FreeĀ antivirus for Mac

Download our free antivirus for Mac. It’s easy to use and helps protect against online scams, viruses, and other malware. Check for potential scam messages or offers with our new AI-powered Avast Assistant. Plus, strengthen your online privacy.

February 2024

Best MacOS Security

January 2025

Top Rated Product 2024

January 2024

Best MacOS Security

January 2024

Top Rated

Also available forĀ PC,Ā Android, andĀ iOS

30-day money-back guarantee
Millions of people chose Avast Free Antivirus for Mac to get:

AI-powered anti-scam protectionĀ 

Defense against online scams

Safer browsing and emailing

An app that’s easy to install and use

Your Mac is not immune to threats — get multi-layered protection with our free Mac antivirus

Malware isn’t the only threat to your Mac. Scams, malicious websites, and vulnerable Wi-Fi networks can also jeopardize your safety and privacy. Avast Security for Mac helps protect you against these threats, and gives you AI-powered guidance and protection against online scams. 
Our premium version also helps expose Wi-Fi intruders and helps stop ransomware.

Get AI-powered 
anti-scam protectionĀ 

Anti-malware security

Web and Email Guards

Wi-Fi intruder alerts (premium)

Ransomware Shield (premium)

New

Browse and email in peace, supported by clever AIĀ 

Our AI-powered Web Guard not only helps you block malware. It also boosts your security against unsafe links to scam websites trying to steal your money or info.

Why not use our anti-scam AI assistant too?
If you suspect an online offer seems off or a potential spoof email, our Avast Assistant can help you decide if it’s a scam. It gives you easy-to-read guidance fast

Want to boost your online privacy?
If you want to reduce web tracking to boost your online privacy, you can also do this via an optional extension. Ā 

Secure connection

Online security features

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Avast Assistant
Decide if online messages or offers are scams, supported by our smart AI assistant’s guidance.
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Web Guard
Use intelligent AI to help block scam websites and dangerous internet downloads.
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Email Shield
Prevent yourself from sending and receiving malicious email attachments.
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Online Security
Get warnings about unsafe websites, reduce ad tracking, and safely redirect yourself to the correct site if you mistype an address (available as an optional browser extension).

Anti-malware protection for your Mac

Your macOS might stop some malware variants, but it can’t help you if you’re already infected. Avast’s free antivirus for Mac not only helps block viruses, spyware, Trojans, and other malware in real time, it also scans your entire Mac for already-hidden threats.

Stop online spies and snoops

Anti-malware features

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Real-Time Protection
It runs silently in the background to block threats as they appear.
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Advanced Malware Detection
Help stop both Mac and Windows online threats to help prevent yourself from sharing infected files with your friends who use PCs.
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Full Mac Scan
Run an in-depth scan of your entire Mac to root out hidden malware.
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USB/DVD Scan
Scan any external drives (CD, DVD, USB, etc.) attached to your Mac.
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Custom Scan
Select specific files or folders for faster, targeted scans.
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Scheduled Scan
Schedule scans for when you’re sleeping or away from your Mac.
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Security Reports
Stay informed with personalized security reports every 30 days.
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Real-Time Security Updates
Receive security updates and new features automatically.

Find and fix Wi-Fi network vulnerabilities

Avast Security for Mac scans your network and connected devices for vulnerabilities to help you stop hackers from stealing your personal data.

Premium features

Need premium Mac antivirus protection?
Say hello to Avast Premium Security

Avast Premium Security for Mac includes all the malware-crushing moves of its free little brother, along with premium defenses against Wi-Fi intruders and ransomware. These premium capabilities include Email Guard, which scans your emails to flag any that could be suspicious.

Stay ahead of potential email scams

Connect Avast Email Guard with just a few clicks on your Avast Premium Security. It flags potential email scams, phishing, and infected attachments before they get to you on Gmail, Outlook, and other popular email providers — no matter which computer you’re using.

Catch Wi-Fi intruders in the act

Avast Premium Security instantly alerts you when someone joins your Wi-Fi network. This helps you keep hackers out and stop neighbors from bringing your network to a crawl with their unwelcome video streaming.

Have a look at the features included

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Premium
Premium

Help block viruses and other malware

Detect viruses, ransomware, and other threats in real time.

Get browser security alerts

Be warned of unsafe sites and help block intrusive web trackers with the Avast Online Security extension.

Help avoid ransomware

Help protect personal photos and files from unwanted changes and restrictions.

Shop and bank more safely

Avoid fake sites for safer shopping and banking.

Get Wi-Fi network security alerts

Be instantly alerted to network security weaknesses and intruders.

Help block phishing attempts

More easily avoid even the newest phishing scams and fake websites.

You may still be wondering...

FAQs

There's a myth out there that Macs don't get viruses — but it's just that: a myth. Yes, Macs need antivirus software.Ā Macs and MacBooks can get virusesĀ like any other device. And while many people think their Apple computers are protected, your Mac is not immune toĀ malware, and so it's certainly vulnerable to attacks.

As we see more and moreĀ computer virusesĀ targeting Macs, it’s increasingly critical to protect your device with Mac antivirus software.

If you start noticing strange pop-ups, unexplained crashes, or slower performance, then your Mac may be infected with a virus or Mac malware. What you can do is use a malware scanner for Mac to easily detect and remove hidden malware. You can also use an advanced antivirus, like Avast Premium Security, to enhance your security. Then run Smart Scan to pinpoint exactly where those threats could be lurking in your Mac.

It’s important to update your antivirus and run regular malware scans to ensure your Mac system is protected against potential threats. You can also boost your Mac performance by using a reliableĀ cleanup toolĀ to clean out junk files, browser cookies, and more.

For more information, check out thisĀ essential guideĀ that has everything you need to know about Mac security.

Yes, Avast Free Antivirus is ourĀ best free antivirusĀ for Mac. It can protect your Mac and other Apple devices from new and emerging cyberthreats, it includes protection such as real-time scanning,Ā anti-spyware scanner, free malware removal for Mac,Ā ransomware protection, andĀ phishing attack prevention. If you need advanced features, you can upgrade to get access to all ourĀ premium security features, so you can fully protect your devices.

If you’ve already been infected, then the best way to handle Mac virus removal is to perform a Mac virus scan with specialized software. You can easily automate this process with Avast’s free Mac virus scanner & removal toolĀ which not only scans for viruses and other malware but removes them as well, so it makes it easy to clear out malware and secure your Mac.

The macOS operating systemĀ The macOS, or Mac OS X system, has existed for 40 years in various forms — it’s robust, and because of its regular updates, malware developers find it hard to keep up with the changes and write viruses that will successfully infect the Mac operating system.

XProtectĀ Apple's basicĀ malware detectionĀ is built directly into its Mac OS X operating system. XProtect defends Macs against various types of malware, by scanning downloaded files for signs of infection, but it needs to be regularly updated to recognize new or emerging threats — and it won’t help you if you unwittingly land on an infected or unsafe website.

Digitally signed appsĀ A digital certificate is always seen as proof of a file’s security and a surefire sign that the file contains no malicious code, but cybercriminals can still plant malicious code at the file completion stage, exploit security gaps to sign their malicious files with valid digital certificates, and more.

App Store and Sandbox app securityĀ While sandboxing adds another layer of security for Macs, not even the App Store nor sandboxed apps are 100% safe, as highlighted by the attack on the Chinese version of the App Store by the XCodeGhost Virus. Malware authors have frequently found and exploited weaknesses, such as using obscure file formats or large file sizes that the sandbox can’t process, leaving Mac users at risk of infection.

Visit ourĀ Support CenterĀ for more FAQs

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Get security tips for your Mac, straight from the experts

Avast Security for Mac

Think different about Mac security

Also available forĀ PC,Ā Android, andĀ iOS

30-day money-back guarantee