Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac (v6.1) review: Poor performance during real-world use Bitdefender may have sterling marks from security labs, but version 6.1 isn't nearly so effective during real. Compare Bitdefender vs. Avast If you wish to get a convenient way to find out which IT Management Software product is better, our unique system gives Avast a score of 8.8 and Bitdefender a score of 9.8 for total quality and performance. Other companies that offer a free antivirus solution include Norton, Bitdefender and Panda, but they are pretty bare-boned compared to Avira, Avast and AVG. The biggest drawback of free antivirus programs, besides the lack of security tools, is the number of pop-up ads asking you to upgrade to the paid version. Unlike competitor’s antivirus for Macbook, Avast Antivirus Mac Edition has the same ICSA Certified scan engine as all Avast antivirus products, offering protection against the latest and legacy virus, malware, Trojan horse, and spyware risks. The avast antivirus comes free of cost, and you can simply go to their website and install it. On the other side, Bitdefender will cost you around $38.99. The zero-day malware detection of Bitdefender on windows 10 is 100%.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner is a lightweight free malware hunter which can track down and remove both Mac and Windows-related threats. A simple and straightforward interface makes the app extremely. Download Bitdefender Central app to install on Windows 10, 8, 7 and macOS. Bitdefender Central for PC to use or play on Laptop & Desktop. Get Bitdefender.
Lowest price found: $119.99- Multi-Layer Ransomware Protection NEW
- Blocks and removes annoying adware
- Zero negative impact on speed
- Secures your online shopping experience
- Includes access to free 24/7 Bitdefender product support at (954) 414-9655
- Speed-optimized, cross-platform protection for Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android
- NEW: Microphone Monitor - know when apps have access; Anti-tracker - keep browsing data private, view and manage which sites can collect your data
- IMPROVED: Parental Controls - filter content, limit screen time, and track location; Safe Online Banking - a unique, dedicated browser secures your transactions; Advanced Threat Defense - uses smart behavioral detection to monitor apps in real-time; Wi-Fi Security Advisor - access the security of your Wi-Fi network and router from anywhere
- Also includes: Real-Time Data Protection, Network Threat Prevention, Multi-Layer Ransomware Protection, Social Network Protection, Webcam Protection, Game/Movie/Work Modes, Anti-Phishing, Anti-Fraud, Anti-Spam, Rescue Mode, Bitdefender VPN (200 MB/day), File Encryption, Password Manager, File Shredder, Vulnerability Assessment, Security Autopilot, and much more
- Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite
- Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks
- Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11
- Mac OS Sierra
- Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite
- Windows 10
- Windows 7
- Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks
- Mac OS X El Capitan 10.11
- Windows 8
- Windows 8.1
- Mac OS Sierra
- Blocks and removes adware
- Zero negative impact on speed
- Provides non-stop protection
- Bitdefender Autopilot
- Secures online shopping
- Protects against Mac and PC malware
- Protection for Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android devices
- Advanced parental controls
- Secure Shop and bank online
- Multi-layer ransomware protection
- 2Y, 1Y edition
Bitdefender Family Pack 2018 is a popular and one of the most expensive options. It's in the top 3 bestselling antivirus programs and has dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Vipre Internet Security 2016 or Norton Small Business .
Bitdefender Family Pack 2018 was released last year in May. There are a few newer antivirus programs on the market. Show newer Antivirus Programs
Bitdefender Family Pack 2018 is $81.99 more expensive than an average antivirus program ($38).
- Pros
Certified by one independent testing lab. Speedy full scan. Excellent phishing protection for Chrome and Firefox. Network security scanner. Password manager. Website rating. Active Do Not Track. Free.
- Cons
Poor phishing protection in Safari. Password manager includes only basic features.
- Bottom Line
Avast Security (for Mac) delivers effective malware protection along with unusual bonus features. Phishing protection only works well in Chrome and Firefox, but this free utility is still worth a look.
For years, Mac users basked in the mystique of virus-free computing. It wasn't true, alas, and as time goes on we see more and more Mac-specific malware attacks. The situation may not be nearly as bad as for Window or Android, but prudence still dictates that you install antivirus protection on your Macs as well. Avast Security offers Macs protection against malware along with advanced features including a password manager and a network security scanner, all for a cost of exactly nothing.
- $0.00
- $29.95
- $49.99
- $39.99
- $44.99
- $99.99
- $39.99
Installation went quickly, though I did find I had to separately activate the password manager and the Online Security browser extension from the Tools page. You'll also find Avast's SecureLine VPN on that page, but it's not free like the others. When you click to activate, you get a choice of signing up for $2.99 per month or starting a 30-day trial.
Virus Scanner Free For Mac
The product's spacious main window features a large status indicator centered in an otherwise-empty white region, with a menu down the left side. It's a very different appearance from Avast Free Antivirus on Windows, which uses pops of purple and green on a dark gray background.
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 Cyber Security (for Mac),
Like Sophos and Avira, Avast offers full antivirus protection for free. Avast Security Pro (for Mac) costs $59.99 per year for one license or $69.99 for three. The Pro edition adds ransomware protection and real-time notification when new devices connect to your network. The free edition is strictly for non-commercial use; in a business setting, you must pay up.
Good Malware Protection Scores
When reviewing
It took years to develop my hands-on tools and tests for Windows. Most of them don't carry over to the macOS platform. Hence lab results become extremely important for my Mac antivirus reviews. Two of the labs I follow, AV-Test Institute and AV-Comparatives, test Mac antivirus, and Avast participates with one of them.
Experts at AV-Comparatives test Mac antivirus products using the latest macOS malware. They also evaluate each product's ability to detect Windows malware. Why? While a Trojan written for Windows wouldn't run on a Mac, the Mac could serve as a carrier.
Avast managed 99.9 percent protection against Mac malware. That's very good—better than most. However, Bitdefender and Kaspersky exhibited 100 percent protection. In the Windows malware test, Avast detected 100 percent of the samples. Most competing products also took 100 percent. However, Webroot only caught 75 percent, and Intego Mac Internet Security X9 got just 18 percent. Like most tested products, Avast received certification from AV-Comparatives for Mac antivirus protection.
Having one certification is good; having two is better. Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Sophos are among the products that received certifications from both labs for Mac malware protection.
Scan Choices
Avast offers several scans to improve your Mac's security. A full scan on the Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch that I use for testing took 14.5 minutes, just a hair over Intego's 14 minutes, and quicker than the 18 minutes required by Avira. The average for recent products is 24 minutes, so Avast proved quite speedy. Norton is the current speed champ, completing a full scan in 10 minutes.
There's a separate scan for removable volumes, though you can configure the full scan to include them. I scanned a thumb drive containing my Windows malware collection and found that it quarantined 85 percent of them. For comparison, Avira detected 82 percent of these, while Sophos Home (for Mac) wiped out every single one.
There's no predefined quick scan, which makes sense given the speed of the full scan. The custom scan settings confused me, though. As with the full scan, you can add file locations to exclude from scanning, and configure it to scan Time Machine backups. But the full scan's settings include those
You can schedule a daily, weekly, or monthly scan if desired. Settings for a scheduled scan include two additional choices. You can set it to skip scanning if your device is running on batteries, and you can have it wake from sleep if necessary, to perform its scheduled scan. Avira Free Antivirus for Mac not only offers scheduled scanning, it defaults to a weekly scan with no effort on your part. Sophos skips scheduled scanning, relying instead on real-time protection.
Network Security Scan
The final scan choice doesn't look for malware. Rather, it collects information about all the devices on your network and flags any security problems. On my own network, the scan finished in just under three minutes.
The scanner correctly reported that my main router has an open port that could theoretically become a point of attack. It's true that the port is open, as my ISP uses it to run remote diagnostics when necessary. But that function requires a key that only the ISP has.
More interestingly, it found serious problems with a network storage device (fortunately, one that I'm not currently using). Not only does this device have numerous open ports, it's vulnerable to a buffer overrun attack. Avast advised updating the firmware; I just unplugged it.
The report also serves as a list of everything that's connected to your network, identifying each by name and type. It's similar to the output of Bitdefender Home Scanner. With both products, I found devices with names like unknown6542990b6483—not much help! Bitdefender includes an option to edit the name and type, and it remembers your edits in subsequent scans. I'd like to see that ability in Avast.
Excellent Phishing Protection in Chrome and Firefox
In the Windows realm, one thing that differentiates Avast's premium product is better protection against phishing sites, those fraudulent sites that imitate secure sites and try to steal your login credentials. The free Windows edition scored very poorly, while the premium edition did an extremely good job. Based on initial round of testing, the Mac product's phishing protection, both free and Pro, seemed to match that of the free Windows product, meaning it's not very good.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner Free For Mac Vs Avast Free
I learned later that Avast's phishing protection is not fully functional in Safari. The developers are working on making it completely browser-independent. In the meantime, they advise using Chrome or Firefox. Norton was also having problems during my original test, so I tossed those results and started fresh.
My phishing protection test uses URLs reported as fraudulent, but not yet verified. Avast for mac found zhelan-gen2 on windows partition. /uninstall-avast-for-mac-passwords-but-keep-avast-itself-5038/. Typically, these are only a few hours old. That's
I simultaneously launch each URL in Safari on the Mac and in a browser protected by long-time antiphishing champ Symantec Norton Security Premium. I also launch each in Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer, relying on the browser's built-in protection. If any of the five browsers throw an error message, I discard the URL. A true phishing fraud masquerades as a secure site and tries to capture your login credentials. Any URL that doesn't match that profile also gets junked.
I've written a Windows-based tool that handles launching URLs and capturing results. On the Mac, I copy and paste each URL into Safari and manually record the result. /avast-for-mac-chest-6713/. When I have enough data, I dump the five reports into Excel for comparison.
The malefactors that perpetrate these phishing frauds are clever. They're always devising new techniques to get past security software. That being the case, I report results not as hard figures but as the difference between the product under test and the others.
Tested using Safari's incomplete phishing protection, Avast's detection rate lagged Norton's by 32 percent, and Norton itself was having a bad day. All three browsers soundly drubbed Avast. When I retested using Chrome, Avast tied with Norton and beat the detection rates of the three browsers. That's impressive. Of the Mac security products I've tested, only Bitdefender did better, beating Norton by 5 percentage points.
While phishing is browser-agnostic, phishing protection is not. Bitdefender beat Norton by 5 percentage points, but its Windows cousin more than doubled that gap. Even Symantec Norton Security Deluxe (for Mac) didn't detect many frauds that its Windows edition caught.
Site Rating and Do Not Track
Like McAfee AntiVirus Plus (for Mac), Avira, Trend Micro, and several others, Avast marks up results in popular search engines with green for safe, red for dangerous, and gray for unknown. You can click to vote a page up or down. Simple!
Clicking the Online Safety toolbar button displays the status
Digging into the settings for Online Safety reveals a hidden gem: SiteCorrect. If you mistype a site name, this feature offers to change to the correct name. You can even set it to automatically make the fix, with no prompt. However, in testing, I couldn't tease it into action. I tried pyapal.com, pcmga.com, whitehous.gov, wallmart.com, and many others, with no reaction from SiteCorrect.
Basic Password Manager
Like Avast's Windows antivirus, this product includes
There's no limit on the number of devices, and you can sync your passwords between them all, macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Avast doesn't keep your passwords in the cloud. Rather, it uses your Avast account to authorize syncing data that's stored locally on your devices.
Once you've enabled syncing on a device, that device becomes an authenticator for adding more devices. The new device displays a numeric code, and the existing device gets a notification with the same code. If the numbers match, just click to approve. What if you lose all your devices? On installation, Avast sends an email with a recovery link; don't lose that email!
On each of your devices, you create a master password to protect the local password stash. The master passwords need not be the same, but who'd want the confusion of making them different? Avast offers advice on creating a strong password, with a color-coded line representing the strength of what you've typed. It's not easy to get all the way to green, but Avast doesn't require it. In fact, it accepted 'Password' as a master password.
Avast offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. When you log in to a site, the extension offers to save your credentials. If you come back to the site, it fills your saved credentials. Clicking the key icon in one of the fields brings up a menu showing all the credentials you've saved. And it handles two-page logins like what Google uses.
Avast doesn't use the typical menu of logins attached to its toolbar button. Rather, you click the button and launch the main application. Unlike the Windows edition, this is a separate app, not integrated with the main antivirus. Its main window is seriously tall and skinny, like something you'd find on a smartphone, and you have only limited control over its size. Clicking an item opens its details, with a link to open the site itself.
You can also use the password manager to sync and share secure notes between your devices. These are simple, unformatted text snippets, suitable for saving such things as locker combinations and non-digital passwords.
Bitdefender Virus Scanner
The left-rail menu offers simple icons to manage passwords and secure notes, and one to bring up the password generator. By default, it generates 18-character passwords using all character types. You can set the length anywhere from four to 30 characters using a slider.
Avast analyzes the strength of your master password when you first create it, but not when you update it. Avast Pro Antivirus on Windows can analyze your passwords, flagging any weak or duplicate ones. The free Windows edition used to include this feature, but it was recently enhanced and redefined as a Pro-only feature.
Download Virus Scanner Free
This password manager handles all the basic tasks and no more. Fancy features like secure sharing, two-factor authentication, and password inheritance aren't here. But you do get it along with the antivirus, at no charge, so if it does enough for you, go ahead and use it.
Worth a Look
AV-Comparatives certified Avast Security as an effective Mac antivirus. Impressively, it offers a network scanner and password manager, features often reserved for full security suites. On the other hand, the password manager handles basic functions only—nothing advanced. And while Avast earned great stores in my hands-on antiphishing test, that function currently works well in Chrome and Firefox, but not Safari. But the pros outweigh the cons. If you're looking for free Mac antivirus protection, give it a try, along with Sophos and Avira, and see which you like best.
Free Virus Scan For Mac
For truly top-notch Mac security, you'll need to lay out some cash. Our Editors' Choice products in this realm are Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac and Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac. Both received certification from two labs. Both scored well in our hands-on antiphishing test. Bitdefender's AutoPilot mode means you can set it and forget it. And Kaspersky goes above and beyond feature-wise, with full-scale parental control, protection against webcam peeping, a network attack blocker, and more.
Bottom Line: Avast Security (for Mac) delivers effective malware protection along with unusual bonus features. Phishing protection only works well in Chrome and Firefox, but this free utility is still worth a look.
Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac Free
- $69.99
- $0.00
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is a fine application with excellent protection and some extra features. It doesn't have the number of extras we see in Bitdefender for Windows such as the vulnerability scan and Safepay. Plus, if you want Bitdefender's cloud-based parental controls you'll have to upgrade to the Total Security package. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is a fine application with excellent protection and some extra features. It doesn't have the number of extras we see in Bitdefender for Windows such as the. The on-demand support page of Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, however, is a bit bland. Granted, it provides what’s expected in terms of quality, but seeing that the software already comes with a detailed user guide, it seems unnecessary – unlike the company’s blog, where you can find news and trivia related to the world of internet security. Bitdefinder Antivirus Review: Price Let’s get this price issue out of the way. Bitdefender starts at $39.99 per year for one Mac, which is pretty standard fare(A free 30-day trial is available). Bitdefender also offers multiple-Mac/PC subscriptions, and there available Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition for Windows. For 3 Macs, its $59.99 a.
Cars fast as lightning apk. 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.
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 For Mac Reviews 2019
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
Bitdefender For Mac Reviews 2016
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.
Bitdefender Free For Macbook
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 visit.The Anti-trackers feature also keeps your browsing data far from prying eyes, and helps increase the loading speed of webpages.
Other Features
Blocks And Removes Annoying Adware
Bitdefender Shield
24/7 Security Updates
Direct Access To Bitdefender Support Team
Intuitive And User-Friendly Interface
Specifications
| Operating Systems | macOS X Yosemite (10.10) or later |
| Available Free Hard Disk Space | 1 GB Free Space |
| Safari | 10 And Later |
| Google Chrome | Chrome 56 And Later |
| Firefox | 52 And Later |
| Bitdefender VPN | Install On Intel-Based Macintosh Computers With MacOS Sierra (10.12 or later) |
How To Use
Think the multi-layered protection and cross-platform malware detection capabilities of Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac will work as an excellent security tool for your macOS device? Then go ahead and try it out!
Learn more about Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac‘s features and current price here.
If you’ve already purchased one, you may follow this detailed and straightforward step-by-step guide to get you started:
Installing Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac :
- To install the Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac, go to https:// central.bitdefender.com.
- Sign into your Bitdefender with your email address and password.
- Select the My Devicespanel, then click INSTALL PROTECTION.
- Pick two of these options :
Protect This Device :
- Select this option, then select the owner of the device. If the device belongs to someone else, just pick the corresponding button.
- Click SEND DOWNLOAD LINK.
- Type an email address in the corresponding field, then pick and click SEND EMAIL.
Remember that the generated download link you see is valid for the next 24 hours ONLY. If your link expires, you’ll need to generate a new one. Just repeat the above steps to get a new one.
- On the device you want to put Bitdefender into, check the email account you typed in, then click the corresponding download button.
- Run the Bitdefender product you downloaded.
- Complete the installation steps.
Installing Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac :
To install Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac :
- Click on the downloaded file. This will launch the installer. The installer will guide you on the process.
- Follow the Installation Wizard.
- You will see a Welcome Window. Click continue.
- Next you will see the Subscription Agreement. Read and understand the Subscription Agreement. The agreement is about the terms and conditions under which you may use Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac. From this window, choose the language you want to install the product in, then clickContinue, then click Agree.
- Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac will be installed in Macintosh /HD/Library/Bitdefender. This path cannot be changed.
- Click Installto start the installation.
- Wait until the installation is finished, then clickContinue.
- ClickCloseto close the installer window. Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac is now installed!
About Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac
Bitdefender is a Romanian cybersecurity and anti-virus software company that develops and markets anti-virus, Internet security, endpoint security, and other cybersecurity products and services. Bitdefender’s current CEO, Florin Talpes, launched the company in 2001.
Bitdefender uses Artificial Intelligence and other revolutionary technologies, to detect, anticipate, and block all sorts of online threats anywhere in the world, without slowing down the speed of their clients’ operating systems.
A frontrunner in the cybersecurity setting, protecting over 500 million users in over 150 nations. BitDefender has consistently delivered award-winning security products and threat intelligence for people, homes, businesses, and their devices, networks, and cloud services. Everyday, Bitdefender’s employees are guided by the company’s core values – innovation, and passion. Innovation and a deep passion are at the heart of Bitdefender.
Today, BitDefender is the provider of choice and is used in over 38% of the world’s cybersecurity solutions. Recognized by industry, respected by vendors, and loved by customers, BitDefender is the cybersecurity company you can trust and rely on to fight current and emerging threats.
Final Thoughts
After a thorough discussion of Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac‘s strengths, weaknesses, and overall features, we’ve come to the most important question of all.is it a worthy investment?
If you’re looking for an antivirus solution that reacts instantly to online threats with virtually no impact on your system’s performance, you will not be disappointed with Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac. Malware detection is what it is good at.
Bitdefender blocks, prevents, and detects Mac malware better than most programs, and brings an added layer of security to your system through its built-in vulnerability scanner. In addition, Bitdefender keeps files secure, protects your browsing activities, and provides anti-phishing protection. Another feature worth highlighting is Bitdefender’s Autopilot component. If this is your first antivirus solution, or if you are still learning about cybersecurity, the Autopilot feature will keep you up to speed, and keep your device fully protected.
All in all, Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac is a solid choice for keeping your device safe, BUT it’s lacking a few security bonus features, features that exist in Bitdefender’s same price competitors such as Kaspersky, and McAfee. For example, if you are a parent and you’re looking for a program with parental control tools, you might want to pass on Bitdefender, because it doesn’t have that. Firewall protection is also not included in this package, same with webcam spying protection.
In terms of the product’s cost, Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac is slightly more expensive than its contemporaries. A yearly subscription costs $39.99 on a single Mac. To protect two or more systems you’ll need to pay $ 59.99, which is $20 more. Kaspersy costs the same, but you get three licenses for less, just $49.99. Another competitor of Bitdefender, McAfee AntiVirus Plus, costs $59.99 per year, but that subscription includes protection for every Windows, Android, iOS and macOS device you own.
All in all, Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac scores high in terms of speed, accuracy, and multi-layered protection, but doesn’t have a lot of special features such as protection from webcam hijacking, parental control settings, firewall tools, etc. So, if you’re looking for those, we don’t think Bitdefender is right for you. In spite of all that, Bitdefender is still one of the best antivirus programs out there.
After reading this review, did it make you want to purchase Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac? Or are you still exploring and keeping your options open? If you are, feel free to browse other antivirus or internet security software for mac that we’ve listed on our website.
The last time we looked at Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac we had concerns. We found some protection issues that were later ameliorated, but we weren't impressed with the interface. That was more than two years ago, however, and moving into 2021 Bitdefender is an entirely different beast.
The interface has been totally overhauled, and it may be again soon as the current version on Mac is slightly behind the look of its Windows counterpart. Regardless, the basic structure is the same as what we have on Windows, and the new look is far better than what Bitdefender for Mac presented the last time we looked.
Malware blocking performance
More important than looks, however, is how Bitdefender performs. During our spot tests, Bitdefender had no trouble detecting and deleting malware after it was extracted from a ZIP file. There were a few instances where extra files were left over including some DMG files; but whenever we tried to install these they were either empty shells or Bitdefender immediately deleted them.
Bitdefender also did fine with third-party tests. Its weakest score was on AV-Test during its June 2020 test for the detection of widespread and prevalent malware. During that test with 83 samples Bitdefender scored 98.8 percent versus the industry average of 100 percent.
Bitdefender fared better on AV Comparatives' most recent Mac malware test published in June 2020. In that test, Bitdefender scored 100 percent for detecting Mac malware, potentially unwanted programs, and Windows Malware—preventing Macs from becoming carriers and infecting Microsoftian machines. Bitdefender was only one of three suites with perfect marks that included Avast and AVG. Kaspersky also had top notch protection for malware, but stumbled slightly on the PUA test. AV Comparatives' test included 207 Mac malware samples, 400 PUA samples, and 500 Windows malware samples.
Protection is good overall, though the AV-Test result was weak considering the norm is a perfect score. Still, that weaker score didn't prevent AV-Test from giving Bitdefender full marks in its overall score.
The bottom line is that Bitdefender's protection is solid and performs very well.
An improved interface
Anyone who's seen Bitdefender on Windows will immediately recognize the interface. The left rail contains four menu items including Dashboard, Protection, Privacy, and Notifications. This area also has a color coded system at the top. The usual green to say you're safe and red when there is a concern.
Reviews Of Bitdefender For Mac
The dashboard features a top area dedicated to Autopilot, Bitdefender's recommendation tool that advises you on the state of your Mac's security. This can included recommendations to conduct a full scan or enable web protection in your browsers.
Below that are five tiles including two scan options (quick and system), the length of time left in your subscription, turning the safe files ransomware feature on or off, and the browser protection feature for Safari (other browsers are also covered but we didn't install those on the test Mac).
This area is primarily a quick way to control all the key features of the suite and carry out critical actions.
Bitdefender For Mac Review
The Protection area offers an option for custom scans, and it also displays an overview of quarantined files and any files or folders you've added as exceptions during scans. This section also lets you quickly install the TrafficLight web browser malware blocker and the anti-ransomware features (Safe Files and Time Machine Protection).
Finally, we have the Privacy section with the anti-tracker for web browsers and access to the VPN. Bitdefender subscribers receive VPN access depending on their subscription. An Antivirus for Mac subscription provides 200 megabytes per day, per device.
The rest of the software includes a notifications area and Preferences section where you can turn on or off some protection features, as well as specify what Bitdefender should do with infected files and suspicious items. You can also turn off the in-product special offers Bitdefender might provide, as well as stop anonymous telemetry reports for the security suite.
Bottom line
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac costs $30 for a single year covering three devices. That's the introductory rate with the standard rate being $60 per year. For multi-device coverage there's Total Security that covers up to five devices for an introductory rate of $45 per year and then $90 after that. Finally there's Premium Security that covers up to 10 devices and offers unlimited VPN traffic for $90 for the first year and then $150.
Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is a fine application with excellent protection and some extra features. It doesn't have the number of extras we see in Bitdefender for Windows such as the vulnerability scan and Safepay. Plus, if you want Bitdefender's cloud-based parental controls you'll have to upgrade to the Total Security package. Still, at $30 (followed by $60 the following year) it'll do the job at a good price.
Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac Free Download 2017
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