One thing I can check, though, is whether each Mac antivirus product detects and removes Windows malware. I don’t have the resources or expertise to collect and analyze malware aimed at macOS, not the way I do on Windows. Avast completed that scan in 21 minutes, speedier than the current average of 27 minutes.

While that’s not the absolute maximum, it’s enough to earn Avast the designation “Top Product.” Bitdefender also scores 17.5 with this lab, while Norton and Trend Micro reach a perfect 18.Īfter the obligatory initial smart scan, I dug into the Scan Center and selected a comprehensive Deep Scan.

Avast takes six points for Protection and Usability in the latest tests, and 5.5 for Performance, yielding a total of 17.5. In reports from AV-Test Institute, products can earn six points each for Protection, Performance, and Usability (that last category refers to minimizing occasions when the product identifies a good app or website as bad). Two of the four labs that I follow for Windows antivirus results also publish reports for Mac antivirus, and Avast scored very well with both. Since I don’t have the resources to put macOS antivirus utilities to the test with real-world malware, any available lab results are like gold for me. Intego works on 10.9 (Mavericks) or higher, while ProtectWorks goes all the way back to 10.8 (Mountain Lion). Kaspersky wants 10.14 (Mojave), and Avira requires 10.15 (Catalina).Īt the relaxed end of the spectrum, a few antivirus tools still support ancient macOS versions for those who can’t (or won’t) upgrade. Other Mac antivirus tools need an even newer OS version.

Most Mac owners keep the OS up to date, so that shouldn’t be a problem. To install this free product your Mac must run macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later. This is your go-to page when you have a specific task or feature in mind. It organizes the features into three groups: Device Protection, Smooth Performance, and Online Privacy. For example, right after installation it exhorts you to run your first Smart Scan.Ĭlicking Explore in the simple menu at left brings up a page that gives you access to all the program’s features. Rather, it devotes the home page to a topic that needs your attention. It’s quite a change.Īlso as on Windows, Avast doesn’t use the home page to display security status or let you launch a scan. Where space permits, the line drawings include happy people. Instead of the previous dark background, it’s light and airy, with rounded buttons and whimsical line drawings daubed with pastel colors. Just as on Windows, this new product looks very different from existing Avast products. Note that once that merger is complete, Norton will own Avast, Avira, AVG, and BullGuard. There’s no visible connection between the release of this new product line and the pending merger of Avast with NortonLifeLock.

Best Hosted Endpoint Protection and Security Software.

Avast mac cleaner and security