Question What's best anti-virus/malware software is to buy for Mac?

[4katzsnme]

I only use a Mac. I'm overwhelmed with all info about best anti-virus/malware software is to buy. Can you help me decide? I'm so confused.



I was using McAfee for a long time, Then I tried out AVAST on a free-trial, but was not sure it was what I needed on Mac. Upselling was annoying. Had some difficulty removing it. Now I keep getting notices from unknown sources that I am infected with malware. I have tried to remove all of the antivirus software I have installed in the past. I am not a expert techie so I am overwhelmed and do not know where to go now.

 

[Bot]

Certainly! Choosing the right antivirus/malware software can be quite daunting, especially with the abundance of options available. Here are some recommendations tailored for Mac users, along with some key points to consider:

Recommended Antivirus/Malware Software for Mac​

1. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
   • Pros: Excellent malware detection rates, minimal impact on system performance, easy-to-use interface.
   • Cons: Premium features come with a higher cost.
   • Website: Bitdefender
2. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac
   • Pros: Strong malware detection, minimal impact on performance, includes privacy tools.
   • Cons: Kaspersky has faced some controversy; however, it remains a highly effective tool.
   • Website: Kaspersky
3. Malwarebytes for Mac
   • Pros: Excellent at detecting and removing adware and malware, lightweight and fast.
   • Cons: Free version only offers on-demand scanning; real-time protection requires premium upgrade.
   • Website: Malwarebytes

Tips for Choosing and Using Antivirus Software​

1. Assess Your Needs: Determine whether you need comprehensive internet security with additional features (e.g., VPN, parental controls) or just basic malware protection.
2. Ease of Use: Look for software with a user-friendly interface, especially if you're not a tech expert.
3. Performance Impact: Ensure the software doesn’t significantly slow down your Mac.
4. Customer Support: Check if the vendor offers reliable customer support in case you run into issues.
5. Avoid Upselling: Some software, like AVAST, is known for aggressive upselling. Look for reviews mentioning this to avoid frustration.

Additional Steps​

1. Uninstall Previous Antivirus Software: Ensure all remnants of previous antivirus programs are removed to prevent conflicts. Most antivirus vendors offer dedicated uninstall tools on their websites.
   • For AVAST, you can use their uninstall tool for complete removal.
2. Stay Updated: Keep your macOS and antivirus software up to date to protect against the latest threats.
3. Be Wary of Fake Alerts: Notices from unknown sources claiming your device is infected are often scams. Only trust alerts from your installed antivirus software.

By considering these factors and reviewing the recommended options, you should be able to find an antivirus/malware solution that fits your needs and provides peace of mind.

 

[Ink]

Now I keep getting notices from unknown sources that I am infected with malware. I have tried to remove all of the antivirus software I have installed in the past. I am not a expert techie so I am overwhelmed and do not know where to go now.

Can you share more details about your Mac and installed apps? A screenshot to help us understand the problem. It could be Adware notifications via the Browser.

If you suspect your PC is infected, visit Mac Malware Removal Help & Support

 

[EstrellaRhodes]

I'd recommend checking out Malwarebytes. It's lightweight, practical, and doesn't bombard you with upsells. Another good option is Bitdefender, which consistently gets high marks for Mac protection. If you're still getting notices about malware, make sure those aren't scams trying to trick you into downloading something malicious.

 

[RoboMan]

I've installed AVG Free in my mother's Macbook and so far she's had no issues whatsover. No slowdowns, no malware, no problems at all. Given the fact you won't encounter as many malware as in Windows, I believe a free option like this one is a good choice.

 

[lokamoka820]

To be honest, I never felt the need to use antivirus software for Mac or Linux, not because they can't get infected, but because they rarely get targeted by hackers, try to harden your browsers with good ad blocker/security extensions to avoid phishing and info stellar, and you will be good, and please remember to stay safe, not paranoid.

 

[MacDefender]

Macs really don't need antimalware, mostly because their default configuration is very similar if not superior to what Windows folks set up using ConfigureDefender -- the OS is read-only, secure booted, and applications signed or notarized by Apple are the only ones allowed to run. Unless you've lowered any of these built-in defenses, it is extremely unlikely for you to get malware, especially malware that doesn't get auto-removed when the OS's protected malware removal tool runs itself periodically. Apple seems to feel rather invincible from being sued when it comes to blocking PUAs that they deem harmful.

MalwareBytes is probably the best scanner in terms of having a good database of in-the-wild Mac PUAs.

Where are your "notifications" coming from? Most of these infection notices are pop-up ads and scam emails that are trying to fool you into paying for something you don't need, they aren't a sign that your machine is infected.

 

[lokamoka820]

MalwareBytes is probably the best scanner in terms of having a good database of in-the-wild Mac PUAs.

Is it better than Bitdefender for Mac?

 

[MacDefender]

Is it better than Bitdefender for Mac?

I don't know if it's better, other than I like that MalwareBytes is easier to use as just an on-demand scanner. The sad (or good?) thing is right now there's really very few samples for in-the-wild macOS malware to even test two products.

If your goal is to occasionally sweep a Mac for malware like the way you'd use NPE or HMP on a PC, I'd still go with MalwareBytes. But if you want an antimalware that has decent cross-detection of Windows and Linux malware, go for BitDefender.

Personally when I tried to use BitDefender's product, it was pretty intrusive, insisting on installing network filtering and system extensions.

 

[lokamoka820]

If your goal is to occasionally sweep a Mac for malware like the way you'd use NPE or HMP on a PC, I'd still go with MalwareBytes.

This is exactly what I'm asking about, thanks for the clarification.

 

[kailyn]

OP ran away on May 29th.