Avast Security Pro (for Mac)
Avast is an all in one antivirus software for protecting you from threats occurring via the internet, email, local files, P2P connections and much more. Avast is one of the best antivirus software which provides constant virus protection, called as on-access or resident protection for FREE. Decide to uninstall Avast Free Mac Security 2016 from your computer? How can you fully get rid of this app and all its components? How can you fully get rid of this app and all its components? In this post we will show you how to effectively uninstall Avast Mac Security from your Mac, without any trace left. Since berels doesn't know how to use web forums and I just installed Avast on my Mac and looked through everything I can tell you that there is NO way to schedule a scan. This is unfortunate. I will be looking at other antivirus programs due to this limitation.
Internet Security For Mac
Pros
Certified by one independent testing lab. Speedy full scan. Useful bonus features. Ransomware protection. Wi-Fi intruder detection.Cons
Doesn't add much to free edition's features. Expensive. Poor scores in phishing protection test. 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.
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.
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.
Mcafee For Mac
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.
Avast Security Pro (for Mac)
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.
I have been an Avast Free user for some time and am overall quite satisfied with the level of protection afforded, suffice to say that I can’t even remember the last time my machine was infected. One of the features included with Avast is the ability to perform a Boot-time scan, in fact I believe it is unique to Avast.
A Boot-time scan can be beneficial because the scan is taking place before the operating system and drivers are loaded, and by association before any malware can be loaded as well. It is also the most thorough of scans because it scans everything, including any files which might normally be locked or in use.
It’s a very simple procedure to schedule a Boot-time scan in Avast… here’s how:
Open up the Avast interface by right clicking on the icon in the system tray and selecting “Open avast! user interface“. Or double click the desktop shortcut if available.
In the main interface, click on the magnifying glass icon in the left hand navigation panel as indicated in the following screenshot:
This will take you to the Scan options window.
Now, from the drop down menu at top right, select Boot-time scan. Then click on the Settings link:
Here you can set parameters for which areas to scan as well as what actions Avast should apply upon identifying any malware (most users, most of the time, will just want to scan the system drive):
The overall appearance is clean and uncluttered, with buttons intuitively labelled and positioned. Avast mac security for 10.5.8. Avast’s large and active community quickly alerts the development team of new security threats which are swiftly countered and added to Avast’s significant database. Comprehensive Protection Avast are constantly updating their database of virus definitions, meaning your computer will be protected against the latest spyware, viruses and potentially hazardous websites.
*Under “actions” it is suggested you select Move to Chest – do not selectFix automatically, Repair, or Delete!(more on that later).
Make sure both options – Scan for PUPs and Unpack archives – are enabled, and when ready click OK.
Now, back in the Scan options window, simply click on the Start button:
It brings along a raft of other security-related components, some free, others free trial. Avira rates links in search results, so you don't accidentally visit a dangerous page. By default, it runs a scheduled scan every week. Avast for mac.
Now Avast will ask you if you want to restart the machine and run the scan immediately:
If that’s your intention, click the appropriate button. If you’d prefer to wait until later, bearing in mind that the Boot-time scan does take quite a long time, select No – (the scan will still run once the machine is restarted).
If, for some reason, you later change your mind and want to cancel the scan altogether, just access the Scan options screen again and click the “Unschedule” button:
Avast – Move to Chest plus Quarantine
Selecting the ‘Move To Chest’ option will move any files identified as a threat away from where they can do harm and into “quarantine”. Access to quarantine, (aka the Virus Chest) is available via one of three links included at the bottom of the Scan options window:
Reversing the action, moving a file from the Virus Chest back to its original location, or deleting a file permanently, is just a matter of right clicking the file in question and selecting either “Restore” or “Delete” from the ensuing menu:
Avast Boot-time Scan: Important notes!
System files and Actions
Avast’s Boot-time scan does generally take a long time to complete, often around 2 to 4 hours, depending on numbers of files – and here’s the rub – if a system file is flagged as a threat, even though the action parameter has been preset, the scan will pause and ask the user to confirm an action. The scan will not start back up again until that answer has been forthcoming.
While this is certainly a prudent precaution it can also be a pain in the butt. You start the scan and toddle off to bed only to wake the next morning to find it stalled while waiting on user input.
*If the scan stops and waits for an action to perform, do not use the “Yes” or “Yes all” options for system files – always press number 3 on the keyboard to skip moving the file.
A Powerful Tool!
The Avast Boot-time scan is a powerful tool, do not overuse it, only utilize it at those times if/when you have good reason to suspect your machine may be infected. Use with care and make sure not to select those ‘action’ options which lead to repair, fix, or deletion of files.
Boot-time Scan’s Log Files
Each time you run Avast’s Boot-time scan the program will log the event internally and, if a scan identifies malware, a log file is created and saved in Avast’s Program Data folder.
These event logs and logfiles can be accessed easily via the Avast interface.
From within the Scan options window, click on the Scan history link at the bottom:
A new window will open which lists each Boot-time scan that has been completed. A clean scan will just appear here as a summary. Scans which have identified malware will be displayed in red, clicking on any of those red entries will activate the Detailed Report button. Highlight the red entry you want to investigate further and click on that button to open up a… um… well… detailed report.
More experienced users can utilize these logfiles to analyze scan results after selecting “No Action” from Avast’s action parameters menu.
How To Use Avast Security For Mac Once You Run A Scan For Virus
Bottom Line
Avast Security For Mac Free Download
Avast’s Boot-time scan can be a useful addition to a user’s malware cleanup toolkit but moves into dangerous waters whenever system files are involved. Please do utilize it only when necessary and always with the utmost caution.