antivirus for macos

[nshinka]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to run an antivirus on my Mac to see if it has some kind of virus, as it's overheating and suffering high CPU load, and I can't understand why.

However I don't want to Google up AV programs for Mac because there's so many scams out there like MacKeeper.

Anyone had any experience with Mac AV programs, either free or paid? Anything you'd recommend?

Thanks.

 

[Gregg2]

If the Mac's temp is over 104, and it aches and has a cough, it might be COVID-19.

I've never heard of malware causing a computer to be warmer than usual.

All A-V software for macOS can be called scams. There are no virus definitions for non-exist infections.

 

[millerj123]

Yes, look elsewhere for the cause of overheating and skip the anti-virus.

 

[Fishrrman]

Which Mac do you have?
What year was it made?
What version of the OS are you using?
Are you using Chrome, by any chance?
Have you tried the FREE version of MalwareBytes?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Fishrrman is right about Chrome…it's like malware on older Macs. I have a couple of old laptops that got hot and noisy when I ran it.

 

[nshinka]

Fishrrman is right about Chrome…it's like malware on older Macs. I have a couple of old laptops that got hot and noisy when I ran it.

Oh really. I've got a 2013 MacBook Air, is that would you'd call old in terms of this? And if Chrome is inefficient on Macs are there any browsers that are better apart from Safari?

 

[DeltaMac]

Have you checked in your Activity Monitor for processes that have High CPU, or high Memory use?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Oh really. I've got a 2013 MacBook Air, is that would you'd call old in terms of this? And if Chrome is inefficient on Macs are there any browsers that are better apart from Safari?

I don't know about that particular model. Low speed processor, integrated graphics. If you watch a full screen video in Chrome do the fans ramp up quickly compared to other browsers?

There always comes a time when a particular computer starts to get overwhelmed by everyday software. The only way I can watch full screen video on my 2009 MacBook Pro is with a web app browser I made with the Fluid app. Other browsers used to be OK.

 

[nshinka]

I don't know about that particular model. Low speed processor, integrated graphics. If you watch a full screen video in Chrome do the fans ramp up quickly compared to other browsers?

There always comes a time when a particular computer starts to get overwhelmed by everyday software. The only way I can watch full screen video on my 2009 MacBook Pro is with a web app browser I made with the Fluid app. Other browsers used to be OK.

A 2009 MBP was my first Mac. It makes me feel old to know it doesn't work for everyday tasks anymore

 

[Isamilis]

Have you checked in your Activity Monitor for processes that have High CPU, or high Memory use?

Agree. i would recommend OP for this first step. Check especially when the temp starting to increase.

 

[Macsonic]

I’m using Norton Security Anti-Virus , Anti-Malware. Looking at Activity Monitor, Norton uses around 8% of CPU usage while doing a full scan. While Norton is idle, CPU usage is lower at around 4%

I’ve tried a trial version of BitDefender but it made my CPU run hotter and slows down my computer while doing a scan .

 

[MaskedCarrot]

Go to www.eset.com and look at their Antivirus.

I've been using it for many years on my Windows machine and I love it. If I ever make up my mind to get a Mac Mini, I'll put on there also, being as they make it for Windows and MacOS.

 

[DeltaMac]

Eset?
I'm not sure that "works great with Windows", also would extend to other platforms. Just noticing that, even on Windows, Eset is just barely in top ten ratings of current AV software, even further down on the Mac platform (despite the fact that there are fewer worthwhile choices on the Mac.
I use Malwarebytes.

 

[MaskedCarrot]

Eset?
I'm not sure that "works great with Windows", also would extend to other platforms. Just noticing that, even on Windows, Eset is just barely in top ten ratings of current AV software, even further down on the Mac platform (despite the fact that there are fewer worthwhile choices on the Mac.
I use Malwarebytes.

Yes that is true. Just because I like it on Windows doesn't really mean it works as well on MacOS. But regardless of what people have been saying for years about not needing Antivirus on a MAC, well then good for them. I have been using computers since 1980 when I was 13, and I have been around the block quite a few times, and I feel it's a good idea to have one installed just to be safe.

As far as Eset being low in the ratings, well those are just opinions in those ratings articles anyway. A similar example would be WhatsApp. That's the most popular chat program pretty much world wide. Me, I prefer Viber and think that it's way better than WhatsApp. But again, that is just an opinion. Remember that WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, and we all know how much they don't value privacy.

I only use Eset's Antivirus, and not their whole suite of stuff. I find the interface clean, it's light on resources and does a fantastic job at what it does.