10 Free Security Apps to Keep Your Mac Safe

Your Mac device is already pretty secure with built-in security protections such as Gatekeeper and app notarization, significantly strengthening your online defenses. However, you should consider adding other handy security apps to your defense toolbox.

Mac devices are subjected to an evolving landscape of security threats and vulnerabilities.

Here are some of the general trends and statistics:

  • In 2023, the number of new macOS malware specimens rose by approximately 100% compared to the previous year.
  • Two main trends persisting into 2024 are Mac stealers and ransomware gangs.
  • The primary goal of Mac stealers is to gather private data, including certificates, cookies, passwords, and cryptocurrency wallets.
  • These threats primarily target data not safeguarded by macOS’s transparency, consent, and control (TCC) framework, which includes browser data such as history and cookies.

Essential Features in Mac Security Apps

The following are some crucial security features you should take into account when selecting the security app for your Mac device:

  • Antivirus Protection: Real-time scanning and protection against viruses, malware, spyware, and other harmful software are provided by Mac security applications.
  • Firewall: A firewall monitors all network traffic, both incoming and outgoing, and also stops threats and illegal access.
  • Safe Browsing: These security apps include safe browsing features that alert you if you land on potentially harmful websites and phishing attempts.
  • Anti-Phishing: Security applications with anti-phishing features identify and prevent phishing attempts, which are fraudulent attempts to gain private data like credit card numbers, usernames, and passwords.

With that in mind, we’ve highlighted some of the best security apps that can shield your Mac device from any malicious software that may arise.

Best Free Security Apps for Mac

Here’s my list of the best freemium security applications to keep your macOS beyond the grasp of viruses and malware.

1 . Avast Security

You can easily detect vulnerabilities in software, files, and apps by running smart scans with Avast Security. You can also analyze suspicious data stored in the cloud, receive threat warnings, and do much more with this tool.

Other additional features that Avast Security provides include the following:

  • Security for your Wi-Fi network: It guards against potential vulnerabilities in your network.
  • Protection against ransomware: Avast aids in thwarting ransomware attacks.
  • Alerts on data leaks: Should any data leaks be found, you’ll be notified.

To unlock unlimited features, you can upgrade to Avast Premium Security to access advanced security features.

Avast Antivirus Software
Avast Antivirus Software

2. AVG Antivirus

AVG AntiVirus is a comprehensive security solution that is trusted by 435 million users worldwide.

With AVG Antivirus, you can protect your files against ransomware, verify Wi-Fi network security, avoid fake and unsafe websites, and prevent webcam hijacking.

AVG Antivirus also offers Webcam Protection, which ensures no one can use your built-in camera without permission. In addition, AVG Antivirus comes in variants designed for diverse platforms and demands, making it suitable for both personal and business use.

Depending on the degree of security and extra features needed, you can select between paid and free versions.

AVG Antivirus
AVG Antivirus

3. Avira Free Security Suite

Avira Free Security is a robust application that incorporates performance, privacy, and protection. Avira’s free security offers threat protection against malware and vulnerabilities.

This security app blocks spyware, adware, and ransomware. It also offers real-time protection with cloud-based monitoring. Besides that, you can browse anonymously, encrypt web traffic, prevent data collection by companies, and secure your passwords using this security solution.

In addition, Avira Free Security provides automatic software and driver updates and alerts you if your data is leaked in a security breach.

Avira Security
Avira Security

4. Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes is an all-in-one cybersecurity solution that offers protection against malware, spyware, ransomware, and other security threats.

Malwarebytes also offers privacy and identity protection. In the event of any hacks, you are notified instantly, and it assists you in recovering your identity.

With Malwarebytes Premium, you get advanced features beyond the free version, including multiple layers of malware-crushing technology, privacy protection with web traffic encryption, and automatic software and driver updates for optimal performance.

Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes

5. Sophos Home Free

Sophos Home Free is a version of the Sophos Home cybersecurity solution that offers basic protection for personal devices such as PCs and smartphones.

This free version provides the following features:

  • On-demand malware Scan
  • On-access Malware Scan
  • Malicious URL blocking
  • Phishing protection
  • Behavior-based detection

For individuals or businesses looking to improve their online security without having to pay for a premium subscription, Sophos Home Free is the ideal choice.

Sophos
Sophos

6. ClamAV

ClamAV is an open-source antivirus toolkit for detecting malware, viruses, trojans, and other security threats.

ClamAV comes with command-line tools for on-demand file scanning, an automated signature updater, and a multi-threaded scanner daemon.

Besides that, it supports unpacking files and archives, as well as a variety of formats and signature languages.

Feature highlights of ClamAV include:

  • Free and open-source
  • High performance
  • Support for multiple file formats
  • Multiple signature languages
  • Supports file archiving and unpacking
ClamAV for Mac
ClamAV for Mac

7. MacPass

MacPass is a free and open-source password manager designed for Mac operating systems. It features a beautiful UI native to that of macOS, custom icons, a password generator, data history, tabs, autotype, and QuickLook. Other feature highlights include:

  • Free and open-source
  • Full KDB and KDBX support
  • Auto-update
  • History
  • Expiration dates
  • KeePass support
  • Synchronization
  • Drag & drop
  • Plugins
MacPass Password Manager for Mac
MacPass Password Manager for Mac

8. Encrypto

Encrypto is a free file encryption software for Mac and Windows operating systems. It features a modern UI with drag-n-drop support to allow users to conveniently encrypt and decrypt all types of files without prerequisite technical skills. Its main features include:

  • Beautiful user interface
  • AES-256 encryption
  • Password hints
  • Share files securely via Dropbox, AirDrop, Messages, USB, etc.
Encrypto Encrypt Files in Mac
Encrypto Encrypt Files in Mac

9. Objective-See

Coming in at #9 on our list is Objective-See, a unique recommendation because, rather than being a single application, it is a family of applications designed to tackle one security issue or the other. Other its belt are applications such as:

  • KnockKnock and BlockBlock, security tools that fish out software that repeatedly tries to install itself.
  • Dylib Hijack Scanner, a probing tool that checks vulnerable system files to confirm compromise.
  • Ransomwhere?, a crypto tool for monitoring encrypted files in order to alert users of suspicious activity.
  • Lulu, a network tool that prevents intruding malware from remote servers.
  • Lockdown, a lightweight audit tool for scanning and fixing Mac OSX configurations.

Objective-See has over 12 applications that focus on specific security threats. Head over to the website to see for yourself which one suits your requirements.

Objective-See - Security Tools for MAC
Objective-See – Security Tools for MAC

10. Syncthing

Syncthing is a free and open-source decentralized file sharing multi-platform software that works to securely sync files between 2 or more devices without the need for IP addresses or any advanced configuration. All communication is secured using TLS and each node is assigned a strong cryptographic certificate to allow for only explicit connections.

Syncthing File Synchronization For Mac
Syncthing File Synchronization For Mac

See Also: Best Free Antivirus Software for Mac

Security Check

If you are strict about the type of applications that are installable on your machine then you want to ensure that permitted software is restricted to downloads from the App store.

Head over to Security & Privacy from your System Preferences and turn on the firewall. This ensures that all applications that have been authenticated by Apple can install on your computer – reducing the chances of malware infection.

Mind you, all macOS applications are free to use with essential features coupled with a sleek, modern user interface. If you are interested in enjoying a more extensive feature list then you’ll need to shell out some cash for their premium version.

Divine Okoi is a cybersecurity postgrad with a passion for the open-source community. With 700+ articles covering different topics in IT, you can always trust him to inform you about the coolest tech.

Each tutorial at GeeksMint is created by a team of experienced writers so that it meets our high-quality writing standards.

4 thoughts on “10 Free Security Apps to Keep Your Mac Safe”

  1. syncthing is definitely a very cool and useful tool.

    For antivirus, I’d probably recommend the Sophos or Malwarebytes, although they each have different strengths.

    Reply
  2. Nice article! Though I was missing a VPN option in here as well. I’d say that privacy goes along with security (you can’t be secure if you have no privacy imo) and some options like Atlas VPN or Proton VPN would definitely fit the topic

    Reply

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