Easy to use, the Mac virus scan starts with just the push of a button. Want more tech advice like this? Sign up for my Advisorator newsletter, where a version of this column originally appeared.The Avira Antivirus for Mac software is our simple and elegant solution for your online security. On that, at least, the experts seem to be in total harmony. While extra antivirus software was essential in the early days of personal computing, these days it’s just one potential tool in the broader security arsenal, which should also include strong passwords, two-factor authentication, robust data backups, and a healthy dose of common sense.

I’d much rather use a dedicated password manager than one that’s bundled with antivirus software, and if I needed a VPN, I’d want to choose the provider myself. (Windows offers this as well, but not by default.) Antivirus suites also typically provide protection for mobile devices as well as personal computers.Īll of these extra features, however, can bloat up your computer, affecting performance and getting in your way, and they might not even be the best tools for the job. AVG’s “Behavior Shield,” for instance, can look for patterns of malicious behavior even when it hasn’t detected a virus, while Avast One has ransomware protection that prevents apps from encrypting your files without permission. You want more kinds of protection: Some third-party tools offer additional methods of protection that aren’t built into Windows.Avast One has a built-in VPN and a temporary file cleaner.

Norton 360 Deluxe, for instance, includes its own password manager and cloud storage service.

You’re looking to bundle: In addition to extra security features, some antivirus programs offer tools that you might otherwise purchase separately.

Avast, for instance, can monitor webcam use and let you block untrusted apps from capturing video, and it can also alert you if any of your online passwords are involved in a security breach.

You need more help with security: Some antivirus programs offer extra security features beyond the realm of traditional virus scanning.

Do i need antivirus software for mac