check offers no useful recommendations. No option for local backup.

    Bottom Line: Total Defense Premium Internet Security adds the web-based malware protection missing from the company's antivirus, along with other suite-level features. The price is nice, but you're better off paying a little more for more security.

    Read Review

Even Macs Need Antivirus Protection

You heard it on the TV—Macs don't get viruses. And like much of what you hear on the TV, this isn't true. Sure, macOS is intrinsically more secure than Windows or Android, but Mac-centered malware totally exists. The time to think about protecting your Mac is now, not after you've lost all your important documents to ransomware. If you're picking a Mac antivirus for the first time, don't worry. Our reviews will help you make an informed choice.

As with Windows antivirus tools, the most common price is just under $40 per year for a single license. ProtectWorks is unusual in that a single $29.95 payment lets you protect all the Macs in your household, with no subscription needed. McAfee goes beyond that, with a $59.99 per year subscription that protects all your Macs, PCs, Android, and iOS devices. With Sophos Home Premium, $60 per year lets you install and remotely manage protection on 10 Macs or PCs. At the high end, you pay $99.99 per year for a three-license subscription to Intego Mac Internet Security X9.

You may have heard that macOS Mojave, the latest macOS, advances the platform's privacy and security. Safari on Mojave automatically blocks ads and social media trackers. The built-in password manager does more than ever. And when AppleScript apps try to access internal macOS features, Mojave makes them wait until you give permission. But nothing we've seen suggests that upgrading to Mojave will obviate the need for an antivirus utility.

Free Mac Antivirus Protection

There's another angle to the variation in Mac antivirus pricing. How about paying nothing at all? Avast Security (for Mac), AVG AntiVirus for Mac, Avira Free Antivirus for Mac, and Sophos Home Free (for Mac) are totally free for personal use, although Sophos technically limits you to three devices, macOS or Windows. AVG also offers free antivirus for Mac, but until its phishing protection improves we can't recommend it. The best commercial products offer more protection but if you can't afford the best, at least install a free antivirus.

What's Not Here

Every macOS antivirus that earned 3.5 stars or better appears in the chart above. Another half-dozen managed a decent three-star rating, but there isn't room for another six products. I chose to favor three products that originated on the Mac platform, ClamXAV and Intego Mac Internet Security. Everything else being equal, there's surely some virtue in loyalty to macOS.

Avast Security Pro (for Mac), ESET Cyber Security (for Mac), and Malwarebytes for Mac Premium also earned three stars, as did the Mac-specific ProtectWorks AntiVirus. However, ProtectWorks, ESET, and Malwarebytes don't have any lab results at present, and with Avast, you might as well use the free edition, because you don't get a lot more by paying. These four didn't quite make it into the chart. The names Avast, ESET, and Malwarebytes are well known in Windows circles. If you're using a Windows security product from one of these companies, it makes sense to do the same on your Macs.

Malware Protection Lab Certifications

When you go to select a new washer, refrigerator, or other appliance, chances are good you research it first. User reviews can be helpful, as long as you discard the very best and very worst of them. But actual test results performed by an independent lab give you more reliable information. Two large labs include macOS antivirus products in their testing, but the slate of products for testing is variable. When we first rounded up Mac antivirus products, all those in the chart below had at least one certification, but at present, many of them don't appear in either lab's test results.

The researchers at AV-Test Institute evaluate Mac antivirus products on three criteria: protection, performance, and usability. A product can earn up to six points for each. Protection against malware protection is essential, of course, as is a low impact on performance. A high usability score reflects a small number of false positives, legitimate programs and websites identified as dangerous. Several products achieved a perfect 18 points, all six points for all three criteria.

In the macOS malware test by AV-Comparatives, most charted products scored 100 percent. This lab, too, included a test using malware aimed at Windows. Yes, these samples can't affect a computer running macOS, but they could conceivably escape to Windows machines on the network. Scores in the Windows malware test ranged from zero to 100 percent, which is quite a span.

Results in macOS-specific tests have a much smaller point spread than in tests of Windows antivirus utilities. It's good that many products in the chart received at least one certification for Mac protection, and even better that some received two certifications.

Hands-On Phishing Protection Testing

When we test malware protection on Windows, we use live malware inside an isolated virtual machine. We've coded a number of analysis tools over the years to help with this testing. Little of that testing regimen carries over to the Mac.

Phishing, however, isn't platform-specific, and neither is our antiphishing test. Phishing websites imitate secure sites, everything from banks and finance sites to gaming and dating sites. If you enter your credentials at the fake login page, you've given the phisher access to your account. And it doesn't matter if you are browsing on a PC, a Mac, or an internet-aware sewing machine.

Almost all the products in the chart below include protection against malicious and fraudulent sites. With ClamXAV and Intego, this just isn't an included feature. Malwarebytes and ProtectWorks also lack an antiphishing component.

The wily malefactors who create phishing sites are in the business of deception, and they constantly change and update their techniques, hoping to evade detection. If one fraudulent site gets blacklisted or shut down by the authorities, they simply pop up with a new one. That being the case, we try to use the very newest phishing URLs for testing, scraping them from phishing-focused websites.

We launch each URL simultaneously in four browsers. One is Safari or Chrome on the Mac, protected by the Mac antivirus that's under test. The other three use the protection built into Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Discarding any that don't fit the phishing profile, and any that don't load correctly in all four browsers, we report the product's detection rate as well as the difference between its detection rate and that of the other three test systems.

Cnet Best Internet Security Software 2018

Most of the products in this roundup beat the combined average of the three browsers. Kaspersky and McAfee top the list with 100 percent detection, while Bitdefender's score of 99 percent comes close behind. All three of these winners scored precisely the same when tested under Windows.

Ransomware Protection

The scourge of ransomware is on the rise. While ransomware attacks are more common on Windows devices, Macs have suffered as well. Of course, any antivirus utility should handle ransomware just as it handles spyware, Trojans, viruses, and other malware types. But since the consequences of missing a ransomware attack are so great, some security products add components with the sole purpose of preventing ransomware attacks.

We've observed a wide variety of ransomware protection techniques on Windows. These include blocking unauthorized access to user documents, detecting ransomware based on its activity, and recovering encrypted files from backup. Of the products listed here, Bitdefender and Trend Micro offer a ransomware component that blocks unauthorized modification of protected documents.

Free Best Internet Security Software

As with Bitdefender's Windows edition, the Safe Files feature prevents all unauthorized access to your documents. On a Mac, it also protects your Time Machine backups. Trend Micro offers multiple layers of Windows ransomware protection. Folder Shield, which, like Safe Files, prevents unauthorized document access, is the only layer that made its way to the macOS edition.

Sophos Home Premium includes the same CryptoGuard behavior-based ransomware protection found in its Windows equivalent. Our Windows test sytsems are virtual machines, so we feel free to release real-world ransomware for testing. We just roll back the virtual machine to a clean snapshot after testing. We don't have the option to do that on the physical Mac testbed, so we just have to figure that since it worked on Windows, it probably works on macOS.

Spyware Protection

Any kind of malware problem is unpleasant, but spyware may be the most unnerving. Imagine some creeper secretly peeking at you through your Mac's webcam! Other types of spying include logging keystrokes to capture your passwords, sending Trojans to steal your personal data, and watching your online activities to build a profile. As with ransomware protection, we've observed more features specifically devoted to spyware protection on Windows-based security products than on the Mac, but a few products in this collection do pay special attention to spyware.

Under Windows, Kaspersky's Safe Money feature opens sensitive sites in a secure browser that's hardened against outside interference. The Safe Money feature on the Mac doesn't do that, but it does check URLs to make sure you're on a legitimate secure site. Kaspersky offers an onscreen keyboard, so you can enter passwords with no chance of capture by a keylogger. Its webcam protection isn't as configurable as it is on Windows, but you can use it to disable your Mac's webcam whenever you're not using it. It even includes the ability to block advertisers and others from tracking your online activities. If spyware is your bugaboo, you'll like Kaspersky.

Sophos Home Premium offers protection for the webcam and microphone that's more substantial than Kaspersky's. You get a notification any time an untrusted program attempts to access either; you can allow access or stop the program. There's also an option to whitelist a program, so you don't get a popup every time you use your off-brand video chat tool.

Bonus Features

Many antivirus tools on Windows pack in a ton of bonus features, packing in everything from tune-up utilities to VPNs. That behavior seems less common on the macOS side, though Norton now includes a VPN with no bandwidth limits. Even so, some vendors don't have a standalone Mac antivirus, opting instead to offer a full security suite as the baseline level of protection, and a few others include suite-like bonus features in the basic antivirus.

A typical personal firewall component blocks attacks coming in from the internet and also manages network permissions for programs installed on your Mac. Intego, McAfee, and Norton each include a firewall component, while Kaspersky's Network Protection comes close.

Best Internet Security Software 2018

Parental control is another common suite component. With Sophos (free or premium) and Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac, a content filter can block access to websites matching unwanted categories. Kaspersky goes beyond that, with content filtering, screen time limits, and control over apps used. An additional $14.99 per year unlocks all the features of the powerful Kaspersky Safe Kids.

Protect Your Mac

Best Internet Protection For Mac

Most of the products covered in this roundup earned certification from at least one independent testing lab; some managed two certifications. There really are no bad choices here, as far as basic antivirus protection goes. Even so, a few products stood out. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac not only achieved certification from both labs, it earned the maximum score in every test, and took the top antiphishing score. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac also earned high scores. It offers a full suite of Mac security tools, at the same price competitors charge for basic antivirus protection. Symantec Norton 360 Deluxe (for Mac) is also a suite, and its features include a no-limits VPN. These three are our Editors' Choice winners for Mac antivirus protection.

Look over the reviews, pick the product that suits you best, and get your Mac protected. Once you've done that, you should also consider installing a Mac VPN. While an antivirus protects you, your devices, and your data locally, a VPN extends that protection to your online activities, protecting both your security and your privacy.

Internet Security For The Mac

Editors' Note: We are aware of the allegations of Kaspersky's inappropriate ties to the Russian government. Until we see some actual proof of these allegations, we will treat them as unproven, and continue to recommend Kaspersky's security products as long as their performance continues to merit our endorsement.

Best Internet Security Software 2018 For Mac

Best Mac Antivirus Protection Featured in This Roundup:

  • Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Protects files and backups from ransomware. Top ratings from two independent testing labs. Excellent score in our antiphishing test. No-hassle Autopilot mode. Blocks ad trackers in browsers. Includes VPN.

    Cons: Full access to VPN features requires separate subscription.

    Bottom Line: Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac gets top marks from the independent labs and in our own hands-on testing. With its handy Autopilot mode, you can set it, forget it, and have confidence that your Mac is protected against malware.

    Read Review

  • Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Excellent scores from two independent testing labs. Kaspersky Safe Kids for parental control. Network protection. Perfect score in our antiphishing test. Privacy protection. Useful bonus tools.

    Cons: Safe Money and webcam protection features are limited compared to their Windows counterparts. Safe Kids and VPN require additional subscription for full functionality.

    Bottom Line: Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac excels in independent lab tests, and it goes far beyond mere antivirus, offering protection against network attacks, parental control, privacy protection, and many other useful features.

    Read Review

  • Symantec Norton 360 Deluxe (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $99.99

    Pros: Includes no-limits VPN. Certified by one independent testing lab. Fast scan. Firewall blocks exploit attacks. Cleans up unneeded files.

    Cons: Relatively expensive. Limited detection of Windows malware.

    Bottom Line: Symantec's Norton 360 Deluxe delivers lab-certified Mac antivirus protection along with a two-way firewall, a password manager, and a full-powered VPN.

    Read Review

  • Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Very fast full scan. Certified by one antivirus lab. Excellent phishing protection. Excellent detection of Windows malware. Marks dangerous links in search results.

    Cons: Lowest passing score in independent lab test.

    Bottom Line: Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus is by far the fastest Mac antivirus scanner we've seen, and it provides especially good phishing protection in our testing, too.

    Read Review

  • F-Secure Safe (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $69.99

    Pros: Very good scores from two testing labs. Simple cross-platform parental control. Quick full scan.

    Cons: Expensive at high numbers of licenses. So-so phishing protection.

    Bottom Line: F-Secure Safe for Mac gets high marks from two independent antivirus testing labs. It offers simple multi-device parental control, but it can't match the rich feature collections of the best Mac antivirus tools.

    Read Review

  • McAfee AntiVirus Plus (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Subscription covers unlimited macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS devices. Perfect score in antiphishing test. Includes simple personal firewall.

    Cons: No current test results from independent labs. Firewall no longer includes application control.

    Bottom Line: One subscription gives you unlimited licenses to protect all your Macs with McAfee AntiVirus Plus, and your Windows, Android, and iOS devices, too, and it aces our phishing protection test.

    Read Review

  • Sophos Home Premium (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $60.00

    Pros: Remote management. Webcam protection. Decent phishing protection. Ransomware protection. Simple parental control. Inexpensive.

    Cons: No independent lab test results. Parental content filter foiled by secure anonymizing proxy. Lacks exploit protection, download reputation check, keylogger protection, and other advanced features found in the Windows edition.

    Bottom Line: Sophos Home Premium offers Mac antivirus protection at a low price, but it lacks many advanced features found in the Windows edition and doesn't have verification from independent testing labs.

    Read Review

  • Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac Review


    MSRP: $39.95

    Pros: Certified by two antivirus testing labs. Speedy full scan. Social network privacy scan. Includes ransomware protection, webcam privacy, and parental control.

    Cons: Parental control foiled by secure anonymizing proxy. Very poor phishing protection score. Webcam privacy needs work. Social network privacy not fully functional. Licensing model not practical for all-Mac households.

    Bottom Line: Two major independent testing labs certify Trend Micro's ability to fight malware on your Mac. It comes with a boatload of bonus features, but some of those need work.

    Read Review

  • Avast Security Pro (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $59.99

    Pros: Certified by one independent testing lab. Speedy full scan. Excellent phishing protection for Chrome and Firefox. Useful bonus features. Ransomware protection. Wi-Fi intruder detection.

    Cons: Doesn't add much to free edition's features. Expensive. Poor phishing protection for Safari. Password manager includes only basic features.

    Bottom Line: Avast Security Pro (for Mac) adds ransomware protection and Wi-Fi intruder detection to the features found in Avast's free antivirus, but these additions don't merit its high price.

    Read Review

  • ClamXav (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $29.95

    Pros: Lab-certified for Mac malware protection. Scans for malware on demand, on access, and on schedule. Straightforward user interface.

    Cons: No filtering of malicious or fraudulent websites.

    Bottom Line: ClamXAV wraps the venerable, open source ClamAntiVirus engine in a straightforward user interface. It's lab-certified to protect your Mac, but doesn't go beyond the basics.

    Read Review

  • ESET Cyber Security (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Elaborate scan scheduling options. Good detection of Windows malware. Simple device control. Includes online cybersecurity training.

    Cons: Poor results in our hands-on antiphishing test. Slow scans in testing. No longer certified by independent labs.

    Bottom Line: Though it doesn't have current certification from independent testing labs, ESET Cyber Security offers comprehensive protection for your macOS devices plus cybersecurity training.

    Read Review

  • Intego Mac Internet Security X9 Review


    MSRP: $49.99

    Pros: Certified by two labs for Mac malware protection. Includes full-featured firewall. Detects Mac, Windows, and Linux malware.

    Cons: Poor detection of Windows malware. No protection against malicious or fraudulent websites.

    Bottom Line: Intego Mac Internet Security X9 scores well in lab tests using Mac malware, and it offers firewall protection. But it fails against Windows malware and lacks protection against dangerous URLs.

    Read Review

  • Malwarebytes for Mac Premium Review


    MSRP: $39.99

    Pros: Extremely fast malware scan. Very good reputation among tech experts.

    Cons: No protection against malicious or fraudulent websites. No detection of Windows malware.

    Bottom Line: The premium edition of Malwarebytes for Mac scans for active malware and uses real-time detection to prevent infestation. It has a very good reputation, but hard data showing its effectiveness is scarce.

    Read Review

  • ProtectWorks AntiVirus (for Mac) Review


    MSRP: $44.99

    Pros: Certified for Mac protection by an independent testing lab. Scans on demand, on access, and on schedule.

    Cons: No web-based protection against malicious or fraudulent sites. Mediocre detection of Windows malware.

    Bottom Line: An independent lab verifies that ProtectWorks AntiVirus can keep your Mac safe from malware, but it lacks some useful features found in competing products.

    Read Review