When it comes to IT security and data protection, Window users and Mac users are as different as night and day. Long time Window users know that going without antivirus software is as crazy as leaving your home open 24/7. A portion of Mac users follow a similar train of thought, while others prefer to live in their own bubble. They believe their devices are 100 percent resistant to malware… and they are treading quite a dangerous path.

Truthfully speaking, the perception that Macs are safer to use than PCs isn’t something that was manufactured out of thin air. Macs have their own built-in security tools called Xprotect and Gatekeeper. XProtect, Macs built-in anti-malware feature, checks all apps downloaded to your device from the Internet, while another built-in feature, Gatekeeper, automatically prevents an app from opening without the user’s permission. These are all great, but they aren’t as comprehensive as they should be.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac gives you absolute protection with no impact on speed or performance. This powerful solution includes free VPN, anti-ransomware and adware removal features. Overall, though, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is the best Mac antivirus program. UPDATED with latest lab-test results. This review was originally published Sept.

Confused? Here’s how we came to that conclusion – in June 2019, Mac’s security firm Intego discovered new and multiple types of Mac malware called OSX/Netwire and OSX/NetWeirdRC. OSX/Netwire and OSX/NetWeirdRC are forms of backdoor malware that have capabilities such as logging keystrokes and taking screenshots of an infected Mac, features which allow the Internet intruders that produce these forms of malware to spy on their victims.

You’re probably thinking, Macs built-in security tools can handle that. To an extent, maybe. But there are gaps in the armor that protect Mac users systems. In many instances it’s been proven that XProtect only looks out for a handful of strains of malware.

And that isn’t good. Mac devices need powerful and complete antivirus protection against ALL Mac-related threats.They need an antivirus solution infused with the most innovative technologies that predict, prevent, detect and remediate even the latest cyber-threats. To match and crush the continued growth of new malware strains, MacOS devices need antivirus software with ultra-fast scans and a high detection rate, too. Luckily, BitDefender Antivirus For Mac can do all of that for you.

Why Choose Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac?

Bitdefender is no new kid on the block. The company has been in business for more than 15 years, and has earned a reputable name in malware detection. One of its latest products, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, continues the company’s legacy with its top-notch system protection and tools that guard against ransomware.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac utilizes traditional signature-based detection to keep Macs malware-free.The antivirus solution first unpacks Mac-specific file formats, then does a scan on them to make sure they’re free of suspicious content. Bitdefender also scans unopened ZIP files, and detects and finds PC malware on Macs to stop it from spreading further.

If you rely on your computer for much of your work, and you hate being slowed down, you’ll love Bitdefender’s system-protection scanning feature. When Bitdefender scans your Mac, you won’t know it’s doing its work in the background. It does its job as quietly as possible, keeping user interaction to a minimum.

Lab testing is a common technique used to assess the speed, power, and performance of antivirus solutions. That said, did you know that Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac killed all present malware in tests administered by the Austrian AV-Comparatives independent testing lab in July 2019? Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac also got top marks in German laboratory AV-Test’s evaluations in April and May of 2019.

In your search for the best security solution for your Mac, there are so many options on the market, you may not know which to choose. You know that you need an antivirus, but you don’t know if what you see right now will fit your needs. What to do?

If you’re saying to yourself, “that’s me,” why not try checking out a product’s features first? By sifting through an antivirus program’s key features, you’ll be able to see how the product stands out from other products in the market. When you do this, you’ll realize what feature is most important to you, and what feature you can let go off. This process will help you choose the right security product for you.

Pros

Great Independent Lab testing results

Advanced Anti-Phishing Protection

Strong Browser Protection

Free Daily Encrypted Traffic

Fast, Unobtrusive Scanning Feature

Detects Malware Across Platforms

Cons

No Firewall Tools

No Parental Control Feature

More Expensive Compared To Similar Products From Competing Brands

Key Features

Speaking of product features, when it comes to Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac, all of its features can be summed up in three words: Protection, Performance, and Privacy. Let’s break them down below :

Protection

Bitdefender protects your macOS devices and keeps them safe from new and existing threats

Bitdefender Safe Files

Bitdefender Safe Files prevents unauthorized changes to important files so ransomware or other types of threats can’t compromise them. To access this feature, just add folders to Bitdefender’s watch list. Bitdefender then automatically guards them against ransomware and other forms of malware. Only applications you authorize can access your Safe Files.

Traffic Light Browser Extension

Available for Firefox, Chrome, and Safari, Traffic Light Browser Extensionis a free cross-browser add-on that filters your web traffic. It blocks any form of malicious content it comes across immediately. When you search for a topic on the Net, the Traffic Light Browser Extension alerts you to malware and fraudulent websites within your search results. Lastly, Bitdefender Traffic Light lists down website pages and identifies online trackers that analyze and monitor your browsing behavior.

Cross-Platform Malware Detection

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac scans, detects, and removes malware targeting macOS and also threats made for Windows.When you send your files to others, you can be sure the files you send are safe and clean.

Anti-Phishing

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac’s advanced anti-phishing protection can smell scams a mile away. It detects and blocks websites that pretend to be trustworthy, but just want to steal your financial information like credit card numbers.

Performance

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac fights online threats without affecting your system’s speed or overall performance.

Autopilot

Bitdefender Autopilot works as your very own Security Advisor. Autopilot recommends what should be done to improve the security of your device based on the needs of your system and usage patterns.

Fast Scanning

Really, really fast! Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac provides you with ultra-fast scans and the best detection rate in the industry.

Privacy

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac helps protect your online privacy, and keeps your personal info safe and secure.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender provides up to 200 mb of daily encrypted Internet traffic. When your data is encrypted, it is scrambled, and in unreadable form, and only someone with a key can read or access it.

Anti-tracker

One of Bitdefender ‘s newer features, the Anti-tracker extension, prevents online trackers from collecting your data, and lets you view and manage this information on each website you

Bitdefender For Mac