Long gone are the days when Mac users were said to be secure from malware. According to a 2020 report by Malwarebytes, there was a 400 percent increase in Mac devices’ threats from 2018 to 2019. On top of that, the security company found an average of 11 threats per Mac devices, which is about twice the 5.8 average on Windows.
One of the biggest contributors to this is the fact that Antivirus systems are often associated with Windows users. Further, malware can often bypass Apple’s Xprotect, leading to adware, scareware, and other potentially unwanted programs.
To protect their devices, Mac users need to use a top antivirus program. These programs significantly raise the level of protection on a machine, and others provide extra advanced features such as a firewall or a VPN. In this guide, we have rounded up the best antivirus programs for Mac in 2021.
This antivirus engine runs on the cloud, and it uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect and block threats before they can cause any damage.
One of Bitdefender’s best features is Time Machine back up protection. This feature allows you to roll back your machine in case of a ransomware attack to prevent file loss. There’s also an extension that protects you while using the internet. This addon blocks third-party trackers from following you from one site to another.
Once you install and login to Bitdefender, you will also be given access to a VPN for additional security. The free version of the VPN is limited to 200 MB per day. This is barely enough, but it can be useful for light browsing, especially when using a public hotspot.
Overall, Bitdefender performs exceptionally well, although the company can cut down on upselling to improve customer experience.
Pros
- Excellent malware detection
- Light & easy to use client
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Free VPN
Cons
- Product upsells
- First full scan takes long
2.     Intego Mac Internet Security X9
Intego’s antivirus software is known as Virus Barrier, and it is only available for macOS. The program is highly rated because of its excellent detection rates, and it’s often referred to as the fastest antivirus for Mac.
VirusBarrier comes bundled with NetBarrier, which is Intego’s smart firewall, in a suite known as Mac Internet Security X9. This firewall is quite advanced compared to Mac’s inbuilt firewall, and it automatically changes your settings depending on whether you are at home, work, or using a public connection.
To unlock more features and functionalities, users can upgrade to Mac Premium Bundle X9. This unlocks Content Barrier which offers parental controls, Washing Machine which organizes and manages files, and Personal Backup which operates like Time Machine.
Overall, Intego offers lots of features, although it may be highly priced for users who are just looking for a Mac Antivirus program.
Pros
- Super-fast scanning
- Bundled Firewall
- Several advanced features
- Real-time protection
- Can scan iOS devices
Cons
- Highly priced
3.     Avast Free Antivirus for Mac
If you are looking for a free antivirus for Mac, Avira is your best option. The antivirus offers really good protection by scanning your system and identifying any potentially harmful files or software.
The VPN comes with a great browser extension that lets users prevent phishing and tracking, and interestingly, it can also help you find the best shopping deals. There’s also a free VPN that gives users 500 MB of data per month.
You can upgrade to Prime and remove the VPN limit as well as get advanced features such as optimization and cleaning tools. The downside of Avira is that they were reportedly involved in a data selling scandal, but they have since improved their operations and updated their privacy policies.
Pros
- Free Antivirus
- Free VPN
- Real-time protection
- Password manager
- Junk remover
Cons
- Can be heavy on the device
- Murky past on selling data
Using any of the above, you can protect your Mac from viruses, spyware, adware, and other malicious programs. All the suggested antivirus systems run advanced and frequently updated security databases, which significantly improves Mac’s default security.
