10 Apps to Defend Your Mac From Malware, Cyber-Attacks

There are myriad apps available to protect Mac users from security threats. eWEEK takes a look at some of the more effective apps available.

To protect against online threats, Mac users can try out Firewall CyberGuard. The app comes with a network monitor so users can analyze IP addresses connected to an access point. In addition, users can protect themselves against man-in-the-middle attacks and shield against spam and phishing. Firewall CyberGuard is available for $8.99.

AntiVirus Sentinel Pro is another paid app that’s designed to protect users against online threats, including identify theft and phishing scams. However, it adds in a scanner for adware and viruses, making it even more attractive. AntiVirus Sentinel Pro has a proprietary malware-detection algorithm and a handy user interface to complement its offering. It costs $9.99.

For those who want to keep their user credentials safe and sound, there’s 1Password. The Mac app, which goes for $24.99, is designed to create unique passwords for log-in credentials and then store them inside the app for safekeeping. It requires just one password to open the app, effectively eliminating any need to remember complex passwords. It’s a great way to protect against stolen credentials.

VPN Unlimited is another useful app for those who want to secure a connection to a corporate network. The app, which goes for $15.99 per year, is a full-fledged VPN, letting users anonymize their connections, jump on other networks and more. VPN Unlimited is an easy-to-use app and even includes a seven-day money-back guarantee if users don’t like it.

PrivacyScan could be a useful way to safeguard against apps that attempt to collect user information. The app roams the Mac to find apps tracking a user’s movements on the Web, caching files, and archiving cookies and temporary files. PrivacyScan is essentially a way to stay safe against spyware that wants to keep track of a user’s digital footprint. It costs $14.99.

TrendMicro offers a wide range of security suites for users. For the Mac, users can choose an antivirus solution to seek out and find malware. Like other apps, users can set TrendMicro to automatically scan for malicious files and update a database to continue to protect the machine against new threats. It costs $29.95 per Mac per year.

Panda is another antivirus application designed to protect users against malicious content, like viruses and spyware. The app runs in real time to provide ongoing protection and includes automatic updates. Discovered malware is automatically quarantined and can be removed upon detection. Panda pricing starts at $76.

In addition to the standard antivirus, McAfee offers Internet security, so users can safeguard against phishing attacks and even malware that could crop up on social networks. But like some of the other higher-end applications, it’s relatively pricey at $80 per year.

ESET‘s Cyber Security platform is designed with online security in mind. The app will of course fight the typical endpoint virus attacks, but it also provides protection against online malware, phishing threats and malicious links on social media. ESET says that it has optimized its user interface for ease of use and that its Mac platform offers cross-platform protection, so threats don’t move from a Mac to Linux. The app costs $59.99 per year.

While there may be some solid third-party apps that promise Mac users protection, Apple offers its own security tools. Not only does the company’s Find My Mac help users discover the location of their lost or stolen Mac, but it enables users to sound an alarm, lock it down or wipe it clean to protect against personal data theft. Best of all, it’s free.