With 2016’s KeRanger, the first trojan horse ransomware for Mac OSX, and 2017’s Patcher, a Mac ransomware spread through BitTorrent, we’ve seen that Macs are not completely invulnerable. Their security is strong straight out of the box, it’s true, but there are several extra security settings that bolster your protection if you set them up. For some Macs, the 'Best Free Mac Antivirus' according to 'Best Antivirus Software and Apps 2016' would be Avast, not Sophos. Specifically, those running OS X 10.7 and earlier, since August 2016.
- Pros
Certified by one independent testing lab. Speedy full scan. Excellent phishing protection for Chrome and Firefox. Useful bonus features. Ransomware protection. Wi-Fi intruder detection.
- Cons
Doesn't add much to free edition's features. Expensive. Poor phishing protection for Safari. Password manager includes only basic features.
- Bottom Line
Avast Security Pro (for Mac) adds ransomware protection and Wi-Fi intruder detection to the features found in Avast's free antivirus, but these additions don't merit its high price.
The myth that Macs can't suffer viruses, Trojans, or other types of malware attack is busted. Oh, the situation isn't nearly as bad as on Windows or Android, but Macs really do need antivirus protection. There are free options available, including Avast Security (for Mac), but commercial antivirus utilities offer more features and do better in testing. Looking at what this product adds beyond the features in the free edition, it's really hard to justify the price.
- $0.00
- $0.00
- $39.99
- $29.95
- $39.99
- $49.99
- $39.99
- $39.99
- $59.99
- $44.99
- $0.00
- $99.99
- $39.95
- $39.99
This product's main window looks exactly like that of the free edition, except for the absence of the upgrade offer. Plenty of white space surrounds a simple security status indicator. The left-rail menu is also the same as in the free edition. The difference is that clicking Ransomware Shield or Wi-Fi Inspector brings up the component, rather than displaying an upgrade invitation. The look is very different from that of Avast Pro Antivirus, which uses a dark gray background with occasional elements in purple and green.
Pricing and OS Support
Like Bitdefender and Kaspersky, Avast supports macOS versions back to 10.9 (Mavericks). If you have an antique Mac that for some reason can't even run Mavericks, consider ESET,
The most common pricing plan for Mac antivirus runs $39.99 per year for one license or $59.99 for three. Bitdefender, ESET Cyber Security (for Mac), Kaspersky, and Malwarebytes all fit this profile. Price-wise, Avast is on the high end, at $59.99 per year or $69.99 for three licenses. That's expensive, considering that the free edition has all the same features except for Ransomware Shield and Wi-Fi Inspector, which I'll detail below.
Shared Features
This utility shares all the features of the free Avast Security (for Mac), and that's saying a lot. I'll briefly summarize those shared features here, and you can should read my review of the free product for more details.
AV-Comparatives certified Avast's Mac malware protection as effective. In testing, it protected against 99.9 percent of Mac malware and 100 percent of Windows malware. AV-Test Institute, the other major lab that tests Mac antivirus, did not include Avast in testing. Note, though, that Bitdefender and Kaspersky earned 100 percent in both tests, and received certification from both labs.
I don't have the same kind of resources for antivirus testing under macOS as I do for Windows. I did try scanning a folder containing my current collection of Windows malware. Avast detected and quarantined 85 percent of the samples, which is quite good. Only Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus (for Mac), with 86 percent, and Sophos, with 100 percent, have done better. At the low end, McAfee caught 25 percent and Intego just 18 percent.
Avast's full scan finished in 14.5 minutes, which is quite a bit faster than the current average of 24 minutes. The impressive Home Network Security Scanner took less than three minutes to take note of all devices on my network. It found 36 devices and flagged legitimate security problems on two of them.
Phishing websites masquerade as secure sites in the hopes of fooling you into giving away your login credentials. It doesn't matter which browser you use, or which operating system. Avast's scores in my hands-on phishing protection test were extremely poor. The phishing protection systems built into Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer all outperformed Avast, by a long shot.
Avast For Mac Review
I learned from my company contacts that phishing protection is fully functional in Chrome and Firefox, but only partly in Safari. The developers are working up a browser-independent version. In a new test using Chrome, Avast scored better than any Mac product except Bitdefender. It tied with Norton and beat out all three browsers. If you're relying on Avast for phishing protection, make sure you use Chrome or Firefox.
The Online Security browser extension marks up search results to flag dangerous links. It also displays a list of all ad trackers and other trackers on the current page, with an option to actively block these. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac includes a similar active Do Not Track feature.
Avast comes with a basic password manager that installs as a separate application. It handles basic functions like password capture and replay, saving secure notes, and generating strong passwords. The app stores
Ransomware Shield
Everything I've described to this point is also available in the free edition. The premium-only Ransomware Shield component simply prevents unauthorized access to files in sensitive folders. By default, it protects the Documents and Pictures folders for the current user. Naturally, you can add other folders if needed. A similar feature in Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac also protects your Time Machine backups.
To test this kind of access control on Windows, I use a small text editor that I wrote myself, something that would never show up on a list of trusted applications. I don't have such a program for macOS, so I had to disable the feature that automatically trusts Apple and App Store applications.
This type of access control is an effective tool for ransomware protection, one used by many security tools both on Windows and macOS. However, it does require vigilance on your part. When you see the Ransomware Shield popup, examine it carefully, and only click Allow if you're absolutely sure the program is legitimate.
Wi-Fi Inspector
As noted, you get the Home Network Security Scan even in the free edition. The premium edition adds a component called Wi-Fi Inspector. Despite the name, the main function of this component is to alert you when new devices join the network. It maintains its own simple list of devices. If you click Deep Scan, it launches the Home Network Security Scan.
Wi-Fi Inspector's device list doesn't identify security issues the way the security scan does. On the plus side, it lists the MAC address and IP address for each device, along with the name. For many devices, the name is a clear identification, like
I did encounter a serious problem with the device list. It found 36 devices on my network, but I couldn't scroll down to see more than the first bunch of devices. My Avast contact confirmed this as a bug. It's not such a big problem, as you can see all your connected devices in network scanner.
The real point of Wi-Fi Inspector is to alert you when a new device connects. Just after installation, you'll probably see quite a few of these, as devices that were turned off during the initial scan wake up. Once you get past that shakeout period, you should pay close attention to the new-device notifications. If you don't recognize the device, it could be a neighbor mooching your Wi-Fi, or even a hack attempt.
If you determine that the new connection isn't legitimate, there's not a lot you can do about it. Wi-Fi Inspector offers notification, but no direct way to act on that information. Your best bet is to snap a screenshot of the notification and then find a friend who's a network whiz. Your buddy can use the info from the screenshot to log into your router's settings and ban the device from the network.
Doesn't Add Enough
Avast Security Pro offers certified Mac malware protection, a network security scanner, and a password manager, but those features also come with the free Avast Security. The Pro edition adds ransomware protection that works by banning untrusted applications from modifying your files. It also adds real-time notification of new connections to your
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac has certification from two labs, excellent phishing protection, an anti-ransomware feature much like Avast's, and more. Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac also has two certifications, and it comes with a full parental control system, excellent anti-phishing, protection against webcam peepers, and more. These are our Editors' Choice products for macOS antivirus, and they both costs $20 less than Avast.
Bottom Line: Avast Security Pro (for Mac) adds ransomware protection and Wi-Fi intruder detection to the features found in Avast's free antivirus, but these additions don't merit its high price.
- $69.99
- $59.99
- $0.00
- $0.00
Avast Free Antivirus is one of the best free antivirus software programs you can download. It's a complete tool that protects against threats from the internet, email, your local files, P2P connections, instant messages, and much more. In fact, the 2019 version outdoes its competitors to a pretty significant extent.
With all of these features, you might wonder what you'll have to fork over to pay for it. Fortunately, Avast is completely free!
What We Like
On-access protection from viruses and other malware.
Includes a 'heuristics engine.'
Silent mode feature to hide alerts.
Long history of excellent virus protection.
Runs on Windows and Mac.
What We Don't Like
No commercial use (home/personal only).
Tries to install unrelated software.
Requires periodic registration (but it's free).
Shows ads within the program.
Avast Description: Important Features
Avast Free Antivirus includes fully functional antivirus, antispyware, and heuristics engines. There's also real-time protection of files, email, web surfing, P2P transfers, instant messages, and even suspicious behavior. It scans browser plugins, too, to find installs that have a poor reputation and may be malicious.
Avast For Mac 2016 Review Vs 2017
Wi-Fi Inspector scans your network to find vulnerabilities, such as identifying routers that are using default passwords and checking if your network is accessible from the internet.
A feature called Do Not Disturb Mode is included in Avast Free Antivirus which will block pop-ups while any program is in fullscreen mode, or while gaming or watching movies. This is great so that you don't see update or virus alerts while presenting something or playing a live game.
The Behavior Shield feature built-in to Avast keeps a constant eye on your applications to make sure they don't start to act differently, which could be a sign of a virus attempting to manipulate the software.
Windows 10, 8, and 7 (except Starter and RT editions) are all supported operating systems for Avast Free Antivirus. You can get Avast for Mac, too, and it's also free.
Yearly registration is required to continue use, but Avast Free Antivirus regularly updates malware definitions and the program itself to stay current against new threats.
Avast For Macs
Installation Issues: Pay Attention While Installing Avast
You'll be asked to install Avast's web browser or some other program or tool during installation. These additions are not required; just uncheck the boxes if you're not interested.
You're required to register Avast to use it for more than 30 days, but registration is free and pretty simple. You'll also have to re-register once each year, but again, this is free.
Don't Believe the Rumors: Avast Is Free
Some users have stated that Avast Free Antivirus is not free or that it's not a truly complete antivirus program. That's simply not true. Avast Free Antivirus is a complete anti-malware tool.
Some of the additional benefits you get from purchasing the Internet Security, Premier, or Ultimate versions of Avast are the firewall, VPN, privacy, and spam protections, but you can get those features free from other programs if you want them.
So yes, Avast Free Antivirus provides constant virus protection, also called on-access or resident protection, for free. This means that Avast Free Antivirus can completely replace antivirus software from companies like McAfee and Norton that charge for their software and for yearly access to updates.
Our Thoughts on Avast Free Antivirus
Avast Free Antivirus has been around a long time and is, overall, an excellent free antivirus program. It includes just about everything you'd ever want from an antivirus program, free or otherwise. Avast Free Antivirus is the only anti-malware tool you'll need on your Windows computer.
You can see how Avast's software compares with antivirus programs from other companies — in protection, performance, and security — from AV-TEST.