AVG’s highly rated suite keeps your Mac safe by providing a solution for secure email, safe web browsing, and safeguarding against viruses. In this review, we’ll discuss the features of AVG Antivirus for Macbook, its pros and cons, and much more.
Written by Ria du Plessis - Web Developer Updated on September 22 , 2021 |
For peace of mind about your online protection, several products are available from AVG that are designed specifically for Mac. There’s the free AVG AntiVirus for Mac and then the subscription-based AVG Internet Security and AVG Ultimate.
One of the top benefits for Mac users is triple protection. The virus scrubber not only works in real-time to discover and destroy Mac-specific threats but it also protects against PC and mobile viruses, as well as spyware. This prevents the infection of other devices.
The “always on” feature is another advantageous option. The AVG Resident Shield runs constantly in the background so that every file opened, copied, or saved is quietly and quickly scanned.
Mac users have total online protection as AVG will block malicious websites, downloads, and dangerous email attachments.
AVG has committed to constantly evolving its detection methods to prevent Mac malware threats. Updates get pushed to users automatically, so your software is always up-to-date when it comes to combating the latest threats.
There’s no need to uninstall the antivirus to upgrade to Internet Security. Once the subscription is paid, the system automatically updates. Also, a multi-device package will ensure simultaneous security on up to 10 devices.
You can use AVG Internet Security (multi-device) on macOS, Windows, and Android. A single-device AVG Internet Security package is valid only on macOS.
One thing that’s worth mentioning is that the dashboard is very user-friendly. There are five clickable tiles in the central part of the screen - including ‘Computer’, which incorporates automatic scanning of new files, program behavior analysis, ransomware protection, and a network inspector.
The AVG TuneUp tool scans your Mac for junk files, similar images, duplicates, and apps - the results for the app scan show which ones you haven’t opened for six months.
The AVG VPN tool is smooth and intuitive, which makes navigation easy. It’s very easy to operate and most people can quickly get used to the interface. There’s no slowdown while using it on Mac, either.
AVG for Mac adds more functionality to Apple’s built-in security features and has better backup options than Apple’s Time Machine. Functions include, but aren’t limited to, antivirus scanning, real-time malware detection, ransomware protection, anti-phishing, network firewall, and Mac clean-up & performance optimization.
AVG Cleaner app can be downloaded free from the App Store and comes with two features, the Disk Cleaner and Duplicate Finder.
The Disk Cleaner tool scans for downloads, application caches, junk files, logs, and trash.
The Duplicate Finder scans for copies of pictures, music, and archives - it even detects duplicate downloads.
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This basic protection program takes approximately 40 minutes to scan your Mac. It detects and protects with a file shield (scans files), quarantine function (isolates threats), a web shield (blocks suspicious downloads and web attacks), and an email shield (unsafe mails prevented).
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As Mac is not immune to viruses, the least you can do is equip it with an antivirus. Most Mac users will find the AVG AntiVirus to be enough.
However, suppose you want to have an advanced protection feature. In that case, you’ll need to upgrade your AVG AntiVirus to AVG Internet Security (bought separately) or with the AVG Ultimate bundle.
This level of protection ensures that you can shop and bank safely online by checking the authenticity of sites and links, protecting your files from hackers, and securing your network.
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The real-time protection against the latest threats, the email and web shields, and the passive scans make this a viable option for Mac, as performance is not affected, other than when you run your first scan after installation.
AVG Ultimate allows you to protect, optimize, and secure not only your Mac but phones and PCs as well.
You can expect total internet security with real-time threat detection, webcam and ransomware protection, an enhanced firewall, and a remote access shield.
The TuneUp tool speeds up your Mac, cleans out junk to create more storage space, boosts battery life, keeps essential programs current, and fixes minor problems before they can grow.
The secure VPN allows you to secure any Wi-Fi network, hide your IP address, browse securely, and have private access to online content.
Informed Mac users know that their lovely, streamlined machines aren’t immune to malware attacks, and gamers may be more vulnerable than most. Consider the new virus called Silver Sparrow - it came out of nowhere and infected over 30,000 Macs. Luckily, there are ways for you to prevent your Mac from infection by viruses, malware, and ransomware.
For gamers, the most general safety precautions are as follows:
AVG Free AntiVirus for Mac will detect and protect by scanning files, isolating threats, blocking suspicious downloads, identifying rogue websites, and preventing unsafe mails.
AVG Internet Security for Mac will give you added levels of security, including webcam protection. You’ll be able to shop and bank safely online as the authenticity of sites and links are checked by the Fake Website Shield.
The Advanced Antivirus scans your Mac for viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other types of malware. The AI Detection proactively identifies malware while the behavior shield sends alerts of any suspicious software activity. The Cyber Capture feature blocks new threats and automatically uploads them for analysis.
The PUA Scanner identifies potentially unnecessary apps, and the TurboScan cleverly shortens scanning time. You’ll get real-time updates, and the Do Not Disturb Mode and Silent Mode are ideal when gaming as they temporarily stop all pop-ups and app notifications so you can enjoy uninterrupted playing.
When connecting, the AVG LinkScanner will avoid harmful pages by scanning links while the Web Shield checks files for hidden malware and the Email shield blocks hazardous attachments. The Wi-Fi guard will alert you if you connect to an unsecured network, and you can use the toolbar remover to remove potentially harmful browser toolbars.
The enhanced firewall, ransomware protection, and password protection all stop hackers. AVG Internet Security subscription covers up to 10 devices. Also, it protects your Android, Tablet, iPhone, and iPad, ensuring that you stay safe online and keep thieves away from your personal data.
AVG Ultimate for Mac has an antivirus, TuneUp, and secure VPN, and is a top of the range of award-winning suite. It includes all the Internet Security features and adds the TuneUp and secure VPN tools.
TuneUp is an optimization tool that scans to detect unnecessary items and performance issues, freeing up disk space and improving your system's speed.
AVG Secure VPN allows you to connect to the internet via secure AVG VPN servers using an encrypted tunnel to protect your online activity from eavesdropping. AVG Secure VPN mainly offers protection, anonymity, and unrestricted access to the internet, wherever you may be.
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Opening the interface is easy.
Click the AVG AntiVirus icon in the menu bar and select Open AVG Internet Security or Open AVG AntiVirus.
Click Go in the menu bar and select Applications, then double-click the AVG AntiVirus icon.
All features are enabled by default and the status message “You have full protection” (AVG Internet Security) or “You have basic protection” (AVG AntiVirus) is displayed. On the main screen, you can also check when a Deep Scan was last performed, and ensure Virus definitions are up-to-date.
Basic Protection includes the following features that are available in both AVG AntiVirus and AVG Internet Security:
To customize these shield settings, go to AVG AntiVirus or AVG Internet Security in your menu bar, then select Preferences... ▸ Shields.
Full Protection includes the following features that are only available with a paid AVG Internet Security subscription:
If you have the AVG Ultimate subscription you will need to install and activate each product individually on your Mac.
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https://support.avg.com/SupportArticleView?l=en&urlname=Activate-AVG-Ultimate-Multi-Device
https://www.avg.com/en-za/installation-files
To uninstall any AVG product
AVG is a sound choice for MacBook, but there are many other good options too. AVG has won many awards and has a soundtrack record. In the ever-changing and competitive world of IT security, AVG has the resources and knowledge to tailor their packages favorably for the Mac user. For ease of use and multi-device protection, AVG is a leader in the field.
