Macs aren’t usually the targets of malware and viruses. That being said, we must remember that M2 Macs aren’t immune from attacks. While their built-in security features are enough to dissuade most cyber crimes, it is better to be safe than sorry. Hence, you should definitely get an antivirus for your M2 Mac.
So let us find out what are the best antiviruses on the market for Macs with M2 processors.
1. Intego Mac Internet Security X9
The Intego Mac Internet Security X9 has several qualities that help it bolster its claim to the title of ‘best antivirus for M2 processors’. The Personal Backup feature is a great addition to your Time Machine ‘braces.’ Mac Washing Machine’s (exclusive feature on Intego) cleaning, tidying, and speed optimization tricks are also available. To round it off, it also has ContentBarrier’s multi-user safe surfing intelligence.
The feature is convenient for parents who wish to protect their children from the varied cyber threats that await on the internet.
Best Features
- The NetBarrier feature protects your Mac from intrusion and outgoing attempts from rogue software.
- The VirusBarrier function is designed to scan and remove any virus or malware on your system.
Pricing Details
The personal package starts at $136.75/ month.
The family package for 3 devices starts at $184.67/ month.
The extended package, with 5-device compatibility, starts at $232.58/ month.
Free Trial
Yes. Has a 14-day trial period.
2. AVG Antivirus for Mac
AVG Antivirus for Mac is one of the free antivirus that is available for M2 processors. Although it is free, it has all the basic features of a proper antivirus. It can detect and block viruses from emails, websites, and downloads. It also scans each and every file and will remove malware and spyware from your Mac.
Best Features
- It is excellent at detecting phishing attempts.
- The user interface is simple and clear.
Pricing details
The paid version comes at a $2/ month subscription for a one-year period.
Free Trial
This antivirus has a free version.
3. McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection has got you covered if you are looking for a basic antivirus that will protect your Mac as you work. What the antivirus for M2 processors lacks in detailed activity reports, it makes up for it with total system monitoring.
Any attempts by harmful websites to trick you into software that you don’t need, virus attacks, or malware threats are all going to be covered by the antivirus while you keep on working. The performance of the antivirus can be not up to the mark at times.
Best Features
- The simple and automated operation of this antivirus is its best feature. You can work on your M2 Mac while the antivirus keeps scanning in the background.
- McAfee supports iPhones, iPads, smartphones, and Windows PCs.
Pricing details
For one device, the subscription rate is $74.95 for the first year and then auto-renews at $109.95/ year.
The plan for 5 devices is $84.95 for the first year and then it auto-renews for $159.95/ year.
The family plan, which supports 10 devices, starts from $94.95 for the first year and then auto-renews at $204.95/ year.
Free Trial
No. Does not offer a free trial but has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. Norton 360 Deluxe
The Norton 360 Deluxe is another popular antivirus for Macs with M2 processors. It has all the basic features that you can expect from an antivirus. It specializes in finding and terminating search engine hijack scripts. Hence it is effective against browser hacks, intrusion attempts, and malware.
It cannot seem to detect threats in zip files. This might be a point of concern for some users.
Best Features
- This antivirus for M2 Macs has a tool that helps you securely manage your passwords, credit/debit card details, bank details, and other sensitive information.
- The Data Protector feature foils ransomware attacks.
Pricing Details
The Norton 360 Deluxe is priced at $36.56 for the first year.
Free Trial
No. Does not come with a free trial, but there is a 60-day money-back policy in case you do not like the product.
5. Avast Premium Security
The Avast Premium Security is a great antivirus for your M2 Mac but it has an upselling issue. They keep pushing the Cleanup Premium feature and many users do fall for it. The primary reason is that File Shield monitoring slows down file copy speed and the manual scanning feature is notoriously slow.
The antivirus has great effectivity while searching for ransomware, detecting remote attacks, and safeguarding your Mac from browser script hacks and malware. There is an automatic background monitoring feature. You can also manually scan your system whenever you want to.
Best Features
- With the Wifi monitoring feature, you can protect your Mac from local network threats.
- The Real Site option tracks fake sites posing to be legitimate shopping and banking sites and safeguards you against risks that go way beyond some unwanted files on your system.
Pricing Details
The first-term price for Avast Premium for one device is $14.62.
For 10-device coverage, the first-term fee for Avast Premium is $19.49.
Free Trial
Free version available.
6. Avira Prime
Avira Prime antivirus is a security utility for your Mac with an M2 processor. This antivirus is designed to detect everything from simple scripts to redirect browser searches to actual malware. It has everything available in a single large window. Some of the features need to use a separate panel for a web-based console.
This antivirus does not look inside zip files and disk images. But as soon as you extract those, it immediately scans them.
Best Feature
- Has a no-limit VPN service.
- Offers protection for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
Pricing Details
The first-term fee of Avira Prime for 5 devices is $24.56.
Free Trial
Yes. Has a 3-month trial period.
7. Clario Antivirus 1.5 for Mac
Clario is a subscription-based antivirus for Macs compatible with the latest M2 processors. It is an all-in-one package of security, malware scanning (both real-time and on-demand), ad and website tracking blockers, a functioning VPN, and data breach monitoring to alert you in the case of a potential breach due to cyberattacks.
They also have a 7-day trial period to help you get to know the software before buying it.
Best Features
- The setup wizard is really simple and makes it really easy for any user to use the antivirus on their M2 Mac.
- Their 24X7 customer support ensures round the clock help with any queries you might have.
Pricing Details
The Cario Antivirus for Macs with M2 processors is billed at $107.88/ year.
Free Trial
Yes. Has a free trial period of 7 days.
Did we miss any?
Which antivirus do you use to safeguard your Mac with an M2 processor? Do you think that some other antivirus should be on the list too? I would love to hear your take. So, please let us know in the comments which antivirus you use that isn’t on the list and why it should be included in the list of best antiviruses for Mac.
I visited the Apple Community forum a few times. Mentions ANYTHING about anti-virus programs and users with years of Mac experience will immediately set you straight that you NEVER need an anti-virus program. I don’t understand why publications keep pushing anti-virus programs for Apple computers. Am I missing something?
Yes, and so are those users. The malware and virus threat to Macs has grown more than tenfold over the past two years, and security researchers (independent of the software developers who make and sell antivirus software) say it’s growing even faster.