- The Best Mac Antivirus Software 2018 Paid And Free Options Download
- Top 10 Best Free Antivirus Software 2018
- Best Antivirus Software For Mac 2018
- Best Mac Antivirus Software 2020
If you’re looking for free antivirus software for Mac computers, we recommend AVG Antivirus for Mac. The top paid options include Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac - 2020, $30, and Kaspersky. Avast Free Antivirus. Just like its paid options, the free version of Avast Antivirus is the best one for features. In addition to very good protection capabilities, the software comes with a free network security inspector and a password manager.
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And…that’s a wrap! So, did you like our roundup of the best free Antivirus for Mac 2020? Did we miss out on any good Antivirus solutions that you know of? Sound off in the comments. Don’t forget to download these software by clicking through the links.
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The Best Mac Antivirus Software 2018 Paid And Free Options Download
THERE are free ways to protect your computers and mobile devices but the best antivirus suites are those you have to pay for.
This is because they not only offer the highest level of protection from malware, malicious websites and phishing scams, they also bundle in a whole host of extras.
These include password managers, file encryption tools, secure browsers and VPNs.
A good antivirus, for example, could stop hackers from accessing your computer while you are playing games online.
Recently the BBC reported that an 18-year-old from Sheffield discovered they were a victim of hacking when they burnt their fingers on their PC after an unexpected shutdown.
A further analysis then revealed the machine was victim of a crypto-jacking attack, a malicious practice involving the illegal use of someone's computer to mine cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
While it's not clear how the hacker(s) accessed the computer, a valid antivirus might have prevented it.
Best antivirus software deals
Here are some of the best internet security and antivirus deals available at time of writing:
Which paid internet security and antivirus is the best?
Our list of the best antivirus suites has been chosen partly based on a range of test results compiled by AV Test – an independent IT-security group based in Germany, and partly on user reviews.
All the solutions listed below protect Windows and Mac, while some will additionally protect your Android or iOS devices.
1. Bitdefender Total Security 2020
Bitdefender’s internet security suites often appear at the top of the best antivirus lists and for good reason.
They’re easy to install, have effective virus protection, along with easy-to-use interfaces, and are packed with features beyond just antivirus software.
They also come in a range of prices. The best of the bunch this year is Bitdefender Total Security.
It supports Windows 7 through 10, as well as offering protection licences for Mac, Android and iOS, and comes with a whole host of added extras.
These include a file shredder, password manager, secure browser and a VPN, file encryption, parental controls, webcam protection and a two-way firewall.
In tests, ran between February to June last year, the software blocked 99 per cent of threats, falling short on blocking the odd infected or phishing website.
It did, however, manage to block the malware these sites tried to install.
Plus, it does all this while having a minimal impact on the overall performance of the system.
2. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2020
Top 10 Best Free Antivirus Software 2018
If you don’t want all the bells and whistles of Bitdefender’s Total Security package, its Antivirus Plus software offers great value for money with similar features included.
It supports Windows 7 through 10 but doesn’t offer Mac or mobile protection.
It comes with the same file shredder, password manager, secure browser and a VPN, but doesn't have the file encryption, nor the parental controls and webcam protection.
Because it’s part of the same suite of products, the virus-hunting ability is the same.
For the price, this offers a fantastic balance of protection and performance.
3. Norton Security Premium
Offering a similar range of features as Bitdefender, albeit with a little less protection, Norton’s Security Suite is a decent package for a decent price.
Its top-tier Norton Security Premium is the pick of the bunch.
It supports a wider range of operating systems than Bitdefender's suite - from Windows XP thru Windows 10, - and all but the cheapest solution includes bundled protection for Mac, Android and iOS.
All of Norton's Antivirus and Security products offer browser extensions and a password manager but only Norton Security Premium (and the slightly cheaper Deluxe) have a two-way firewall and web management portal.
On top of this, Premium then adds backup software, online storage, and parental controls.
In the same tests as Bitdefender between February and June 2018, Norton’s antivirus software found and resolved 97 per cent of threats, meaning it fell a little short of its rival’s 99 per cent.
Following tests carried out later in the year, however, from September to October, Norton blocked every threat with few false positives.
A nice feature of Norton’s suite is that it will upload suspicious new files to Norton's cloud labs for analysis.
Best Antivirus Software For Mac 2018
This is optional but will help train the software for future threats.
It also protects double the number of devices for only a tenner more than Bitdefender’s Total Security package.
4. Kaspersky Total Security
Performing almost on par with Bitdefender in certain tests (98 per cent), and achieving perfect scores in others, is Kaspersky’s security suite.
It supports Windows 7 through 10 and comes in four flavours: Kaspersky Free, Kaspersky Internet Security, Kaspersky Total Security and Kaspersky Security Cloud.
We’ve chosen Total Security as the best of the bunch.
All offer basic anti-malware for Windows but only Internet Security and Total Security will additionally protect your Mac, Android and iOS while offering a virtual keyboard, anti-spam features, parental controls, a secure browser, two-way firewall, VPN, webcam protection and backup software.
Total Security then bundles in file encryption, a file shredder and password manager.
Features and protection-wise, little separates Total Security from Kaspersky’s new cloud-based offering, but the latter only works when you’re online so could prove limiting.
All products let you pick and choose how many devices, and for how long, you want to be protected, which is a welcome touch not offered by its rivals.
5. Trend Micro
Trend Micro offers three different options when it comes to antivirus solutions.
The most basic one is called Antivirus+ Security and it is for Windows only, but if you are a Microsoft user and are looking for a simple but effective solution, this one's for you.
The program has a user-friendly interface with a few but important functions, including tough real-time defences and Folder Shield, an automated anti-ransomware system. However good though, Antivirus+ Security only offers protection for one device.
The second option from Trend Micro is Internet Security, extending protection to three devices and adding interesting extra features such as social networking protection.
The highest tier package from Trend Micro is called Maximum Security, and in addition to providing internet protection to up to 10 devices, it also introduces versions for Mac, Android and iOS devices.
Trend Micro Maximum Security also features a dedicated password manager and secure file vault.
6. Avast Premium Security
Avast Antivirus is mostly known for its free software. For years the company has been providing one of the best free antivirus options in the world.
However, Avast also offers some interesting paid options.
Supporting Windows, iOS, Android and Mac devices, Avast Premium Security comes in three different flavours, and as you go up with the price, so do your security features.
Generally speaking, Avast Premium Security provides many more scan options than most of its competitors. The scans are fast and accurate too.
Another interesting option included in the paid versions is Avast's Ransomware Shield, allowing users to prevent ransomware or untrusted apps from modifying their system without permission.
Avast Premium Security's other features include a Software Updater that can automatically detect software patches for you, a password manager and even a Sandbox created to run potentially malicious software without endangering user machines.
All in all, Avast Premium Security in an interesting option for those looking at an extremely high number of customisation options. The high price, however, is hard to ignore when looking at equally valid and cheaper alternatives like Bitdefender and Norton.
7. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus
Arguably the lightest antivirus there is, Webroot SecureAnywhere only takes up 15 MB of hard disk space and installs in seconds.
The basic version of the software is available for both Windows and Mac machines, and keeps its memory footprint to a minimum by having its virus definitions stored in the cloud as opposed to most antivirus programs that keep them locally.
With solid malware protection and blazing fast virus scans, it is only a matter of time before Webroot's software starts challenging the big names in the antivirus arena.
Webroot also offers an Internet Security Plus version that expands coverage to mobile devices and adds a password manager provided by LastPass, and an Internet Security Complete option adding to the program extra security features and an automatic backup tool.
Unsure whether you should give Webroot a shot? The company has a 70-day 100% money-back guarantee. What are you waiting for?
Which free internet security and antivirus is the best?
If you are short on cash, however, even the cheaper options in this list may sound prohibitive.
In that case, you'll be wondering, how good is a free antivirus and should you bother installing one?
The short answer is yes. A free antivirus is better than no antivirus at all.
Most free antivirus options offer basic protection, which is good to shield you from at least some online threats.
Down below are the best antivirus options you can download for free.
1. Kaspersky Security Cloud Free
If Kaspersky Total Security is one of the best paid antivirus options you can get, the company's Security Cloud version is hands-down the best free one.
The software offers record-high protection levels against phishing attacks and features solid malware and malicious URL blocking capabilities.
It is available on Windows devices, as well as various mobile devices including Android smartphones and tablets and iPhones and iPads.
2. Avast Free Antivirus
Just like its paid options, the free version of Avast Antivirus is the best one for features.
In addition to very good protection capabilities, the software comes with a free network security inspector and a password manager.
Best Mac Antivirus Software 2020
Like Kaspersky Security Cloud Free, Avast Free Antivirus also includes browser-independent protection against dangerous URLs.
But the extra features don't stop there. Going through each of the program's three security tabs you will find several options like a Wi-Fi Inspector to detect network issues, a Core Shields option to choose core defences a and Virus Chest feature to look at locked up threats.
3. Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition
The free version of this excellent internet security software has all the core features of the paid options.
The main difference with the premium versions is the lack of add-ons and additional malware protection levels, but that is to be expected, since we are talking about a free antivirus.
However, when it comes to virus and malware protection capabilities, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is every bit as valid as Avast or Kaspersky.
Unsure about which option is best for you? Try them all and decide for yourself, they're free!
How do I choose an antivirus?
As shown from the above options, you can choose to get free antivirus software, but the best options will often be premium protectors.
Most of our rankings have been produced using ratings from Germany-based review company, AV-test.
You're in safe hands with any of the options on our list, but you can check out their site for more recommendations.
You can also find some great ratings at Which? Magazine.
Which are the best internet security and antivirus options?
Currently, the top dogs on AV-Test are McAfee and Kapersky, who score top marks across the board for performance, usability and protection.
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This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.