Avast does have a paid antivirus program, but we wanted to look at Avast FREE Antivirus because we receive a lot of questions about how well free antivirus programs perform. And Avast is one of the more popular free programs. The most important thing one can do is keep your OS (Windows, Linux or Mac) up to date, without it, the most powerful security software in the world won't protect you. Both McAfee vs Avast are antivirus programs are well known with users all around the world, but determining which one is best for your computer could be a tough decision. However, the team at BlueGadgetTooth has simplified your decision making when it comes to choosing the best antivirus program with this guide, especially when it comes to choosing between McAfee vs Avast suites.
Best Mac Antivirus Software. Avast Free Mac Security caught 99.9 percent of all malware, packs in a password manager, barely leaves a smudge on system impact and doesn't charge a dime. Top 10 Best Virus Protection Software 2018 Compare the world’s leading virus protection companies A virus is malicious software designed to cause damage, access private and confidential data and take control of your device, whether that's a desktop PC, mobile or tablet.
- 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.
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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.
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.
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You can go a long way toward keeping your Android phone secure with a bit of good Internet hygiene and a trustworthy antivirus app. If you're feeling brave, you can just avoid shady sites, not click any links, and hope you stay out of trouble. But if you really want to guard your Android phone from harmful viruses, you'll want to install an Android anti malware app to scan for viruses.
The good news is, a good security app doesn't have to cost you: Many of the best anti malware for Android are available in a free version that offers basic protection and in a paid edition that includes anti-theft controls, phishing alerts, call blocking, and more.
Which Is Better For Mac: Avast Or Spectrum Customer
What Exactly Is Malware?
Android malware spans from troublesome software that displays unwanted ads to vicious apps that spy on your activities, steal your personal data, and (via ransomware) hold your phone hostage.
How Does an Android Phone Get Infected?
You have to work to get a malicious app on your Android phone -- it doesn't just happen. So be careful about which links and ads you tap. And be smart about where you download apps if you're not using Google's Play Store. Google reports that a user is ten times more likely to download a potentially harmful app from a third-party site than from its own app store.
How Can I Get a Deal on an Antimalware App?
If you're looking just for basic virus protection, the free versions of the best Android security apps are up to the task. If, however, you want broad-spectrum coverage, look to an annual subscription. While you can pay as much as $29.99 a year to cover a single device, you can easily find deals on Amazon and company websites for security suites that cover 3 to 5 and even 10 desktop and mobile devices for just a few bucks more.
Besides Using Antivirus for Android Phones, What Else Can I Do to Stay Safe?
Along with running an antivirus app, setting a screen-lock password is a good step. Google recommends you also keep your Android OS and apps up-to-date and avoid shady app download sites. And when you connect to the Internet over a public Wi-Fi, use a VPN.
What about Google's Play Protect Service?
After years of ceding Android's malware protection to third-party security apps like Avast or Bitdefender, Google is trying to do a better job of guarding Android users with Google Play Protect. According to Google, Play Protect regularly checks apps installed on an Android device for suspicious activity and guards against potential harm. Play Protect runs on your device in the background, but if you're feeling nervous, you can manually activate a scan from within the Play Store.
Which Is Better For Mac: Avast Or Spectrum Tv
Despite Google's work to make Android more secure, you may not want to uninstall your other antivirus apps just yet. According to the security and antivirus testing firm AV-Test, most of the Android security apps it recently evaluated were more effective than Play Protect at protecting phones, calling Google's malware detection rates 'mediocre.' For now, you're safer using one of the good third-party antivirus for Android phones in tandem with Google's own protection.