Free antivirus for Mac OS. Comparison of antiviruses for Mac OS X

04.10.2023

Browsers

There is an opinion that Mac OS users are not afraid of any malware and do not need an antivirus on a Mac. In part, it has a logical basis, because for every 10 Macintosh owners there are about a hundred PC owners, and in Russia even fewer. That is, it is much more profitable for hackers to create viruses for the Windows system than to bother the owners of Apple products.

Therefore, for information, it is generally accepted that a virus is malware that has the ability to replicate and spread using an application: it is the launch of an application that allows it to be copied and distributed. On the other hand, a worm spreads "offline" even if the application can serve " channel."

What is a Trojan horse?

On the other hand, as mentioned above, there are other types of malware, such as Trojan horses, which are not so rare and can pose a real risk. Trojan horses get their name from Greek mythology, in which the city of Troy was invaded by soldiers hidden in a giant wooden horse. A computer Trojan is a legitimate looking program, sometimes even intended to keep you safe, but containing code designed to perform actions without your knowledge.

On the other hand, the fact of the existence of “worms” that change the properties of Apple operating systems was established more than 30 years ago. And although their numbers remain relatively low, attackers are increasingly targeting Mac computers. This raises the question: “Do people using equipment from Steve Jobs’ company need an antivirus on Mac?”

But the risk is not limited to buying unnecessary software: fraud using banking information has also been reported when the criminals were arrested. This time the disguise is no longer a file. This will identify the hidden application. This is what we sometimes read, on forums in particular, but it is not true.

Do you really want to open it? But this sentence can be largely confusing if you don't read. But even if it has the merits of the existing one, it is still a very basic security feature. Additionally, it is important to note that the quarantine feature only works for downloads. For any other application, or if you are copying files from external media, they will leave the control. If you are not 100% sure of the “cleanliness” of external media, it is always wise to scan with a good antivirus.

Official position

Apple management has argued and continues to argue that Macintosh owners should not be afraid of viruses. On the company's official website you can find only cautious hints about the presence of weaknesses in its system. Representatives of this corporation believe that to protect their computer from viruses it is enough:

Update Mac OS X regularly;
Ignore suspicious sites;
Do not download programs of unknown origin;
Select the correct operating system security settings.

Precedents

Until 2011, Macintosh owners felt absolutely safe. Incidents involving computers infected by Apple were so rare that they were practically ignored. However, in the 2010s, the situation began to change. The first alarming signal for fans of the Apple brand was the appearance of a web worm called MacDefender.

For those interested, this list of definitions is in the file. If you try to open one of the files listed in this list, you will receive a message like. Please be aware that some applications, especially but not limited to peer-to-peer applications, may not support quarantine functionality. Perhaps test the application by downloading a secure source file. If you don't receive a warning that the file is coming from an online download, then the app you used to download it doesn't support quarantine features.

This program created pop-up windows that informed users that their equipment was infected. She also informed Mac OS owners about the existence of a universal application that could “clean up their computer.” Its downloading led to very disastrous results - the malware received information about the victims’ credit cards and transferred it to third parties. According to the most conservative estimates, 20-30 thousand people have suffered from this virus.

Unfortunately, we had to change our minds. Very few are efficient, easy to use and resource intensive. So does he need an antivirus or not? What is the default protection level? We all know people who have had unprotected poppies for years without any obvious problems.

Another alarming phenomenon is that the number of phishing attempts is increasing and this is what scares me the most. Those who fill out these false forms do not realize that their data is being extracted by a “pirate” who will try to get as much money as possible. Even if no French-speaking country is included in the list of most targeted countries, one must take into account the fact that this phenomenon is greatly increasing.

In 2012, two powerful Trojans were created at once - SabPub and Flashback. These malware infected the computers of users who used Java programs and visited infected sites. Having penetrated a Macintosh device, they took control of it, initiating file downloads, visiting websites and carrying out various operations without the user’s knowledge. Between 500 and 700 thousand people became victims of these Trojans.

For non-professional use at home, the risk - although well present - is minimal and there is no need to install an antivirus. Finally, for those who like free software or want zero risk, antivirus is the solution. This is to measure which antivirus affected the least CPU resources.

The ability to recognize known threats was also tested. It is still working to date and has not yet fallen victim to malware. In my opinion, this is a simplification of a rather complex problem. Indeed, as with any computer system, there are flaws in nature: although they are basically Trojans and require the user to install them incorrectly, it is good to be aware of this threat.

In subsequent years, the process of creating web worms not only did not stop, but also gained new momentum. From 2010 to 2014, 180 malicious programs for Mac OS X were identified. Well, in 2015, the number of detected viruses created for this operating system exceeded 9 hundred.

But this is still more than 182 times less than infection precedents under the Windows operating system. And most of these Trojans used social engineering methods, rather than actual holes in the system. Therefore, if you remain vigilant, it is very unlikely that you will get a virus on your Mac.

It's also worth noting that the end user is always the weakest link. Simply put, because all the data points to it. Why is it worth studying? It all depends on your type of use and how you search online!

Having a good password, we are not afraid of anything

This is an approach that may not be necessary, but if you have a lot to lose, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. My presentation. This gives you the latest and most secure version at all times. And if the application has any problems, it can be removed with great reactivity. Initial encryption is fast and discreet. The most secure passwords include a large number of characters, use lowercase and uppercase letters, punctuation marks and numbers. Sometimes it becomes tedious to create a different strong password for each site.

Today, the most popular antiviruses among Macintosh owners are the following programs:

Kaspersky Security
Norton AntiVirus 12
Dr. Web
Avast
Bitdefender Antivirus
ESET NOD32 Cyber Security
Avira

Some of them can be downloaded for free, while others cost a lot of money. In general, each of the above programs enhances your computer's protection while reducing its performance.

Sandboxing, a technology that isolates malicious code

It can also automatically fill in your credit card information when you make online purchases.

Scam sites didn't thank him

Obviously, harmless files downloaded from the Internet can hide malware. It's up to you whether you want to open it or not. Here are some possible preventive actions. You are confident that your print is unique. Set up secure file sharing. . Unfortunately, the growth of the Cupertino firm is what it is, and it is no longer the case. The threats are now also real to their exploitation system.

Alternative Mac OS Security

Owners of Apple computers can significantly increase the protection of their device by using:

Firewall - running this application will protect your Macintosh from most threats;
Gatekeeper – this setting regulates the launch of all programs downloaded from the Internet. It can be found on the “General” tab, in the “Protection and Security” section;
An ordinary user account – using the computer in this mode minimizes the consequences of possible Trojan infection;
Administrator password – by confirming all important operations with a set of characters, the computer owner strengthens control over the processes occurring in his device.

And other Mac OS services.

With this in mind, publishers are beginning to rethink their strategies. In fact, you will have 6 analysis modes. Also consider installing an internet browser extension that allows you to display the confidence level of websites you visit. A virus is software developed by man for malicious use. To do this, the virus must enter your computer and install it on its own.

You believe that the site is valid and safe when it is not. Consider installing an antivirus if you surf the Internet or exchange files, it's a matter of common sense. And, of course, always pay attention to the origin of the files and emails that you open, as a rule, they are never opened by simple curiosity.

Summing up

The era of absolute security in the Apple world has long come to an end. However, Macintosh computers have much better security systems than standard PCs. Therefore, people who download files only from the App Store and do not visit dubious sites can sleep peacefully. For everyone else, it is recommended that you install a proven antivirus on your Mac, or at least carefully configure your Mac OS security systems.

Technology evolves quickly, just like viruses, and cybercriminals follow everything closely. Do not doubt! Some devices that are more susceptible to attack have extensive protection available through local protection and private line.

This means that you will need your router's administrator credentials to access its settings. Our list of unsupported routers. Your message is encrypted and scanned to block threats. Local protection is available for devices that are more likely to be attacked by malware or other types of attacks. Local protection blocks malware on your devices, detects suspicious apps and services, and protects your files against unauthorized access and tampering.

Viruses are a very big threat to computers, including Macs. Do you need to install an antivirus on your Mac to stay protected?

This is the question we get asked most often. With the popularity of Mac computers on the rise and security stories making headlines. Mac owners are increasingly concerned about security.

Make a good password

All devices will be protected regardless of their operating system. A complete list of identified incompatible routers is available. The most secure passwords are long and contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, punctuation marks and numbers. If an application is tampered with dangerous software, the sandbox will automatically block it to protect your computer and your information. The address space layout ranking feature changes the memory zones in which different parts of the application are stored.

Mac is not a computer on which you can become infected with a virus like Windows. But this does not mean that you are completely safe. Mac computers can only become infected with a virus when users start installing unauthorized applications from the Internet.

Anti-Phishing protects you from fraudulent websites

This technique makes it unlikely that an attacker will be able to find and rearrange parts of the application to tamper with it and turn it into a malicious program. Phishing is a type of online scam. Even the most innocent files downloaded from the Internet can contain harmful malware.

At this point, you make a message on the computer screen, so anyone who finds it will know how to get it back. Here are just a few of the recommended operations. Set up secure file sharing. . How many times have you heard this statement? Fresh off the heels of last week's discovery, it's worth finding out what type of malware is that encrypts files on your computer and asks for a Bitcoin ransom to release a key that will make them readable.

BitDefender is one of the commercial antivirus programs that runs on Mac. There are other options, such as Intego Mac Internet Security or Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac.

But you can get protection for your Mac without spending a lot of money. For example, the free app CalmXav (which asks you to donate if you think it does its job well) also removes viruses from your computer. There is also a free antivirus called AdwareMedic, which will also ask you for donations, just like ClamXav. To avoid infecting your computer with a virus, we recommend downloading applications from trusted sources such as the Mac App Store.

It's pretty much an experience, for sure. There were other situations that helped undermine the myth of a secure platform, for example, but it did not pave the way for any mass infection. In short, more users are more interested in malware developers.

They do not exploit system vulnerabilities, as well as those of other connected systems, or point out the real weakness of the IT network: the user. That's why, even before an antivirus program, they need simple and general considerations to avoid - or deal with the cause of - the most risky operations.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your Mac’s security system (Gatekeeper) is turned on. This will reduce the chances of running unauthorized applications that cause the most problems.

So do you need an antivirus for Mac?

It depends on how you use your computer. For those people who rely on Gatekeeper and download applications from the Mac App Store, antivirus is not needed. But if you download applications from an unknown source and then see that your computer behaves strangely and opens some third-party sites. Then you should think about safety.

The first tip is simple: always think twice before entering the administrator password when the computer asks you. If you are installing the software from a safe source there will be no problem, otherwise you are trying to figure out which process is requesting it. And if the previous sentence is not immediately clear, then you should avoid inserting it. Likewise, it's always a good idea to not install apps without a digital signature from an accredited developer.

Finally, if you're torrenting, do it even more. So what's the answer to the old question? The answer is yes, but only if it is assumed that computer security is always a relative concept. So the platform may be more secure based on the likelihood of infection, but it will never be 100 percent secure.

As the proverb says, forewarned is forearmed.

Many MacBook owners are accustomed to not paying attention to the possible infection of their computer with viruses, although the likelihood of this is quite high. Only a small percentage of Macintosh users really care about whether they need an antivirus on their Mac, due to the belief that hackers rarely pay attention to this operating system, looking towards the much more popular Windows. After all, a relatively small percentage of people use MacBooks for work and entertainment.

But this does not mean that the hacker threat has bypassed Mac OS. From time to time, some problems arise with it, so you can’t do without an up-to-date and effective antivirus. Not every antivirus for Mac can reliably and comprehensively protect against infection. The choice of a defender must be based on the purpose for which the computer is used. You need to regularly monitor your antivirus ratings.

BitDefender Antivirus

This antivirus is considered one of the most powerful, as it is able to easily detect and stop all common attacks. This program uses proven security algorithms recognized by well-known companies Checkmark, ICSA Labs, TUV, Virus Bulletin and Checkvir.

BitDefender is also used to detect and monitor spyware activity. It allows:

The most important feature of BitDefender Antivirus is its ability to protect the owner's computer from phishing. It is as follows:

Control of visited sites.
Significantly reducing the risk of confidential information from the owner’s computer falling into the hands of fraudsters (passwords, bank details, bank card details, etc.).

This antivirus for Mac works according to the “install and forget” scheme beloved by many users. And the ability to automatically update when accessing the Internet rightly allows us to consider this program one of the best for protecting Mac OS.

Avast

The action of this anti-virus program is aimed primarily at finding and neutralizing viruses that have already leaked into the computer. The search is carried out not only on the machine’s hard drive, but also in its memory, boot sectors and letters received by e-mail. At the same time, suspicious scripts are blocked. The virus database is regularly updated and can be downloaded via the Internet.

Avast is intuitive, as it has a simple interface with support for various skins. The program is available as a free Mac antivirus (Home Edition for private use), and in a professional modification designed to protect computers of companies and enterprises (Professional Edition).

Kaspersky Internet Security

Kaspersky Anti-Virus is considered a comprehensive solution to the problem of viruses in the Mac operating system. It is able to protect your computer from all potential threats and guarantees the security of every transaction made on the Internet.

When creating this program, the latest technologies were used, which have proven their reliability and effectiveness in protecting against Trojans, viruses, bots, etc. Even little-known virus programs, recognized by their specific behavior in the operating system, cannot hide from modern heuristic technologies.

Antivirus for Mac OS Kaspersky Internet Security has the following features:

Constant availability of up-to-date malware databases, regularly updated via the Kaspersky Security Network cloud service.
Advanced anti-phishing technologies.
The presence of a link module that provides the owner with data on the reputation of each site. The information is displayed on a special indicator located near the link in the search engines of popular browsers.
A virtual keyboard that allows you to enter confidential data, which is especially important when conducting financial transactions via the Internet.
The presence of a parental control module, with which you can set temporary restrictions on access to the Internet, create a list of sites you do not want to visit, monitor and limit correspondence on social networks, and control the downloading of files.
High performance with extremely low processor load, not exceeding 1% of its resources.

Dr.Web CureIt

This is perhaps the best antivirus for Mac, allowing you to quickly scan and effectively treat your computer without installing Dr.Web. The program is updated twice an hour to the latest version of the virus database.

With its help you can identify and remove:

mail and network worms;
file viruses and Trojans;
polymorphic, disembodied virus programs;
stealth and macro viruses;
viruses that infect MS Office documents;
various spyware;
dialer programs and programs that steal passwords;
spyware, adware, and third-party software potentially dangerous to the computer and data stored on it;
hacker utilities;
joke programs and trapdoor programs;
malicious scripts and other codes that pose a threat.

VirusTotalUploader

This free antivirus for Mac is primarily designed to search and scan suspicious files for viruses and other malicious codes. Using this program, the user can send a file that seems suspicious to him from his MacBook to a server on which it will be scanned by fifty different anti-virus products. There is only a limit on file size - no more than 50 MB.

After scanning, the antivirus will provide the user with information about the number of viruses detected and show a link to the VirusTotal service website for detailed information on the results of the scan.

Norton AntiVirus

This popular antivirus program has five levels of protection, through which you can quickly and efficiently detect and neutralize spyware. The main purpose of Norton AntiVirus is to provide the MacBook owner with secure work and data exchange on the Internet.

The main distinctive features of the program include:

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011

The antivirus rating cannot be called complete without the presence in it of another brainchild of Kaspersky Lab, capable of maximizing data security. The antivirus constantly scans files and email attachments downloaded from the global network, which ensures that malware is neutralized before it can reach your MacBook.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus also conducts a deep scan of the system to search for and remove malicious files.

The program provides:

protection against worms, Trojans and viruses;
reliable protection against adware and spyware;
thorough checking of files downloaded from the network, incoming mail, Internet traffic in real time;
protection against viruses when working with instant messaging services;
protection from any type;
prompt detection and blocking of rootkits;
automatic updating of the virus database.

ProtectMac AntiVirus

The program seems to “sit” in memory and vigilantly monitors all processes and operations carried out on the MacBook. If a virus is detected that infects the computer, it is immediately blocked, and the program notifies the user about this.

Zebra scanner

This is one of the best scanners that detects viruses. The program even detects Trojans masquerading as music and graphic files, videos or folders. Extensions of files to be scanned can be specified manually by the user.

Virex

This antivirus scans your hard drive looking for Trojans, viruses and malicious codes, looking at every drive, folder and file. It is also possible to individually check any element that seems suspicious to the user. It is also possible to configure the start time of the automatic scan, after which detailed information will be provided indicating the detected problems.

Using the above programs, you can be completely confident in the reliable protection of your MacBook. Which antivirus to choose for Mac depends on the characteristics of the device and the tasks assigned to it. Despite the low popularity of this operating system among hackers, protection is necessary to effectively use the MacBook without the risk of infection and subsequent troubleshooting in service centers or on your own.

Viruses are a very big threat to computers, including Macs. Do you need to install an antivirus on your Mac to stay protected?

This is the question we get asked most often. With the popularity of Mac computers on the rise and security stories making headlines. Mac owners are increasingly concerned about security.

BitDefender is one of the commercial antivirus programs that runs on Mac. There are other options, such as Intego Mac Internet Security or Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your Mac’s security system (Gatekeeper) is turned on. This will reduce the chances of running unauthorized applications that cause the most problems.