Viruses, malware, ransomware and other malicious software for macOS are still limited. However, it is advisable to be careful, because it is certainly possible that your Mac will one day become infected with a virus. If you want to protect your Mac, you can use Mac Internet Security X9. In recent weeks we have tested this antivirus app from Intego in practice.
How does a virus or malware end up on your Mac?
Viruses, malware and Trojans can get onto your Mac in different ways. In most cases, the user himself is the cause.
Sometimes a virus or malware enters through Apps that have not been downloaded from the Mac App Store. Mac users who often download apps from ‘illegal’ websites where apps are offered, such as a ‘free’ version of Photoshop, are at great risk of infection.
And then of course there is email, by clicking on a link in an email, malicious code can be downloaded to your Mac. Then nothing happens until you try to open the downloaded file from the downloads folder.
There are many more viruses, malware and ransomware in circulation for Windows than for macOS. You won’t experience any problems with this on a Mac, because program code written for Windows simply cannot be executed in the standard macOS environment. However, your Mac can help spread it. For example, when you forward a file to another person, you may unknowingly transmit a Windows virus that will not affect your Mac itself.
Do you need an anti-virus program?
If you use your Mac sensibly and do not download and install illegal apps, you run little risk. In addition, macOS has a limited number of antivirus measures as standard. This is called XProtect and is part of macOS File Quarantine and Gatekeeper. Apps from unknown developers are blocked by macOS and you will have to start via a detour. This means that apps cannot simply be automatically installed on your Mac. In addition, the function automatically checks whether the software appears in a list of malware. If so, you will see a warning message stating that the software may damage your Mac.
If you want better protection against viruses, malware and ransomware, it is wise to purchase an antivirus app. A virus scanner is automatically updated and can scan your Mac in real time for malicious code and block access to it.
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Category: Anti Virus Valuation: Developer: Intego Limited time for €24.99 |
Intego Mac Internet Security X9
If you want to protect your Mac against viruses, malware and ransomware, you can use Intego Mac Internet Security X9. This app consists of two different modules. VirusBarrier a real-time antivirus scanner and the NetBarrier firewall.
How VirusBarrier works
The VirusBarrier module is Intego’s virus scanner, which checks your Mac for viruses in real time. Every file your Mac receives is immediately checked by VirusBarrier. If malicious code is found, you will immediately receive a notification and the file will be placed in quarantine. VirusBarrier checks your email, web browser and the macOS file system.
You can also choose to run scheduled scans, for example completely checking your Mac for malware and viruses every Monday morning. You also have the option to manually perform a Quick or Full scan. A full scan also checks the contents of compressed files such as zip and disk images.
VirusBarrier can detect Mac malware, Windows malware, Linux malware, hacking tools, keyloggers and suspicious scripts. You can choose to disable certain controls via the preferences.
With Windows malware you can prevent yourself from unintentionally forwarding a Windows virus to a contact. These are harmless for your Mac, but can of course be very difficult for the recipient with a Windows PC.
The virus scanner responds very quickly to infected files. For example, if you download the innocent Eicar test virus, it will be immediately detected and quarantined.
New viruses, malware and ransomware are spread on the internet every day. Virus definitions are added to the VirusBarrier app via automatic updates. These updates are automatically downloaded by the app.
NetBarrier firewall
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 In addition to the VirusBarrier virus scanner app, it also consists of a Firewall, the so-called NetBarrier app. With a Firewall you can control all incoming and outgoing traffic to and from your Mac. You start NetBarrier from the macOS menu bar, after which you will immediately see an overview of all active network connections used by apps.
If an app does not yet have permission to use your network connections, a pop-up window will appear. In this window you can immediately indicate whether or not the app is allowed to access your network.
It is possible to deny certain apps access to the internet or your local network. A general exception can be made for apps that have an Apple developer certificate so that they always have network access.
NetBarrier works with profiles, so you can, for example, create a profile on a MacBook for use at home, work or at a hotspot. This allows you to prevent certain apps from using the internet at work.
Conclusion
In principle, you don’t need an antivirus or virus scanner on your Mac. macOS is able to protect itself if you always install the latest software and security updates. In addition, you should use your Mac smartly and safely, do not install questionable apps, do not download anything illegally or visit strange websites. If you use a Mac with multiple people in your family, this will of course be a lot more difficult.
Anyone who likes to have a big stick behind the door can install a virus scanner. Mac Internet Security X9 from Intego is an excellent virus scanner and firewall app. Both VirusBarrier and NetBarrier run in the background of your Mac. Once set up, you won’t notice anything until a suspicious file is detected.
The VirusBarrier malware definitions are updated almost daily in the background, so you are protected against the latest viruses, malware, ransomware and other malicious software.
Mac Internet Security X9 temporarily €24.99
On the Intego website you can purchase a license (1 Year) for Mac Internet Security X9 (VirusBarrier and NetBarrier) from € 24.99.
You can also try all Intego products for free before purchasing.
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Category: Anti Virus Valuation: Developer: Intego Limited time for €24.99 |