Viruses, malware, ransomware, and other malicious software for macOS are still limited. However, it is advisable to be careful, because it is very possible that your Mac will one day be 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 a virus or malware gets on your Mac
Viruses, malware, and trojans can end up on your Mac in different ways. In most cases, the user is the cause.
Sometimes a virus or malware enters via apps that were not downloaded from the Mac App Store. Mac users who often download apps from ‘illegal’ websites that offer apps, 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 there is nothing wrong until you try to open the downloaded file from the downloads folder.
For Windows, there are many more viruses, malware, and ransomware in circulation than for macOS. On a Mac, you will not experience any problems because program code written for Windows simply cannot be executed in the standard macOS environment. However, your Mac can help spread them. For example, when you forward a file to another person, you can unknowingly transmit a Windows virus that does not affect your Mac itself.
Do you need an anti-virus program?
If you use your Mac wisely and do not download or install illegal apps, you run little risk. In addition, macOS has a limited number of antivirus measures by default. 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 them via a detour. This prevents apps from being automatically installed on your Mac. In addition, the function automatically checks whether the software is on a list of malware. If so, you will see a warning with the message that the software can harm 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.
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 is a real-time antivirus scanner and the NetBarrier firewall.
How VirusBarrier Works
The VirusBarrier module is Intego’s virus scanner, it checks your Mac for viruses in real-time. Every file that your Mac receives is checked immediately by VirusBarrier, if malicious code is found you will receive a notification immediately and the file will be placed in quarantine. VirusBarrier checks your e-mail, web browser, and the macOS file system.
You can also choose to perform scheduled scans, for example, every Monday morning your Mac will be fully checked for malware and viruses. 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 checks using your preferences.
With Windows malware, you can prevent yourself from accidentally forwarding a Windows virus to a contact. These are harmless for your Mac, but can of course be very annoying for the recipient with a Windows PC.
The virus scanner reacts very quickly to infected files. For example, if you download the innocent Eicar test virus, it is immediately detected and quarantined.
Every day new viruses, malware, and ransomware are spread on the internet. With virus definitions, these are added to the VirusBarrier app via automatic updates. These updates are automatically downloaded by the app.
NetBarrier firewall
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 consists of the VirusBarrier virus scanner app as well as 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 that are 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 directly 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. For apps that have an Apple Developer certificate, a general exception can be made so that they always get network access.
NetBarrier works with profiles, so you can create a profile on a MacBook for use at home, at work, or on a hotspot. This allows you to prevent certain apps from using the internet at work.
Conclusion
In principle, you do not 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 be smart and safe with your Mac, do not install dubious apps, download anything illegal, or visit strange websites. If you use a Mac with multiple people in your family, this will be a lot more difficult.
Those who like to have a stick behind the door can install a virus scanner. Mac Internet Security X9 from Intego is a great virus scanner and firewall app. Both VirusBarrier and NetBarrier are active in the background of your Mac. Once set up, you won’t notice anything, until a suspicious file is detected.
VirusBarrier malware definitions are updated almost daily in the background, protecting you from 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) for € 24.99.
