Best Antivirus Software for Windows and Mac Computers These tips from CR's testers will help you find great malware protection—even some that's free By Bree Fowler. Jump to What to look for in antivirus software - All of our antivirus for Mac reviews. Avast Security Pro for Mac. Read Macworld's review. Sophos Home Premium for Mac. Norton Security Deluxe (Mac) Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac (version 6.2) McAfee Total Protection for Mac. Intego Mac Internet Security X9. ProtectWorks Antivirus for Mac.
. Scheduled scans allow you to set the time for Avast for Mac to run its routine scans for the. Moving the scheduled time to when it will least impact your workload is a big plus. File shield can check all of the files on your Mac for nefarious content. Files can also be checked by file type or location on your Mac. Web shield blocks unsafe websites from loading or downloads from those sites from occurring.
Mail shield prevents dangerous email attachments from downloading or from being executed. Local network scan makes sure your home network and all connected devices are free from vulnerabilities that hackers could make use of to steal personal data. Time Machine Protection monitors your Time Machine backups and prevents ransomware attacks that may try to encrypt or remove your backups. Safe File allows you to specify folders that will be continuously monitored, preventing unauthorized apps from making changes to these folders. Adware removal can free your Mac from annoying ads, unwanted browser add-ons, and browser toolbars that may be added without your consent. Traffic Light browser extension works with Safari, Chrome, and Firefox to add advance phishing detection to your browser and warn you of dangerous websites.
And what about Microsoft Windows 10 Defender (firewall included) that comes built in with all new PCs? It’s “is not quite as strong” as the three programs listed above but “still offers considerable protection,” CR said. They key thing for the consumer is, if you’re going to install another antivirus program on your PC, make sure it doesn’t just replicate what Windows Defender does. Are extra features worth the extra money? It depends Upgrading to “pro” or “premium” paid versions will often get you valuable extras like a firewall, password manager and a spam filter, as 2018 ($40) offers. Ransomware protection is also included in some cases.
Paid versions will also eliminate those pesky ads that are part and parcel of free software. But not all upgrades are equal, CR said. “Opening your wallet does not guarantee you a better product,” CR said, adding that the and suites “both scored lower than Windows Defender without offering any meaningful extras.” Mac's needs protection too In the past, a common refrain from Mac enthusiasts was that Apple computers weren’t vulnerable to viruses like PCs. Well, that’s definitely not the case anymore. 'Even though there are plenty of Mac users that are quick to point out that Macs shouldn't need protecting by any security software, it's a fact that Macs are being targeted exclusively by bad guys more and more,” Travis Witteveen, CEO of Avira, told Fox News in an email. “Macs are actually getting hacked by a variety of methods such as scripting languages and web-based attacksMac owners are not any safer than Windows users,” Witteveen added. In the Mac category, Avira Free Antivirus for Mac had the top score, according to CR. The best paid programs include (currently $39.99 for 1 device for one year) and for Mac ($39.95), CR said.