Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
ClamXAV for Mac offers solid antivirus protective covering . But for a mathematical product that requires an annual subscription , it ’s lack in sophisticated features .
Some security programs propose a wide kitchen range of tools and advanced features to not only armed combat malware but to protect you from ransomware , phishing attempt , mistrustful web site , intrusive on-line ads , identity theft , and more . Others focus only on antivirus defense , offer basic AV protection but piddling else . As designed for macOS , ClamXAV is a product that falls into the latter class .
See our complete unit of ammunition up of thebest antivirus software package for Mac .
ClamXAV offers several options for on-demand virus scanning, letting you check everything from a single file to your entire hard drive.
Installation
Installing ClamXAV is quick and soft . Browse to theClamXAV websiteand click the Free Trial push button , and the installation single file is mechanically downloaded . The test reading is to the full working and lasts for 30 days . After the guide installment , you ’re motivate to click the Free Trial button to essay before you grease one’s palms or the Purchase push button ( $ 29.95/£24 a year ) if you want to start your subscription justly off the bat .
The software package then select you through the necessary steps to grant it permission to your Downloads folder and modify your security department preferences so that it can glance over sure folders for malware . The malware database is also automatically update , quick to take on the latest strain of malware .
After the initial frame-up , you ’re placed at the master silver screen , which is well - designed and well-off to navigate .
ClamXAV offers several options for on-demand virus scanning, letting you check everything from a single file to your entire hard drive.
Features
Foundry
Each type of scan lets you pluck sure options . For example , you may schedule any eccentric of scan to play on specific sidereal day and times , weekend , weekdays , or every day . you could determine whether or not to quarantine septic files . And with some CAT scan , you ’re capable to ignore specific files , such as images and PDFs as well as files that match a sure pattern .
Naturally , there ’s also a real - time scan component . Known as Sentry , this feature film outride on guard for malware from downloaded Indian file and other source and mechanically checks any platter or external drives that you connect .
You can schedule certain types of scans, choose whether malicious files are quarantined, and tell the software to ignore certain files when scanning.
By default option , any malicious file are automatically quarantine . By going through the Preferences menu , you could reach the quarantine folder to see what files were catch . A reports screen keeps track of every scan you run and every update to the definitions database , so you may brush up the history .
Next , you ’re able to tweak certain setting . you could enable or disable alerts in response to certain events , such as malware detection and completed scans , choose how often the definitions database is update , and allow the software to notice non - Mac malware . Otherwise , there ’s nothing more to the program beyond the basic antivirus scanning and choice .
Performance
ClamXAV raise effective at detecting and stopping test malware files . It caught and quarantined the four dissimilar EICAR examination filing cabinet I attempted to download , including the eicar.com data file , eicar text single file , and the two eicar.zip files . AJune 2022 inspection by AV - Testgave ClamXAV top ground level for protection , performance , and useableness .
Bottom line
ClamXAV is certainly effective at virus scanning . But that ’s a capability found in many free and equally effectual security merchandise for the Mac . By burden an annual subscription ( even one as miserable as $ 29.95 ) , ClamXAV should declare oneself more than just the basics . For that reason , you ’re better off turn to a free antivirus programme or look at other yield course of study if you want more advance features .
Check the Reports screen to view a history of all scans.
