7 Best Antivirus for Mac Reviews in 2023 | Top Protection For Your Apple Computer

There is a common misconception that Macs are incapable of getting infected with malware. This simply isn’t true. Various tests have proved otherwise. It is believed by some sources that Windows is now the safer option of the two, especially if you have comprehensive internet security tools! So. yeah, you need the best antivirus for Mac at all costs.

I was given the task of researching and reviewing the top-performing software for protecting your Mac, and I can’t wait to share the results with you. From my tests, these are your best bet for keeping your Mac safe and secure whether you need the best virus scanner for businesses, network security, or an antivirus that comes with a VPN as a reinforcement. I covered antivirus software for gamers separately due to their unique needs, and you can check out mobile phone antiviruses here, as well.

Antivirus for Mac - Which Software to Go For

The need for Mac security is at an all-time high. While it’s true that newer versions of macOS have increased internet security in many ways, all of our tests show that it’s still vulnerable to threats and attacks.

And perhaps a large part of the need for Mac antivirus is due to so many users maintaining a false sense of security. You don’t want to be caught with your guard down, no matter how steadfast you are in your belief that your Mac is invincible.

I have been the unfortunate victim of malware on my Mac – even while running the latest Catalina OS. Anyone familiar with this platform knows that it features some of the best antivirus for Mac seen to date.

Its internet security has been thoroughly upgraded, offering amazing protection in its own right. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be beaten by crafty malware, because it happens on a regular basis.

And hey, I get it. Apple products aren’t exactly known for being affordable. You figure with the small mint that you dropped on your Mac that you shouldn’t have to pay for additional security.

Fortunately, some of the top free antivirus software provides incredible protection without the added expense. If you prefer to go the free route in protecting your Mac, I’ve included a couple that is sure to impress you.

If you can reason paying for antivirus software for Mac, you will find that the ones I reviewed here are reasonably priced. Most of them are on par with anything you would find for Windows.

But before we explore the best options for protecting your Mac, let’s first discuss what you should be looking for in the best antivirus software for Mac. With the proper insight, you will be sure to end up with an antivirus that fulfills your needs.

Best Antivirus for Mac Reviews 

Do Macs need Mac antivirus software?

Many Mac enthusiasts will claim that Apple machines are already safe and don't need to be protected. We would contend that they are mistaken—or, at the very least, overconfident.

A short while ago, the Silver Sparrow malware was discovered on Macs with M1 processors, infecting a large number of Macs. Therefore, the bad guys continue to target Mac users and they are becoming more intelligent and avaricious. As a result, you cannot afford to neglect the importance of cyber security. If you want to keep safe, a solid Mac antivirus program is a great place to start.

For two reasons, Macs are in general more secure than their Windows cousins. MacOS is an operating system that is based on Unix. MacOS is sandboxed because it is a Unix-based operating system.

If your Mac has sandboxing, it is like having a set of fire doors: even if malware gets inside, it cannot spread to other parts of the computer. Although they are harder to hack than Windows PCs, Macs can nevertheless be compromised.

Our Mac security guidelines provide more general guidance, and users who have experienced malware attacks should try learning how to remove a virus from a Mac.

What to Look for in Antivirus Software

Lab certification (more on that in a moment) is a big deal. It tells you that you are investing in a product that scored well in virus protection. 

And depending on your needs, you might want to go for a program that includes specific bonus features. If you’re keen on improved firewall capabilities or VPNs, for example, you will need to research each antivirus to make sure that it comes with the features you need.

If firewall security is what you’re after, I have included antivirus software that bundles that in for your convenience. 

Parents are always on the lookout for ways to improve internet security for their children, and rightfully so. We live in an age where it’s nearly impossible to block all trash from coming into contact with our kids. 

With parental controls, it’s easier than ever to get a lock on what your children are viewing online. And while many popular cross-platform security suites include this component, many of them have limited Mac support.

That’s why I included anti virus for Mac that comes with robust parental controls for keeping your kids safe. With the right program, you can prevent your kids from accessing specific websites and limit their time on the internet. 

You also need to be mindful of spyware, as it can lead to a whole host of invasive problems, from logging your keystrokes to snooping on you through your own webcam. We covered reliable anti spyware here.

Ransomware is equally problematic, although in a completely different way. If you’re hit with one of these attacks, you stand to lose a great deal of money and resources. 

To ensure that you are investing in the best Mac antivirus for your needs, I have notated what features are included with each review in their accompanying specifications box. This will make it easier to pinpoint key additions for protecting yourself.

How We Tested

Making sure that the best antivirus for Mac lives up to its expectations is a big deal. We first have to acquire live malware that is commonly found in infected Macs. Once sufficient infections are found, we use them in a system that is quarantined from all other connections.

One by one, each antivirus is tested against the infections. We then log the success rates of each program and rank them accordingly. 

Lastly, we factor in the results from independent lab tests with our own. The end results are what you see in the reviews below. It’s important to note that not all antivirus may have high lab scores.

While it’s true that some antivirus programs perform better than others or focus on different areas, it is our belief that you will get the best mileage out of the ones we included. 

As always, our goal is to ensure that you end up investing in the best antivirus software for your Mac.

Malware Protection Lab Certifications

Like anything important that you buy, you are likely to do a great deal of research prior to investing in it. This is especially true when looking for a car, appliance, computer, smartphone, and so on. 

But as you know, user reviews aren’t always reliable. You need independent testing to ensure that what you are purchasing is worthy of your time and money. It’s why so many people subscribe to Consumer Reports. 

They know that what they are reading is their best bet for getting the straight story on any given product. Well, think of virus lab certifications as the Consumer Reports of the antivirus community.

If you buy a lab-certified antivirus program, you can be sure that you are investing in the best malware removal for Mac. But that’s not to say that an antivirus without lab certification isn’t worth a look, either.

There are plenty of antiviruses that don’t have this distinction, yet they still perform well enough to ensure the safety of your Mac.

Hands-On Phishing Protection Testing

Ah yes, phishing. The one antivirus test that doesn’t focus on any single operating system. This is because any OS can be at the center of a phishing scam. 

To those unaware, phishing scams often work by imitating a legitimate website in an attempt to obtain your login credentials. It could be anything from Facebook to your online bank account.

If you have a good virus scan for Mac, these phishing scams are usually defeated quite easily. You will either be blocked from accessing a malicious website or you will be alerted when something smells funny.

To ensure that our testing parameters are up to snuff, we make sure to look for potential threats that aren’t specific to any one platform. This gives us a wider search base to find these types of scams.

If this is something that you are particularly concerned about, you will need to make sure that you are investing in an antivirus that included phishing protection. It’s not something that all software features, so be on the lookout.

Ransomware Protection

We know that Windows users are more vulnerable to ransomware attacks. But that’s not to say that Mac users are in the clear, either. 

We found that some antivirus programs handled these threats better than others. In fact, a few of them include additional components that focus on ransomware.

Trend Micro’s Antivirus for Mac and Bitdefender Mac both work really well in preventing ransomware attacks. You can look forward to getting protection against unauthorized access to certain files.

The multilayered ransomware protection is a must-have if you’re interested in keeping your protected documents safe and out of the hands of cyber-thieves. 

Spyware Protection

As I touched on earlier, spyware has the ability to access your webcam to watch your activity first-hand. It’s why Mark Zuckerberg himself keeps his webcam taped over. This is a real threat that you have to be aware of.

If you have children, you need to be especially cautious of said attacks on your privacy. There are some real weirdos out there who would love nothing more than to spy on your kids.

But with the right protection in place, you can effectively fight against such violations. It’s a shame that’s what this world has come to – watching your family through tiny cameras embedded in your computer – but it’s where we are in society at present.

As such, you need to arm yourself with the right defenses. In our tests, Sophos Home offered the best protection against these kinds of threats. It lets you know if an outside source has accessed your webcam or microphone (yes, they try to listen in, too). 

From there, you can block the use of these utilities to ensure that you aren’t being spied on. Whether you have children or not, this feature might be something you want to look into.

Privacy Concerns

Unfortunately, new threats are popping up all the time. Staying on top of them can be a full-time job if you aren’t adequately protected. That’s why your Mac virus scan needs to be capable of sniffing out these new threats for you.

When you buy a top-rated antivirus, you’re investing in a lot more than just virus protection. You are arming yourself with a product that keeps you one step ahead of the bad guys.

Your personal data is always going to be at risk. And if you own a small business, your customer’s data is at risk, too. It is therefore imperative that you do all that you can to keep yourself safe. 

These cyber-punks will do all that they can to score a free payday. Research each antivirus to ensure that your private information remains safe, secure, and out of the hands of these would-be criminals.

Mac Antivirus Bonus Features

Many antivirus programs for Windows come with a ton of extra capabilities, like VPNs and tune-up tools. Although Norton currently comes with a VPN that has no bandwidth restrictions, this behavior seems to be less typical on the macOS side. However, some manufacturers choose to offer a comprehensive security suite as the fundamental level of protection rather than a separate Mac antivirus, while a few others include suite-like extra features in the basic antivirus.

A standard personal firewall component maintains network permissions for programs installed on your Mac as well as stops internet threats. Kaspersky's Network Protection comes close to a firewall, whereas Intego, McAfee, and Norton all have one.

Another element of a common suite is parental control. A content filter can prevent access to websites that fit undesirable categories with Sophos and Trend Micro. With content filtering, screen time restrictions, and control over used apps, Kaspersky goes above and beyond. All of the features of the robust Kaspersky Safe Kids are unlocked for an extra $14.99 per year.

FAQs:

1. What is the best antivirus for MAC?

Here are the Top Antivirus for Mac that we recommend.

1. McAfee AntiVirus Plus (for Mac) - Once again, McAfee impresses with a wealth of protective features and services. One of the best additions I like is McAfee’s remote malware removal. If malware happens to slip past McAfee’s protection, they have experts who will remove it remotely.

2. Avast Free Mac Security- In what is quite possibly the best free Mac antivirus, Avast Free Mac Security comes with a solid amount of useful features that are sure to serve you well. It offers just about everything you’d find in the free AVG for Mac, but with much better protection.

3. Avira Free Antivirus for Mac - Avira is another handy antivirus utility that won’t cost you a dime. It automatically comes installed with the latest malware detection to ensure that you are protected from new and existing threats.

2. How do I check my Mac for malware?

There are a few ways to check for malware on your Mac. One way is to use the built-in malware removal tool, which you can access by opening Finder and selecting Applications > Utilities > Malware Removal Tool.

Another way to check for malware is to use a third-party antivirus program. There are many free and paid antivirus programs available, and some of them offer malware scanning features.

3. Can Macs get malware?

Yes, Macs are still prone to malware. Apart from traditional viruses, worms, and Trojans, there is now a thriving ecosystem of adware and spyware programs that bombard you with advertisements and monitor your web browsing activity, just as there is on Windows. Macs include some built-in malware protection, but it is not perfect.

4. Will resetting Mac remove virus?

Yes, virus removal may be accomplished by resetting your MAC or PC. If your PC, Mac, iPhone, or Android smartphone becomes infected with a virus, performing a factory reset may help remove it. It does remove viruses and malware, but not always.

5. How do I clean my Mac of viruses?

Here are the steps on how to remove virus from your Mac computer.

1. Navigate to and launch Activity Monitor.
2. Identify and terminate malicious programs on your computer.
3. You can directly drag programs to the Trash from your Applications folder.
4. Select Safari Extensions from the menu bar.
5.Create a new window in your System Preferences.
6. You have complete control over which programs run at startup.

6. Should I put antivirus on a Mac?

In a nutshell, yes, your Mac does require antivirus. Mac computers are susceptible to viruses, and Mac-specific malware and attacks are becoming more common. Utilizing built-in security features and adhering to recommended security procedures will help, but antivirus software can further safeguard your device.

7. Does Apple have built in antivirus?

The highly advanced runtime security features in macOS safeguard your machine from infection at its very core. Modern antivirus software is first integrated to block and delete viruses.