Sophos Antivirus for Mac OS X is a free program that scans for Mac and Windows viruses. I have been using in for over six years now. It has never detected a virus for Mac on my machine and probably never will because there almost no Mac viruses since the advent of Unix based OS X 10. Sophos has been working in the Mac AV field for some time whereas Avast is a new entrant. However, Avast 7 is my current pick of free AV programs for Windows with a deserved reputation for features and light impact on resources.
If you're looking to protect a family's worth of Macs with antivirus software without spending a dime, check out Sophos Home, which comes in a single bundles for both Mac and PCs. This free suite allows you to remotely manage up to 10 machines and even includes parental controls.
But while Sophos Home doesn't slow down your system as much as others, its malware-detection score -- which is OK -- is still behind many of its competitors' scores. We recommend Avast Free Mac Security as the best no-cost option, and Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac ($40 per year) as our Editor's Choice and best antivirus for Mac overall.
MORE: Best Mac Antivirus Software
Costs and What's Covered
Sophos Home is free, and its Mac version requires a Apple computer running macOS 10.12 Sierra or one of the two previous versions (OS X 10.11 El Capitan and 10.10 Yosemite) with 1GB of RAM and 1GB of free disk space. Avast version for mac.
Up to 10 Macs or PCs can be linked together under a single Sophos account for remote management of a household.
Antivirus Protection
Sophos Home uses traditional signature-based malware identification and heuristic behavioral-based monitoring to identify suspicious files. It can thwart Windows malware as well help stop the spread of malware for that platform.
Not only does Sophos constantly scan your computer and its connections in the background, but its web interface enables on-demand scans from remote locations. The utility also scans unopened archive files such as ZIPs.
Antivirus Performance
The Germany-based AV-Test testing lab evaluated Sophos Home for Mac's malware-detection skills and found decent, but far from perfect, protection.
In AV-Test's May 2017 studies, it found that Sophos Home detected 98.4 percent of Mac malware, which translates to catching 181 pieces of malware and failing to detect three. That's not terrible, but Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac, Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac and Norton Security Deluxe detected 100 percent of malware thrown at its Macs in those same tests.
Austria's AV-Comparatives lab tested a series of Sophos Home's competitors -- but not Sophos Home itself -- in July 2017. Two of the free options it tested (Avast Free Mac Security and AVG AntiVirus for Mac) detected 99.9 percent of malware, catching 686 out of 687 malicious files.
Special Features
Unlike other free Mac antivirus solutions, Sophos Home is rich with bonus features. Chief among them is remote management from the Sophos Home web page, so you can check on your machine -- and up to nine others linked to your account -- from the field.
Additionally, those with children coming of age will appreciate Sophos Home's parental controls. (Of the eight Mac antivirus products we tested, only Sophos, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac and Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac provide them.)
Not only can you block an account from visiting entire categories of websites, but it keeps records of each attempt to navigate to a unapproved page. Alternatively, users can be allowed to visit a page after being given a warning that Sophos will make a note of their visit in the parent's log if they proceed.
Sophos' competitors pack browser plugins to flag untrustworthy search-engine results, but don't be annoyed that Sophos doesn't. Those extensions can be downloaded for free from those manufacturers, which include Avast, Bitdefender and Kaspersky.
Performance and System Impact
Sophos Home created a comparatively low impact on system performance. We assessed this using our custom OpenOffice benchmark test, which measures how long it takes to match 20,000 names and 20,000 addresses on a spreadsheet. Our test machine was a Late 2013 MacBook Pro with Retina Display with a 2.6 GHz Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 70GB of data stored on a 512GB SSD.
After we installed Avast Free Mac Security on our MacBook, the OpenOffice test finished in an average of 2 minutes and 24 seconds, 1.75 seconds longer than the same system took before the installation. That's a passive system hit of 1.2 percent, which is the middle of the bottom half of the range that we found.
By contrast, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac rated 2.8 percent (a category high) and Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac rated 0 percent (the lowest), but you really wouldn't notice any effect on your system.
During a full-system scan, the OpenOffice test finished in 2 minutes and 31.25 seconds, signifying a performance dip of 6.3 percent, the second lowest of those we found. Avira Free Antivirus for Mac's 12.8 percent is the highest, with Kaspersky's 4.5 percent the lowest.
Sophos Home's full-scans completed in an average of 40 minutes and 51 seconds, which falls in the middle of the times we recorded. By contrast, the longest time we saw was 72:45 (Kaspersky), and the shortest was 1:25 (recorded by Bitdefender). The average for all eight products was 36:30.
Interface
Sophos' main window allows you to perform on-demand scans and check the status of your machine, but most of its controls are found in the Sophos Home web interface. For example, while Sophos' on-machine main screen features an Exceptions button, clicking that only shows you which exemptions you've set for websites, applications and files.
To visit the web interface, click Home Dashboard in the main screen and click on your Mac to see its status. Here you can click Scan to perform a remote scan, or click Configure to set parental controls, change scanning preferences and set up exceptions.
Installation and Support
Clicking Download on the Sophos Home web page starts a download of the folder containing the suite's installer file. After opening that installer, it takes approximately 3 minutes for Sophos Home for Mac to be up and running.
As is the case with most free Mac antivirus software, Sophos does not offer any personal technical support with this product. Instead, you'll need to turn to Sophos' community forums and knowledge-base documentation to have your questions answered.
Bottom Line
Sophos For Mac Review
Sophos Home for Mac is a solid plan for families, especially those on a tight budget. Not only does it pack remote management and parental controls, but its easy one-click scans make it simple enough for anyone to use.
If only its malware detection score were closer to (or at) 100 percent, it would be a serious contender. That's how tight the race to be the best Mac antivirus suite has gotten. Because of this, we prefer Avast Free Mac Security or the paid Kaspersky Internet Security for Mac.
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By now, you should know that Macs need antivirus software, but which one should you choose? There are lots of Mac-specific security apps, and it can be difficult to tell them apart, so we’ve done the research for you. These nine security suites will help you stay free of viruses, trojans, and all other sorts of malwareWhat Is The Difference Between A Worm, A Trojan & A Virus? [MakeUseOf Explains]What Is The Difference Between A Worm, A Trojan & A Virus? [MakeUseOf Explains]Some people call any type of malicious software a 'computer virus,' but that isn't accurate. Viruses, worms, and trojans are different types of malicious software with different behaviors. In particular, they spread themselves in very..Read More.
Of course, to make sure you’re really secure, you should also disable JavaDisable Java on Mac OS X for a Secure SystemDisable Java on Mac OS X for a Secure SystemMacs are generally secure, but Java has been causing security problems for years. It's finally time to get rid of Java on your Mac; here's how.Read More, know which sites are likely to infect youWhich Websites Are Most Likely to Infect You with Malware?Which Websites Are Most Likely to Infect You with Malware?You might think that porn sites, the Dark web or other unsavory websites are the most likely places for your computer to be infected with malware. But you would be wrong.Read More with malware, beware of malicious browser extensions4 Malicious Browser Extensions That Help Hackers Target Their Victims4 Malicious Browser Extensions That Help Hackers Target Their VictimsYou'd be wrong to think all browser extensions are designed to help you. Whether extensions exploit vulnerabilities or send data to hackers, it's time to be vigilant about how you enhance your browser.Read MoreAvast end point managed for mac. , and take the other standard precautions.
1. BitDefender
Consistently rated as one of the top antivirus options for Mac, BitDefender has a solid reputation for both malware detection and system performance. In 2015, it detected 100% of threats tested by AV-Test, and 99% of those tested by AV Comparatives (though AV Comparatives notes that the definitions were quickly updated). It even detected 100% of Windows-based threats.
In AV-Test’s system performance test, BitDefender was only 12% slower than a Mac with no antivirus software in copying over 26GB of data, calculating MD5 check sumsWhat All This MD5 Hash Stuff Actually Means [Technology Explained]What All This MD5 Hash Stuff Actually Means [Technology Explained]Here's a full run-down of MD5, hashing and a small overview of computers and cryptography.Read More, and downloading test files, making it one of the fastest options out there. The exemplary malware detection combined, low system load, and adware removal earn BitDefender the #1 spot on the list. Of course, you can’t get this level of performance for free: BitDefender will cost $40 per year for a single Mac, and $60 annually for up to three Macs.
2. Symantec Norton Security
Although Symantec’s home security solution for Mac was only assessed by one of the testing organizations (AV-Test), its results were so impressive that it gets the #2 spot on this list. It detected 100% of the presented threats, and Norton is so confident in their product that if you get a virus that Norton techs can’t remove, they’ll give you a full refund.
Norton’s impact on system speed was exactly the same as BitDefender in AV-Test’s comparison, tying it for the #1 spot in effective antivirus packages (there were two pieces of software that were faster, but they detected fewer threats in the test). As with BitDefender, this performance will cost you: you’ll pay $40 for the first year, and $60 after that for a single computer.
3. Kaspersky
With 100% detection rates across the board, including Windows-based threats, Kaspersky will definitely keep your computer safe. The software also includes Kaspersky’s “Safe Money” features, which are meant to help improve your security while you’re shopping onlineHow to Safely Buy Online with Privacy & SecurityHow to Safely Buy Online with Privacy & SecurityCompeting with established online stores are smaller, lesser known businesses trying to compete. But can you trust them with your Visa details? And how can you better protect yourself when shopping online?Read More or using online banking features. In addition to all of these protections, it also has parental controls for keeping kids out of the darker parts of the web where they shouldn’t be, something neither BitDefender nor Symantec offers. https://keenlightning.weebly.com/avast-resuce-disk-for-mac.html.
Sophos For Mac Free Download
This software does have more of an impact on your system performance, though. It was 53% slower than reference on the AV-Test comparison, which is a very large margin. Tom’s Guide also performed a speed test, and while the slowdown wasn’t quite as drastic, it did have an effect. Its quick scan put more of a burden on the system than Avira’s, but its full scan was less resource-intensive, which is why it gets the third spot in the list. The price isn’t bad, either: $30 for a year on a single computer, then $40 per year thereafter.
4. Avast
100% detection rates on both AV-Test and AV Comparatives’ tests as well as a relatively low system-resource footprint earns Avast the highest rating of the free antivirus options for Mac. Its great ability to detect malware on your Mac is in part due to the fact that 230 million users worldwide provide data on threats, helping Avast react and update to new threats very quickly.
While the system performance report on AV-Test is difficult to interpret, as Avast was scanning during the download phase while other software was not, the other system performance results are encouraging. Tom’s Guide showed slower performance during background operation than Avira, but faster operation during a full scan. If you’re particularly concerned about speed, and are looking for a free solution, it’s probably best to install Avira and Avast in turn, and run a speed test for both.
5. Avira
Another popular free antivirus app for Mac, Avira caught 99% of Mac threats and 100% of Windows threats in the AV Comparatives test, as well as 100% of tested threats in the AV-Test comparison. If the counter on Avira’s website is to be believed, there are over over 450,000,000 installs of Avira around the world, regularly providing insights into new threats.
Speed tests for Avira generally place it in the same ballpark as Avast, though it still shows a 42% slowdown in the copying/checking/downloading test from AV-Test. Its background-run speed test from Tom’s Guide was tied for the least system-resource-intensive with Kaspersky, and its quick scan had the best time of all the software tested. Its full scan, however, was quite resource-intensive; it had the largest effect of any software tested. Again, if you’re trying to decide between Avast and Avira, you may want to test for yourself.
6. Sophos
Although there’s disagreement about where Sophos should be placed in the lineup of the best Mac antivirus software, there’s little disagreement that it works well: both AV-Test and AV Comparatives showed 100% detection ratings (Tom’s Guide discovered lower detection rates, but because the other two groups are industry leaders, their findings have figured more strongly in this ranking).
System resource usage is less clear. Tom’s Guide showed it as fast, but not blazing fast, and AV-Test found a 21% slowdown in their test tasks. Sophos has a bit of a reputation for slowing down Macs, but it’s quite possible that these issues have been resolved. Issues with speed may be more evident on older MacsSpeed Up an Old Mac with These Tricks [Mac OS X]Speed Up an Old Mac with These Tricks [Mac OS X]Given time, the performance of any computer will tend to degrade - even Macs (gasp!). Years of improperly un-installing applications can leave your drive littered with preference files and resources that are no longer needed..Read More, too. As with Avast and Avira, if you’re concerned about speed, you may want to test it out for yourself (personally, I didn’t notice much of a slowdown when I used it).
7. AVG
AVG scored a perfect 100% on both the Mac- and Windows-based threat detection tests from AV Comparatives, though it wasn’t tested by AV-Test. Despite only being tested by one group, AVG’s detection rates are so good—especially for a free antivirus app—that it gets a spot on the list.
Not being tested by AV-Test, we have no system resource usage results to report here—Tom’s Guide didn’t test AVG, either. However, its very nice-looking and easy-to-use interface does stand out as very useful. If you have any experiences with AVG, please let us know in the comments below!
8. ESET
Full 100% marks in threat detection from AV-Test and AV Comparatives show that ESET is a solid option for protecting your Mac from what’s out there, and the pro version also packs a personal firewall and parental controls, which those with youngsters will appreciate. You also get priority access to the ESET support team for any technical issues you may come across, which is nice.
A 25% slower system test in AV-Test’s comparison makes ESET one of the more—but not the most—resource-intensive security apps out there. Combining that with a cost of $40 for a year, or $60 for two years, means that ESET probably isn’t the best choice for most people (the parental controls on the pro version, though, may be enough to tip the scales in its favor).
9. MalwareBytes
Sophos Antivirus
The only reason MalwareBytes is so far down the list is because it wasn’t included in any of the tests that we referenced for the rankings in this article, though it does come recommend by our own Justin PotHere's The Only Mac Security Software You NeedHere's The Only Mac Security Software You NeedFor most people, OS X is fairly secure out of the box — and there are a number of programs out there that potentially do more harm than good.Read More (and it’s one of the best Mac apps of 2015The Best Mac Apps of 2015 (And Our Favorite Updates)The Best Mac Apps of 2015 (And Our Favorite Updates)Brilliant calendar apps, feature-rich Twitter apps, a whole new Office experience, and a sassy way to find out the weather, were just some of the best OS X apps released or updated this year.Read More). The company does have a good reputation for being secure and effective, and the app itself is very small, leaving more room for the important things on your Mac.
MalwareBytes specializes in adware removal, so if that’s a concern of yours, this may be a good option. According to the website, it completes a scan in under six seconds, which is impressively fast. If you have any experience with MalwareBytes, let us know!
Free Apps Are Great, But Paid Are Better
Most people will probably choose to go with Avast or Avira to protect their Mac, as their high levels of detection, low levels of system load, and $0 price tags are difficult to beat. If you’re looking for maximum system performance, though, BitDefender or Symantec will be your best options. With new types of threats being developed all the time and the explosion of malvertisingMeet Kyle And Stan, A New Malvertising NightmareMeet Kyle And Stan, A New Malvertising NightmareRead More as an important attack vector, protecting your Mac is crucial. You really can’t go wrong with any of the entries on this list, so pick one and make sure you’re protected!
What do you use to protect your Mac from online threats? Has it been effective? Have you noticed any system slowdowns? Share your experiences below!
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Avast Vs Sophos For Mac
I have been using the desktop version of Sophos for Mac Free Edition since it came out I think in 2011. In my non-techie eyes it seems not to be a resource hog, runs in the menu bar. Sophos is primarily a maker of enterprise anti-virus software but gives the free version to its Mac users. Along with Anti-Malware Bytes + CCleaner, I seem to have kept my Mountain Lion OS free of Malware. Also there is a fabulous security site 'grc.com' where you can run 'Shields Up' to see if any of your ports are vulnerable. My, so far, shows that my iMac is at full stealth, apparently, to a hacker, my computer seems not to exist on the internet.
Hard to take this list seriously when it doesn't include Intego.
Great rundown, Dann. However, readers need to be aware of something about Avast: 'To detect malware and threats on HTTPS sites, Avast must remove the SSL certificate and add its self-generated certificate.' If you trust Avast, this is all well and good, but if Avast every gets hacked, their users are in trouble. The only way I found out about this was because Agilebits.com, the maker of 1Password, wouldn't open with Avast web shield enabled. You can read more about it here: https://discussions.agilebits.com/discussion/comment/264053/#Comment_264053. I recommend readers stick with Avira or Sophos, if they're looking for a free app. Malwarebytes is also good, but it just looks for adware.
Derp im a mac user my life is about getting tricked into buying things I dont need, and getting overcharged durp.
i don't understand your troll. Are you saying that Macs are bad, their users, or that Macs don't need antivirus?
Please clarify your stellar contribution to this conversation.