
- Avast security review for mac for mac#
- Avast security review for mac manual#
- Avast security review for mac zip#
That would be expected when running free software, but not when you're paying already. Running Avast’s Smart Scan feature ends with a list of ‘performance issues’ and a Resolve All button that leads to an additional paid-for service. One thing we weren’t that thrilled about seeing in this paid-for product was how users are prompted to buy additional products, especially as part of the process of scanning and fixing issues. A regular macOS notification would be less obtrusive, but also easier to miss. This is done with a moderately large window that floats over all other windows and appears regardless of whether or not the application is hidden, ensuring that you don’t miss what’s been done. When the background scanning process finds something it regards as a possible threat it will try to deal with the issue itself and alert you. The File Shield background monitoring did, however, slow down file copying a little. Running scans can take a while, especially the Deep Scan option this took just shy of four hours to go through our test MacBook Pro’s SSD, but we were pleased to note there was relatively little impact on the Mac's performance while this was going on. Usability & PerformanceĪvast did very well with finding our various problematic test files and applications, which matches with the good test scores it got from AV Comparatives, an independent test organisation.
Avast security review for mac zip#
The options here are Targeted, Deep or Mac scan.Īlthough Premium Security can scan inside file archives (and the Deep Scan, Targeted Scan and removable volume scanning features have this option on by default) it’s worth noting that our password-protected zip archives weren’t checked. Click the magnifying glass icon next to this (yes, we agree this looks more like a ‘find’ feature) and you can also choose Deep Scan for checking your whole Mac, Targeted Scan for checking any place you choose, USB/DVD Scan for checking removable volumes, and Open Now, which despite its title is for scheduling scans.
Avast security review for mac manual#
This protects your Documents and Pictures folders by default – more locations can be added – against changes by software that isn’t trusted.Īs well as having the various ‘shields’ watch for problems as you work you can run a few different kinds of manual scans: Smart Scan is the default and looks in specific areas of your Mac where problematic files are most likely. The Ransomware Shield is listed separately from the Core Shields items. File Shield scans files that are copied to or opened on your Mac, Web Shield is dedicated to blocking script attacks and unsafe downloads, Email Shield watches for unsafe attachments, and Real Site helps protect you against fake web sites pretending to be legitimate bank or shopping portals. The Core Shields section of the software is where most of the protection features are found. Suspect items are quarantined in a ‘Virus Chest’ for later examination or are simply deleted.


It does all this in the background, and scans can be run manually to look through specific places on your Mac or its entire storage.
Avast security review for mac for mac#
Avast Premium Security for Mac is a security product that monitors your Mac’s activity and files, watching for a wide range of possible unwanted behaviour and threats including ransomware activity as well as browser hacks and actual unwanted programs, and it guards against ransomware attacks and keeps an eye on your Wi-Fi network as well.
