Best Mac Malware Removal Software for Mac in 2022
Best Mac Malware Removal Software for Mac in 2022
Despite a common belief that Macs are immune to malware and viruses, thatâs sadly not true. In fact, according to security researchers, Mac infections have surged in recent years as the popularity of Appleâs computers has increased. And, no matter how careful you are, thereâs always a possibility that you could inadvertently download something dangerous
The good news is that keeping your Mac free from malware doesnât have to be difficult. There is a range of malware removal tools available that can help ensure your machine is always safe â and that your data doesnât fall into the wrong hands. But which is best? Weâve tested a wholeof them and picked out five of the best
What to look for in the best Mac malware removal software Protecting your Mac and ensuring itâs always free from malware can be easy and affordable. There is a wide selection of tools from many different companies dedicated to this task. But how do you pick the right one for you? Here are some things you should look for:
⢠Reliability: One of the most important things to look for in a malware remover is reliability â a product that is capable of detecting all (or at least the vast majority) of known viruses. Itâs no good having antivirus protection installed if it cannot block all infections
⢠Features: Be sure that the protection you choose offers all the features you need. While most cover basic system scanning and malware removal, others include helpful additions that can help keep your Mac free from otherand improve performance
⢠Price: One of the great things about antivirus software is that there are some excellent free options. However, these tend to leave out key features that can be incredibly important. If you can, pick a paid solution that has everything you need at the right price
MacKeeper is an incredibly powerful suite of system tools that are brought together to help you ensure your Mac is always running at its best. A key part of that is keeping it free from malware and other malicious files. MacKeeperâs excellent malware removal tool scours your whole system for files that should not be there, then safely removes them to keep you safe
With the ability to detect up to 99.7% of known viruses, MacKeeper is incredibly effective at clearing your system of dangerous software â including adware and spyware â that can expose your most sensitive data. One click is all it takes to scan your whole system, and MacKeeper will automatically block theviruses for you before they can get to work
Whatâs more, unlike some other all-in-one suits, MacKeeper offers real-time malware scanning, so it will identify threats as soon as they arise â not days later after theyâve had time to do damage. MacKeeper also bolsters your privacy by offering a built-in ad blocker and even a VPN, so you can mask your online browsing habits to protect your data. Notarized by Apple and certified by AV-Test Includes other helpful system tools, including an ad blocker and VPN May be a little more than you need if youâre only looking to remove malware More expensive than some alternatives at $10.95 per month
AVG doesnât always get the recognition it deserves, but itâs actually one of the best and highest-rated antivirus tools, according to AV-Test. It gets top scores for protection, performance, and reliability, and when tested with all malwares discovered over the last four months, it recognizes 100% of them. Itâs also great at not accidentally identifying legitimate software as dangerous
On Mac, AVG AntiVirus offers always-on antivirus scanning, as well as the ability to manually scan your entire system whenever you see fit. It also blocks unsafe links and attachments in your emails, and it does all of this completely free as part of its basic protection package. If youâre interested, thereâs a âfull protectionâ option that offers ransomware and anti-phishing protection as well. Top rating for malware detection and performance from AV-Test Does all of the above absolutely free Lacks some of the additional features found in rival solutions Sometimes pesters you to pay by recommending fixes only available with âfull protection.â
Avira is another malware remover for Mac that is recognized for its great detection rates, and itâs just as reliable as MacKeeper or AVG, according to AV-Test. One advantage it does have is its âactivity streamâ feature, which lets you see and review all the security-related activities on your system to quickly identify things that shouldnât be there. It also offers real-time and on-demand system scanning
Avira also helps keep your apps up to date, which is important if you want to ensure you always have the latest security patches as soon as theyâre available. And, unlike its rivals, it has a built-in price comparison tool that helps you save money while shopping online â though that may be of no interest to you if youâre only looking for system protection and malware removal
There are several versions of Avira available for Mac, including two â one of which includes a VPN â that are free to use. However, you will have to upgrade to its Pro license if you want real-time system scanning, the ability to scan USB devices, and online banking protection. Lets you review all security-related activities on your system Not quite as reliable at virus detection as some alternatives Its VPN limits traffic to the point that itâs often not worth using
Antivirus One from Trend Micro is a streamlined application that does a great job of removing all kinds of system threats, including viruses, ransomware, and malware from your Mac. It performs a full system scan incredibly quickly, then effectively removes any malicious software that it detects. It can also carry out scans in the background, so you donât have to remember to start them manually
In addition to its malware removal capabilities, Antivirus One has a set of incredibly handy web security tools that keep you safe online. It can help you avoid dangerous websites that are designed to steal your data or are filled with malicious software, and it can remove annoying toolbars and browser hijackers that monitor your online activities. However, it does miss out on a VPN. Bolsters your security on the web and helps you avoid malicious websites Affordable, with prices starting at just $2.99 a month Detects malware for free but makes you pay to remove it Browser ad blocker is not included; you have to download another app
CleanMyMac X is the closest alternative to MacKeeper in that itâs an all-in-one system suite with a wealth of optimization and security tools. And just like its rivals, it scans your entire system in one go to weed out malware and other dangerous files so that they can be safely removed. CleanMyMac X also offers background scanning to detect any threats as quickly as possible
It does a pretty decent job of this, though it is important to note that CleanMyMac X doesnât rate as well as others for virus detection, according to tests carried out by PCMag. But in addition to malware removal, CleanMyMac X can remove other software you no longer want, as well as any unnecessary browser extensions and browser data â if thatâs something youâre interested in. Background malware scanning to detect viruses as quickly as possible Can also remove unwanted software, browser extensions, and more Relatively affordable at $34.95 per year Not as effective at virus detection as some of its rivals
Itâs dangerous to assume that your Mac is immune to malware and other viruses, or that you will never stumble across at least one of them. The good news is that protecting your system can be easy and affordable. If all you need is basic protection, free solutions like AVG AntiVirus and Avira may be plenty good enough. However, if youâre after real-time system scanning and additional protection tools, we recommend looking at the paid versions of these apps
If your Mac is also in need of system tuning because itâs running slow or low on storage, you might want to look at a solution like MacKeeper. In addition to real-time antivirus scanning and the ability to eliminate malware right away, it has a wholeof excellent system optimization tools that can help ensure your Mac is always running at its best. It packs a great VPN, too.