Best free virus/malware detection software?

[Cham2000]

During the following months, I'll be migrating all of my files from an old Mac running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 to a new Silicon Mac (probably the new Mac Studio). I would like to check that my files don't have any malware hidden (inside the files or inside the folders). What would be the best strategy for this, using some free software? Are there any malware/virus that currently could affect the latest Mac OS or the apps running on it?

I'm coming from some very old Macs (11 years old Mac mini and MacBook Pro with Snow Leopard). So what is the current status on malware on recent Macs?

 

[Gregg2]

Malware, yes; more specifically, viruses, no. Most members here are still recommending Malwarebytes. On another Forum, the preferred app is DetectX Swift. I think both have a free and a paid version.

 

[Fishrrman]

MalwareBytes.
The free version is all you need.

I think they're making it a little more "obtuse" to GET "the free version", vis-a-vis the subscription version.

The web page offers a "free trial" of the subscription version.
BUT... once the thing is running, there is an option to "convert it" to the FREE version.
At least that's the way it looks...

 

[TinyMito]

Best free is yourself stop downloading files from random websites or untrusted websites.

 

[christopherchristopher]

I have a 4 year old MacBook Pro and have much the same question - what is considered the best anti virus and anti malware solution to load onto this unit as I have let AppleCare lapse? Are not virus and Malware two separate problems necessitating two separate software solutions (or that's just marketing by the providers?). Can any of the aforementioned hijack your banking and account access data - resulting in possible monetary theft?

Is the thinking it is simply a case of staying current with Apple software upgrades (like Mojave) and running Malwarebytes from time to time? thank you for your answers, Christopher the neophyte on IT matters!

 

[christopherchristopher]

Further to the above - any views on the Webroot Scan internal feature on the MacBook Pro (which is now 4 years old) and its reliability? Any views on the TrendMicro product available on the Apple Store for these sorts of virus and malware scans? The comments on the Store about this brand are all years old and obviously makes one wonder if the product is that good and if Apple itself is very impressed with the brand!?

 

[KnownSyntax]

I've commonly used Trend Micro for my MacBook and other devices (check third party retailers like BestBuy/Amazon for the license since it's far far cheaper through them than it is through Trend Micro directly). Although as others noted, the best thing is to know every website you visit and not just click random links. I haven't used MalwareBytes for any Mac, although on Windows it's a solid free piece of software that picks up pretty much almost everything.

My use case is that I have a bunch of people who send me emails for work (freelance) related reasons, and although some email scanners on my email server remove stuff, others don't honestly detect everything and I would rather not have malware installed that could spread to other projects/people I communicate with.

 

[MarkC426]

These posts REALLY make me laugh.....???
People will spend £2k+ on a Mac but want FREE antivirus software.

How important is your system/data....?
This is half of the problem, if you go looking for free downloadable software, to save a few quid, that is where problems can come from.

 

[Cham2000]

These posts REALLY make me laugh.....???
People will spend £2k+ on a Mac but want FREE antivirus software.
...
This is half of the problem, if you go looking for free downloadable software, to save a few quid, that is where problems can come from.

The degree of mercantilism is really horrible, these days. There was a time in the Mac universe, not so long ago, when we had a lot of free and reliable services and products for our Mac. Remember the good old Disinfectant, on Macs with System 7, and its Monty Python cartoon? I guess you're too young (and I'm an old fart) to understand this...

Disinfectant should be resurrected from the grave!

 

[MarkC426]

If you just need to scan your current drives, you can get Intego Virus Scanner from the app store, which is free...
Intego have a full suite of software for protecting your Mac, for purchase so are a reputable company.

 

[MarineBand5524]

Here is what i use. And 20 a year is nothing.

Subscription​		Upgrade to Pro​
App​		Antivirus One - Virus Cleaner​
Content Provider​		Trend Micro, Incorporated​
Date of Purchase​		​
Subscription Price​		$19.99/year​

 

[EDK9Trainer]

Interesting timing as I was just wondering myself if what I have is optimal for the new 2022 Pro I have on the way. I have the Free version of Avira and the paid subscription to Malwarebytes. So far these seem to have done the job so it may make sense just to stay with them.

 

[AMacisforlife]

I rely on what macOS provides for AV (Xprotect etc.) plus Malwarebytes for other nasties.

 

[zarmanto]

... Remember the good old Disinfectant, on Macs with System 7, and its Monty Python cartoon? ...

I remember. I even used Disinfectant to clean a game that had made the rounds on the school computers.

Thing is, if I recall correctly, that was back when there were like thirty-something viruses on the Mac, total... at least, until Microsoft macro-based cross-platform malware came onto the scene and ballooned the threat by several orders of magnitude. Disinfectant was never designed nor intended to address those macros, and the developer discontinued Disinfectant explicitly because of them, recommending in his parting words that his users migrate to commercial options as soon as possible.

Even aside from those early macros, though: for better or worse, Apple is now a significantly more prominent target than it was at that time, so a single developer writing a tool that takes care of practically the entire problem on a platform is a much taller order, today.

That said; if you really want free, I would imagine* Apple's preinstalled Xprotect takes care of the worst culprits. If that's not good enough for you, maybe try out one or two of the free/trial options that have been offered herein so far.

* I can't honestly say for certain how well Xprotect works, myself, because I have never once actually found a virus or malware on my own Macs... only that one virus at the school, many, many moons ago.

 

[Fishrrman]

I, too, remember (and used) Disinfectant for as long as I could.

I reckon that today, "MalwareBytes" is as close as we'll get to a modern version of Disinfectant (although it doesn't do the same thing...).

 

[Gregg2]

+1
DetectX Swift is another modern anti-malware app that has gotten a good rep.