Best free antivirus for Mac: Avast Free Mac Security Many antivirus suites provide a decent level of protection, but a few rise above all others by providing the very best in performance. Top 10 Best Mac Antivirus Software 2018. There is always a question whether Mac computers need antivirus, however as many Mac users may or may not be aware Mac computers DO benefit from using antivirus software and there are many versions available that will go a long way to keeping your Mac safe and virus free. If you’re looking for an antivirus that is light on memory during idle and scanning, here are the top 5 antivirus that you might find useful for your slow computer. Remember, light doesn’t mean better detection rate, vice verse, heavy on memory usage doesn’t mean it is a good antivirus either. The best antivirus software for MacOS Home User During April and May 2018 we evaluated 8 home user security products for macOS High Sierra. We always used the most current version of all products for the testing. Bitdefender Antivirus is best antivirus for Mac options. Like Kaspersky and Norton, AV-Test’s lab, Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac blocked 100 percent of the threats thrown at it. Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac gets top marks from the independent labs and in our own hands-on testing.
Our devices carry most important and personal files and, become an important factor to protect PC and data with a good antivirus program. Best lightweight Antivirus software should be able to protect PC real time and remove any malware on the system with minimal resource use.
We are bound to select best lightweight antivirus software which stands the light, best and is able to efficiently do the job of blocking, detecting the virus or malware and detecting the virus or malware and fixing in case of a virus or malware attack. Each antivirus software varies in different terms such as memory usage, scanning time, weight etc.
Light Weight Antivirus Resource Overview
Lightweight Antivirus | Ideal | Scan | OS Supported |
---|---|---|---|
Avast | 9,706 KB | Mac, Windows, Android, iOS | |
Panda Cloud Antivirus | 9,706 KB | 76, 498 KB | Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS |
Microsoft Security Essentials | 70,484 KB | 79,103 KB | Windows |
Webroot | 3,823 KB | 9,949 KB | Mac, Windows |
Immunet | 40,413 KB | 63,475 KB | Mac, Windows, Linux |
FSecure | 62,042 KB | 92,386 KB | Mac, Windows, iOS |
ESET | 93,616 KB | 103,244 KB | Mac, Windows |
Comodo Cleaning Essentials | 39,664 KB | 105,317 KB | Mac, Windows |
However, we show a slight hesitation to “buy” security software. We are bound to go for the cheapest one in town. Each of these has undergone a set of malware tests to find the best and lightweight anti-virus.
1. Avast
Support: Mac | Windows | Android | iOS | (Ideal: 9,706 KB) | Download Avast
Avast is the number one platform for antivirus and anti-malware protection you must have on your Mac or Windows. Avast helps 230 million people across the globe to protect their files. The download is done in 3 easy steps: Run, Confirm and Follow the instructions. Avast also provides various other products for security scanning and network security. This is on the top of the list for antivirus software.
With only 10.1 MB for MAC devices and 4.83 MB on Windows; this lightweight anti-virus is the most sought software by almost everyone. This is the first name recommended by any professional seeking free and immediate security software.
ICSA Certified Firewall is also a highlight of Avast. In the case of Linux, an initial registration gives you a free trial of 30 days for non–commercial usage. It has an ideal working set of 9,706 KB and resets every 10 seconds for a scan working set.
Related: 6 Best Internet Security for Windows, Mac & Android
2. Panda Cloud Antivirus
Support: Mac | Windows | Linux | iOS | (Ideal: 9,706 KB | Scan:76, 498 KB) | Download Panda
Panda Cloud Antivirus claims responsible for detecting more than 250 million threats. With only 2.15 MB, this antivirus is definitely what many would recommend as lightweight protection. This is a light antivirus based on cloud computing, but powerful enough to protect your PC.
With built-in parental control and location service, this malware software takes care of your PC without exploding your memory usage. It has an ideal working set of 31, 714 KB and a scan working set of 76, 498 KB.
Related: 10 Best Android Antivirus & Mobile Security Apps with Antitheft Protection
3. Microsoft Windows Defender
Support: Windows 10 | (Ideal:70,484 KB | Scan:79,103 KB) |
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Microsoft Security Essentials products provide protection against malware in Windows 10. The built-in security software in all Windows 10 Pc help to guard against viruses and protect files from attacks. It presents a real-time protection for your PCs and is free. Windows 10 defender is a lightweight antivirus, which is built into the Windows 10 system, has a neat detection ratio and uses less CPU and RAM.
The Windows Defender software performed admirably well at the malware detection rate by scoring over 99.6 percent. Furthermore, the less intrusive interface is something which surely deserves some credit. It uses a memory of 4.28 MB during initial installation. For those who want basic security for their Windows 10 PC, Windows Defender is definitely the way to go.
Related: Windows 10 Defender Security Center Features to Protect PC
4. Webroot
Support: Mac | Windows | (Ideal:3,823 KB | Scan:9,949 KB) | Download Webroot
This wonderful lightweight antivirus ensures that none of your files are left detached and is protected from further attacks. Does not require any signature updates and needs only a small space on the disk compared to the others. Log into this wondrous site, to get a taste of trial version of the varied products.
![Best Light Av For Mac Best Light Av For Mac](https://www.gadgetraid.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/avira-antivirus.jpg)
This lightweight security software installation takes place within the blink of an eye and scans quicker than the blink. The performance is something which stands out from other protection software. Webroot takes up an initial memory 3MB which is a rough estimate. It makes use of 3,823 KB for Idle Working Set and 9,949 KB for Scan Working Set.
5. Immunet
Support: Mac | Windows | Linux | (Ideal:40,413 KB | Scan:63,475 KB) | Download Immunet
A cloud base, free and a community-driven anti-malware software, Immunet is an application that makes use of ClamAV and has its own engine too. The highlight of Immunet is that the signature file attacked by the virus is stored in a cloud and not on the PCs, so update downloads do not play the role.
Immunet has an Idle Working Set of 40,413 KB and Scan Working Set of 63,475 KB. Initial installation memory is about 557 KB.
Related: 10 Best Paid and Free VPN Services for Mac & Windows Users.
Best Av For Mac
6. F-Secure
Support: Mac | Windows | iOS | (Ideal:62,042 KB | Scan:92,386 KB) | Download F-Secure
Originating from Finland, this anti-malware software is the first antivirus software to establish a presence on the World Wide Web. It is known formerly for tracking the internet mobile security threats.
This antivirus software has a neat image when considered on the basis of malware blocking test. Fast scan, quick erasing of a virus are some of the rainbow features it has. F_Secure is supported on both Windows and MAC OS. Idle Working Set is 62,042 KB and Scan Working Set is 92,386 KB.
7. ESET
Support: Mac | Windows | (Ideal:93,616 KB | Scan:103,244 KB) | Download ESET
ESET is global level malware protection software that is known for its products for nearly two decades. Their highlights are firewall and antivirus products and are very well known for ESET NOD32.
Although certain reports give rash comments about easily hacking into this software, the range of products ESET delivers is of quality and can be trusted. Idle Working Set is 93,616 KB while Scan Working Set is 103,244 KB.
8. Comodo Cleaning Essentials
Support: Mac | Windows | (Ideal:39,664 KB | Scan:105,317 KB) | Download Comodo Cleaning Essentials
“Creating Trust Online”. This anti-malware software is giving out free products for Windows. MAC as well as Linux. It also gives various other products that have highlights of encryption of transmitted data over the internet and online storage for backup.
This lightweight antivirus roughly takes 24 MB to install initially. Idle Working Set is 39,664 KB and Scan Working Set is 105,317 KB.
Related: 7 Online Virus and Malware Scanners for Mac, Windows, Files & Websites
Lightweight Protection for older OS
Microsoft Security Essentials
Support: Windows | (Ideal:70,484 KB | Scan:79,103 KB) | Download MS Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials products provide protection against malware in Windows 7 and Windows Vista. They help to guard against viruses and protect files from attacks. It presents a real-time protection for your PCs and is free (Trial). Microsoft Security Essentials is not as lightweight antivirus, but this malware protection software is Windows built-in, has a neat detection ratio and uses less CPU and RAM.
Windows Security Essentials has recently failed certain experiments of the malware tests. An additional feature of status indicator is present in this software, to show whether the PC is protected or not. It uses a memory of 4.28 MB during initial installation. Security Essentials from Microsoft make uses of 70,484 KB for Idle Working Set and 79,103 KB for Scan working set.
Light Weight Antivirus for Windows and Mac
Total Av For Mac
The best antivirus should tick all the right boxes, it should update latest virus definitions regularly, able to protect system real-time and not take much system resources. Amidst all the software’s available, it is indeed quite difficult to come up with the best antivirus software right for the PC. With a lightweight antivirus, your hard disk is safe from running out of space from all those bulky antivirus software. Memory consumption is less and job done is more with less CPU Power. With double plus points, your PC is safe and will not overload the memory.
Tl98813 Mac Light
These are some of the few best lightweight antivirus software that you could try out. Many of them have a 5-star rating by rated professionals make sure the best virus protection, all comes down to protecting PC after all.