The laboratory experts at AV-TEST examined 12 MacOS solutions for home users and business users in terms of their protection, performance and usability. Many of the packages demonstrated their quality and reliability.
Download free virus protection for Windows PC. Avast offers modern antivirus for today’s complex threats. Fast, simple, and 100% free. Even Macs Need Antivirus Protection. The myth that Macs don’t suffer malware attacks has been. Put to the test: 9 products for home users, 4 solutions for business users. The laboratory of AV-TEST examined a total of 13 products under MacOS Sierra. The first 9 on the list are for home users: Avast Security 12.9 Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac 6.1 Comodo Antivirus 2.2 F-Secure Safe 17.0 Intego Mac Internet Security X9 10.9. This Mac antivirus program is a group of individual programs specifically designed for Mac computers. It includes VirusBarrier, NetBarrier, ContentBarrier, WashingMachine, and Personal Backup, and the VirusBarrier program is the primary antivirus software. Trend Micro includes an impressive list of security features with its Mac solution.
Protection for MacOS12 packages for home and business users put to the test.
The Mac world is more and more in the focus of malware authors. In June 2018, newly-recorded malware for MacOS has already been tallied at 37,000 samples – and thus approaching the entire 2017 level of 43,000 samples. While this represents fewer cases than in the Windows world, the number is in fact 100 times higher than Mac experts predicted even a few years ago.
8 products for home users, 4 solutions for business users
Among the 12 tested security solutions for Mac OS High Sierra are 8 for consumers and 4 for corporate users.
Solutions for home users:
- Avast Security
- Avira Antivirus Pro
- Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac
- F-Secure Safe
- Intego VirusBarrier
- Kaspersky Internet Security
- Symantec Norton Security
- Trend Micro Antivirus
Solutions for business users:
- Bitdefender Endpoint Security for Mac
- McAfee Endpoint Security for Mac
- SentinelOne Next Generation Endpoint Security
- Sophos Central Endpoint
Home and business users have a wide variety of excellent and certified protection software to choose from
' tabindex='0'>Protection for MacOSHome and business users have a wide variety of excellent and certified protection software to choose from
8 out of 12 protection solutions examined detected all malware samples without exception
' tabindex='0'>Protection for MacOS – the detection rates8 out of 12 protection solutions examined detected all malware samples without exception
Flashback was so successful, new variants of it are constantly cropping up
' tabindex='0'>TOP 5 malware for MacOSFlashback was so successful, new variants of it are constantly cropping up
By the end of 2018, the number of new malware will more than double compared to 2017
' tabindex='0'>MacOS malware developmentBy the end of 2018, the number of new malware will more than double compared to 2017
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Protection for MacOS – the detection rates
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MacOS malware development
All security packages were examined on identical iMacs running MacOS High Sierra 10.13.3. The products were evaluated in terms of their protection, performance and usability. In each category, the laboratory awards a maximum of 6 points. Thus, the top score is 18 points. The products for consumer users from Bitdefender, Intego, Symantec and Trend Micro achieved this score. In the category of corporate solutions, the products from Bitdefender, McAfee and SentinelOne attained the best result.
Top detection for most solutions
In the test, each solution was required to detect, block or delete more than 500 of the very latest attackers. In the case of the products for home users, 6 out of 8 packages tested detected 100 percent of the malware samples. Only Avira and F-Secure had minor detection problems.
With respect to solutions for business users, Bitdefender and Sophos managed to achieve the 100 percent mark. The endpoint packages McAfee and SentinelOne followed close behind with 99.8 and 99 percent detection.
In everyday scenarios, many protection packages run in mixed networks and exchange data with Windows. That is why the laboratory tested the detection of Windows malware samples in a non-rated supplemental test. Among the consumer packages from Bitdefender, Kaspersky Lab and Trend Micro, the rate was nearly 100 percent. Regarding corporate solutions, the packages from Bitdefender, McAfee and Sophos reached similar high results.
In a second non-rated supplemental test, it was determined how well the solutions detected so-called 'potentially unwanted applications' – or PUA for short. While these programs do not cause any damage, they do exhibit peculiar behavior. This includes tools with lots of advertising, ambiguous messages or even strange privacy statements. Some manufacturers see no direct threat in PUA, which is why they also do not classify them as dangerous. Among the packages for home users, Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, Kaspersky Lab, Symantec and Trend Micro detected over 2,500 PUA 95 to 99 percent.
Concerning solutions for corporate users, Bitdefender, McAfee and Sophos unmasked PUA at 90 to 99 percent.
Going easy on client PCs
A security solution constantly has to work in the background, monitoring processes and scanning files. Most solutions perform their work without slowing down MacOS – but not all. In the test category of performance, the lab examined how heavily each individual package affects the speed of the system. For the measurements on a reference system, numerous applications were launched and operations performed. In addition, files were copied locally and into the network. All the times required for the routines were written down and served as parameters for comparison. Afterwards, all the respective steps were repeated with active security solutions.
For consumers, the security packages from Bitdefender, Intego, Symantec and Trend Micro put their best foot forward and received a maximum 6 points as a result. Kaspersky Lab still managed to achieve an excellent 5.5 points. Avira and F-Secure slightly slowed down the system and only achieved 5 points. Avast slowed down MacOS too heavily: only 4 points.
For corporate products, the solutions from Bitdefender, McAfee and SentinelOne demonstrated that their effects on system performance are hardly measurable: 6 points. Only the package from Sophos caused a dip in performance in the client, which led to a reduction to 5 points.
Protected the Mac in the test in all categories without errors – this earned the maximum 18 points
' tabindex='0'>Bitdefender AntivirusProtected the Mac in the test in all categories without errors – this earned the maximum 18 points
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The package for home users worked without a glitch – 18 points
' tabindex='0'>Intego VirusBarrierThe package for home users worked without a glitch – 18 points
The client-server solution excelled in the test with the highest achievable point score
' tabindex='0'>McAfee Endpoint SecurityAntivirus Solutions For Small Business
The client-server solution excelled in the test with the highest achievable point score
In the test, the business solution reached a top score with 18 points
' tabindex='0'>SentinelOne Next Generation Endpoint SecurityIn the test, the business solution reached a top score with 18 points
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Intego VirusBarrier
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SentinelOne Next Generation Endpoint Security
High degree of reliability, no false alarms
If protection packages overreact, a normal application program can be quickly labelled as a threat. False alarms like these are unsettling to consumers and possibly lead to downtime costs in companies. That is why the lab examined the following: dozens of applications were installed under each installed security solution. In addition, over 4,000 benign programs had to be scanned in the false positive test.
Hats off to the results: All security programs – for home and business users – performed their routines without one single false alarm. Thus, the lab consistently awarded the maximum 6 points.
Well-armed in case of emergencies
More and more Mac users are opting to stay on the safe side and using security software for MacOS. The current statistics on malware growth also recommend this.
Consumers have a wide selection of excellent security software. A total of 4 programs reached the maximum point score of 18. They are from Bitdefender, Intego, Symantec and Trend Micro. Following close behind is the package from Kaspersky Lab, which also comes recommended with 17.5 points.
Yet also among the endpoint solutions for companies, 3 products, from Bitdefender, McAfee and SentinelOne, earned the maximum point score. Sophos affected performance slightly in the test on the client PC and had a point taken off as a result. Nonetheless, it still earned an excellent 17 points.
Any Mac user seeking to put safety first ought to use a security solution. AV-TEST examined 13 solutions for home and business users in terms of their protection and potential loss in performance on the Mac. Several packages are highly recommended.
MacOS product test – the detection ratesIn terms of packages for home users, 6 out of 9 products detect all attackers 100 percent; in packages for business users, the figure was 3 out of 4.
And even if many Mac users will not readily admit it: they are ever more frequently on the target list of malware authors. In 2016, Kaspersky Lab already tallied 12 million attacks only on its Mac users. The malware threats for MacOS registered by AV-TEST grew by nearly 38,000 samples in 2017 alone. It is just fine with ransomware thieves if, in addition to holding up Windows users, they can also rip off Mac users.
Even the best packages in the test require hardly any additional system resources for their performance.
' tabindex='0'>Protection for MacOS SierraEven the best packages in the test require hardly any additional system resources for their performance.
The Top 10 is still led by Flashback, but new malware is surging to the front of the list.
' tabindex='0'>Malware for MacOSThe Top 10 is still led by Flashback, but new malware is surging to the front of the list.
In no previous year was there such an increase in newly-registered malware samples than in the year 2017.
' tabindex='0'>Malware TrendAntivirus Solutions For Mac Computers
In no previous year was there such an increase in newly-registered malware samples than in the year 2017.
The security package for home users stood out due to error-free detection and a hardly measurable system load.
' tabindex='0'>Symantec Norton SecurityThe security package for home users stood out due to error-free detection and a hardly measurable system load.
The solution for business users detected the malware in the test 100 percent and caused an additional system load of merely 0.5 percent.
' tabindex='0'>SentinelOne Next Generation Endpoint SecurityThe solution for business users detected the malware in the test 100 percent and caused an additional system load of merely 0.5 percent.
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Malware for MacOS
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Youtube to mp3 for mac free. Symantec Norton Security
Put to the test: 9 products for home users, 4 solutions for business users
The laboratory of AV-TEST examined a total of 13 products under MacOS Sierra. The first 9 on the list are for home users:
Avast Security 12.9
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac 6.1
Comodo Antivirus 2.2
F-Secure Safe 17.0
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 10.9
Kaspersky Lab Internet Security for Mac 18.0
Sophos Home 1.2
Symantec Norton Security 7.5
Trend Micro Antivirus 8.0
4 solutions for business users
ESET Endpoint Security 6.5
McAfee Endpoint Security for Mac 10.2
SentinelOne Next Generation Endpoint Security Software 2.0
Sophos Central Endpoint 9.6
All versions were evaluated under identical iMacs running on MacOS Sierra 10.12.6. The solutions were installed in the test as additional protection for MacOS Sierra. None of the security packages switched off the internal protection functions of MacOS Sierra.
High detection rates for many security packages
In the test involving packages for home users, a total of 6 out of 9 packages detected the 514 selected MacOS attackers: Avast, Bitdefender, Kaspersky Lab, Sophos, Symantec and Trend Micro. Intego overlooked a few malware samples, yet still attained a good 99.4 percent. F-Secure delivered a somewhat weaker performance with 93.8 percent. The security package from Comodo only detected an unacceptable 38.1 percent.
Among the solutions for corporate users, the products from ESET, SentinelOne and Sophos detected all attackers 100 percent. Endpoint Security from McAfee experienced a minor detection error: 99.6 percent.
In an additional test, the detection performance of Windows files was also evaluated. While these are innocuous on a Mac, in a mixed network, malware could thus hide on a Mac – especially when it is used as a server. For consumer users, the packages from Bitdefender, Kaspersky Lab and Trend Micro demonstrated superb detection rates between 99 and 100 percent. Likewise, high detection rates among corporate solutions were reached by ESET, McAfee and Sophos.
Lots of protection with a low system load
In the past, many Mac security packages demonstrated a conspicuously high system load. The fact that those days are now over can be seen in the test segment on speed. In evaluating this criterion, the testers copied a selection of files on a reference system encompassing a volume of 27.28 GB, clocking the time necessary for the operation. In addition, various downloads were performed, and these times were also recorded. On the reference system, the copying took 147 seconds, and the downloads lasted 56 seconds.
The exactly identical copying procedure and the same downloads were then repeated with each security solution installed, and the times were measured. Using this method, it quickly becomes apparent which antivirus solution requires too many resources in everyday use, thereby slowing down a Mac system.
System load on products for home users
The security packages for consumer users from Kaspersky Lab, Trend Micro and Symantec added a load of a mere 1 to 2 additional seconds when copying and downloading. Those levels are actually unnoticeable in everyday use. All these packages also achieved the 100 percent mark in detection. Bitdefender and Sophos Home did just as good a job at detection, but required as much as 6 to 13 seconds more time. F-Secure and Intego delayed the test procedure by 21 to 35 seconds. Avast Security did indeed deliver error-free detection, but it slowed down the system in the test procedure by 73 seconds – that is too much. In response to a query, the manufacturer stated that in the tested version the standard default configuration was still set to immediate validation during download and not after download as is the case with other products. In the new subsequent version, they changed the default setting to validate the download afterwards, which saves lots of time. If the so-called web shield is activated by the user, then the download is once again validated immediately, but more slowly.
Corporate solutions with a low system load on the client
Two of the four solutions for business users consistently demonstrated a very low system load on the client. The products from SentinelOne and McAfee increase the time factor when copying and downloading in the test by 1 to 2 seconds. For the solution from ESET, it is already up to 7 seconds, and for Sophos it is 10 seconds. That sounds like a lot of time, but it represents merely a 3 to 5 percent heavier load due to the security solution compared to the reference system.
Antivirus For Mac
No false positives when scanning perfectly clean programs
In an additional segment, the testers evaluated whether the packages detect standard software as perfectly clean, as opposed to falsely classifying it as a threat and blocking it. For the test, the security packages were required to scan hundreds of applications and monitor the installation of a few dozen programs. The result was excellent on the packages for home and business users.
In this segment, there was also an additional test: It was evaluated how the security solutions behave towards 'potentially unwanted applications' – or PUAs in short. While the applications do not inflict any damage, they do exhibit questionable behavior. This includes software with excessive advertising, messages or ambiguous privacy policies. Some manufacturers see no direct threat in PUAs, which is why they also do not classify them as dangerous. Products from Avast, Bitdefender, ESET, SentinelOne, Trend Micro, Intego, Sophos (both products) and Symantec filtered out nearly 700 PUAs between 98 and 100 percent.
Protection sacrificing hardly any performance, yet saving the day when disaster strikes
Good Antivirus For Mac
A statistic was already mentioned at the beginning of the article: In 2016, Kaspersky Lab already tallied 12 million attacks only on its Mac users. With numbers like these, it is recommended to have a reliable helper alongside the security mechanisms of MacOS Sierra. The test demonstrates that good protection does not even have to put a load on the system. The most impressive examples in this respect are the products for consumer users from Symantec, Kaspersky and Trend Micro. Also recommended is the package from Bitdefender, even though it requires nearly 3 percent of resources.
Total Av Antivirus For Mac
In the category of corporate solutions, the best products are practically a photo finish. SentinelOne was able to fend off all attackers 100 percent, resulting only in an additional system load of one second. The protection provided by ESET and Sophos is impeccable as well, but it requires 3 to 5 percent more resources. This load is also considered minor, however. The solution from McAfee only slowed down the test system slightly by an additional 2 seconds, but experienced tiny errors in malware detection.