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Avast Free Mac Security vs Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac (best free mac antivirus software)

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FREE / PAID
Freeware with in-app purchases for premium features. Costs $69.99/year for Premium Security.
Paid software with a free version. Costs $29.99/year for Antivirus Plus, $39.99/year for Internet Security, $79.99/year for Total Security.
Conclusion

👍 Avast lets you go above and beyond basic protection. Features include secure browsing and network safety maps.😀

💪 Bitdefender boasts multi-layer protection and it’s highly rated for it’s anti-phishing, and anti-malware capabilities! 😎

Avast Free Mac Security Pros & Cons

Top Pros
  • Efficient anti-malware 😃

  • WiFi network safety checks 👀

  • Web shield 🛡️

  • Email shield 📬

  • Advanced threats detection 🕵️

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac Pros & Cons

Top Pros
  • Powerful anti-phishing 💪

  • Non-stop protection 👮‍♀️

  • Ransomware protection 😲

  • Automatic updates 🔄

  • Secure VPN included 🌐

  • Time Machine Protection ⏳

Top Cons
  • Regular pop-ups to upgrade 🙄

  • Heavy system impact during scans 😱

  • Limited support options 😞

  • Lacks parental controls 👎

  • Additional features require purchase 💸

  • Extensive customization might confuse beginners 😵

Top Cons
  • Higher price range 😓

  • Limited features in the Free version 👎

  • System impact during full scans 😣

  • Lengthy initial scan 🐢

  • Limited VPN data in basic package 💔

Other best free mac antivirus software

3

😉 Avira does a good job scanning and removing malware from your Mac. Also protects from phishing scams. 👏

4

Sophos impresses with parental controls and remote management options, making it a good choice for families. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

5

🤩 Malwarebytes excels at detecting and removing adware and malware your Mac might pick up. Simple and efficient! 👌

FAQ

The most trustworthy free antivirus software for Mac includes Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. These two options have consistently received high reviews for their effectiveness in virus protection and system security.

While Avast Free Mac Security does offer comprehensive protection against most types of malware, it can’t cover more advanced threats such as ransomware. To secure full coverage, you may need to upgrade to a premium version.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac does have a free version, however, it often provides less comprehensive protection than the premium versions. For full features and the best protection, it is advised to consider one of their paid plans.

Typically, Avast Free Mac Security does not significantly affect your Mac’s performance. This antivirus software runs efficiently, allowing you to maintain a fast and reliable work-flow on your system.

The free version of Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac provides basic virus protection and safety from online threats. However, features like real-time protection and advanced privacy tools are usually only available with their premium plans.

Yes, Avast Free Mac Security provides a customer support system which includes online resources and email assistance for problem-solving and queries.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac regularly updates its virus definitions, which means it can protect your Mac against the most recent threats. Factors such as the severity of the threat typically determine the frequency of the updates.

Yes, Avast Free Mac Security does provide protection against phishing attacks. It scans websites for security risks and blocks unsecured and suspicious sites, offering robust protection against such threats.

The paid version of Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac includes advanced firewall protection, file encryption, password manager, and secure browsing. These enhance your defense against cyber threats.

Avast Free Mac Security is designed to be lightweight and not to heavily impact system resources. While running active scans, it may use more resources but generally, it has a minimal effect on system performance.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac requires macOS Sierra (10.12.5) or later. It requires 1GB of hard disk space and a minimum of 1GB of RAM.

Uninstalling Avast Free Mac Security can be done by opening the Avast Security app and navigating to the Menu bar at the top of the screen. By selecting ‘Avast Security’, you can find the ‘Uninstall Avast’ option. After confirming, the application will be uninstalled.

Yes, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac typically offers a 30-day free trial for their paid subscriptions, allowing users to test out their premium features before making a purchase.

Yes, Avast Free Mac Security has the capabilities to detect and remove spyware threats. Its software consistently updates to protect against the latest spyware variations.

Yes, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac provides excellent protection against ransomware attacks. Their advanced ransomware protection feature actively monitors your system for such threats.

It’s recommended to run frequent scans with Avast Free Mac Security, ideally on a weekly basis. Regular scanning helps to keep up to date with the newest virus definitions and ensure the system’s complete protection.

Yes, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac has a feature known as web protection that effectively blocks access to malicious, phishing, and fraudulent websites safeguarding your online browsing experience.

The software updates for Avast Free Mac Security are executed automatically. However, you can manually check for updates by going to ‘Menu’ in the Avast Security app and selecting ‘Check for updates’.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac does allow installation on multiple devices, although it depends on the specifics of your subscription plan. Some plans offer multi-device support, making it great for families or small businesses.

Yes, Avast Free Mac Security includes a feature called Web Shield that acts similar to a firewall. However, a dedicated firewall feature is only available in their paid versions.

There are many reliable antivirus software options for Mac. Some of the best free options include Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. These applications offer robust protection from malware and other potential threats.

Yes, Avast Free Mac Security is very reliable. It offers a high detection rate for malware and includes options for blocking potentially dangerous sites and downloads, ensuring your device remains protected against possibly harmful content.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac is highly rated in terms of security. It offers excellent malware detection and even protects against ransomware, which not all antivirus software can manage.

Both Avast and Bitdefender offer comprehensive protection, however Bitdefender is often hailed as slightly more robust, especially when it comes to ransomware detection.

Both Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac are straightforward to use. The interfaces are user-friendly and the software is easy to install and set up on your Mac.

Avast Free Mac Security comes with a host of features including quick scanning, custom scanning, and automatic scanning. Additional features include a drag-and-drop file scanner and an email scanner.

Yes, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac does offer real-time scanning. It continuously checks for any malicious activity in the background while you use your Mac.

While all antivirus software takes up some system resources, neither Avast Free Mac Security nor Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac should significantly slow down your Mac.

Frequency of scanning depends on your online habits and the current threat level. However, it’s a good practice to run a full system scan at least once a week if you use the internet frequently.

While Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac can both identify and quarantine harmful files, they may not be able to repair corrupted files.

Yes, Avast Free Mac Security allows you to schedule scans at your convenience, making it easy to maintain regular scans without forgetting.

Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac does offer parental controls, allowing you to manage what content is accessible to your children on the internet.

Both Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac take user privacy very seriously. They offer features such as safe browsing and safe online banking to maintain your personal information’s security.

Yes, both Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac provide protection against phishing attempts, helping you to avoid fraudulent websites and potential identity theft.

Yes, both Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac are capable of identifying and removing a wide range of viruses and malware from your Mac.

Most antivirus programs, including Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, prompt you to update whenever a new version becomes available. It’s important to update regularly to stay protected against the latest threats.

Both Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac offer web protection features, ensuring safe browsing and online transactions.

Yes, Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac both have capabilities to block potentially malicious websites, helping to protect your Mac from dangerous content.

The system requirements for both Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac can be found on their official websites. They typically require up-to-date OS versions and a certain amount of free disk space.

Most versions of Mac OS are compatible with both Avast Free Mac Security and Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac. However, it’s best to check the system requirements on their official websites to ensure compatibility with your specific version.