Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Avira Free Security for Mac seems to offer a lot of feature article for free . But most actually need a paid subscription , so the ware ’s overall utility is modified .
Some complimentary security programs come along to bid an array of features beyond just basic antivirus protection . But when you stab deeply , you happen that most of those extra , modern selection actually require a pay subscription . Such is the case with Avira Free Security for Mac . gratuitous for rest home use , Avira Free Security start off with antivirus protection but then lists a VPN , password director , web browser cookie cleaner , rubble file cleaner , lotion uninstaller , startup manager , and PC performance champion . All of these features pop up in the programme ’s fascia , but only a few are actually accessible in the free product .
For choice , see our roundup of thebest antivirus software for Mac .
Avira’s Smart Scan checks for security, privacy, and performance issues. But resolving most of them requires an upgrade to one of the paid editions.
Installation and operation
TheAvira Free Security for Macinstallation is quick and painless , although , as with all antivirus programme on macOS , however , you have to change some organisation scene during installing . The mental process directs you to the specific preferences on your Mac that must incur license for Avira to set up . After the initial setup , the computer programme invites you to run a smart scan on your Mac to check for any security or privateness issues and any operation concerns .
The first fourth dimension I bleed the voguish scan on my Mac , Avira grab 44 tracking cookies and informed me that my e-mail was not being monitored for phishing endeavour . It also promise that it could free up 2.6 GB of disk space . Further detail identified one of the privacy issues as track cookies in Chrome and the disk infinite clutter as cache files , log , and general trash . I could check or uncheck any of these choice and then secernate Avira to fix the issues .
However , here ’s where the first sales pitch kicked in . The spare version of Avira identified the topic find in the smart scan . But to actually clean up anything beyond the junk files would have required one of the paid editions — Avira Internet Securityat $ 34.99/£22.99 for the first class orAvira Primeat $ 59.99/£51.99 for the first year .
Avira’s Smart Scan checks for security, privacy, and performance issues. But resolving most of them requires an upgrade to one of the paid editions.
Foundry
Features & Interface
The user interface of the free variation list the functions of the paid reading , which can be a small confusing as only half of the listed functions can in reality be used . However , the free interpretation offers all the important scan function , including “ Quick Scan ” which checks the most vulnerable areas in a few hour , and the complete CAT scan or manual and time scan .
Though the smart scan ’s usefulness is limited unless you project to upgrade to one of the paid version , the program ’s dashboard seems to bid access code to a variety of impressive prick , all organized into three main category : Security , Privacy , and Performance .
Under Security is virus scanning . Here , you may ladder a quick CAT scan to check out system files and other vulnerable area or a full CAT scan to analyze your entire Mac for malware . With both eccentric of scans , you ’re able to schedule a scan to pass daily , hebdomadal , or monthly . Plus , you’re able to create a impost scan to bet only at certain brochure .
With Avira’s antivirus tool, you can run or schedule a quick scan and a full scan and create a custom scan to check specific folders.
By default , the tangible - time virus protection scans any newfangled file saved to your computer as well as files download from the net . Scanning USB drive is listed as another choice , but that requires one of the paid Avira products . Any malware happen upon is automatically quarantined for you to inspect it . Clicking the name of a objet d’art of malware postulate you to the Avira site with a helpful analysis of the file .
Under Privacy are the VPN , password coach , and cookie cleaner . To use the VPN , you must download a separate and free tool call in Avira Phantom VPN and WiFi Proxy from the Mac App Store . Manually turn on the VPN uses your cheeseparing location for the connection . With the free rendering of Avira , you ’re limited to just one web location chosen mechanically . Plus , your monthly quota of encrypted dealings round top out at 500 MB , which wo n’t last very long .
A detached password manager is also include , but for most users , Apple ’s password manager is believably the more commodious solution . The password director Avira PWM for Safari works just as a Safari filename extension . Avira PWM meets the introductory functions of a watchword coach , make and storing secure passwords , applying them at the associated websites , and requiring you to organise a master word to protect the info . Next on the list is a Cookie Cleaner , but this is yet another feature that take the compensate Prime edition of Avira .
With the free flavor of Avira, the VPN limits you to one location and up to 500MB of traffic each month.
eventually , the Performance category list three tools — a dust cleaner , an uninstaller , and a startup app handler . Among these , the junk cleanser is available in the free version of Avira and will scan and murder dust files and other unneeded files clogging up your organisation . The uninstaller and startup app manager both require the Prime edition of Avira .
Performance
Avira was effective at detecting and stopping malware . The political platform well caught and quarantined the different EICAR test file that I examine to download , include the eicar.com filing cabinet and the eicar text Indian file . It did n’t read the eicar.zip file when I downloaded it . But when I endeavor to get to the filing cabinet , Avira caught and quarantine it .
The paid version of the Cartesian product – Avira Internet Security – received top print in a September / October evaluation from AV - Testfor protective cover , public presentation , and useableness . A2016 brushup of Avira Free Antivirusby AV - Comparatives gave the program good grade overall , while a May / June 2022 review of macOS security measure productsawarded high mark to Avira Antivirus Pro .
Verdict
One benefit compared to Avira ’s detached - to - use competitor Avast is that while Avast push quite intrusively for the bear version in its gratuitous adaptation , Avira is much more moderate with its advertizing .
The most frustrating part of Avira Free Security is the sheer number of tool that require one of the paid editions . I do n’t necessarily fault Avira for this type of trickery ; it ’s a game played by a mickle of free products . But list each tool in the platform as if it were uncommitted felt deceptive to me . Ultimately , the old saw of “ you get what you pay for ” is certainly true with Avira Free Security . Take away the tools that involve a subscription , and you ’re left with the antivirus feature , a limited VPN , a word manager that works only in Safari , and a junk file cleaner . On the surface , that ’s not a terrible intermixture for a gratuitous ware . But you’re able to do well with other gratis standalone products .
you’re able to get Avira Free Security for your Mac here .
To improve your Mac’s performance, Avira Free Security lists a junk cleaner, application uninstaller, and startup manager, but only the junk cleaner is accessible in the free edition.,
