Most people I speak to think Macs do not get computer viruses.

Generally speaking that use to be true, but it was a matter of there was a lot less Macs out there than Windows PC’s so they where much less of a target than Windows operating system computers.

So now that Apple Mac computers do indeed get computer viruses, what is the best Antivirus program to use?

Although it is only a week into 2016, last years best and more than likely this years will be Avira Antivirus Free.

Avira can be downloaded here.

Avira

Avira antivirus has long been a standing leader focusing on protecting Windows based computers but it looks like they have turned their eye to Macs as well.

We did our own test on a Apple computer heavily infected with viruses, spyware and adware and was presently surprised with it 100% rate to find and quarantine ALL infections. This is probably the first time I have ever seen this in a Windows or Mac antivirus program.

We also really like the real time scan which would give us a real time view of files being scanned so we could see where we are up to. Although this is not really necessary it was nice to see and be able to track and see where the scan was up to instead of being left wondering.

Price: Avira is completely 100% free.

You might be thinking that nothing is really for free, how could they possibly making any money? They do this by also providing a browser support plugin which is sustained by paid ads. You do not have to use this plugin in your browser if you do not want to see the ads.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

The absolute deal breaker for me when using any antivirus program on any computer, laptop, tablet of phone is when it runs, does it slow my computer down.

Some antivirus programs are notorious for slowing down peoples computers, but no Avira. It’s light wait minimal approach together with a high detection rate and a very easy, simple and intuitive interface makes it a awesome antivirus choice for a mac computer.

Cons:

I am not thrilled about the ad support browser plugins. Like any internet user we are bombarded enough with advertisements, the last thing i want is them from my antivirus program as well. Saying that, they were not too intrusive and i didn’t see a lot of them.

For the life of me I can not also work out why there is no Safari based plugin, consider Safari is the native web browser app for everything in the Apple eco system.