It is important to know the amount of computer resources your antivirus program consumes. The best programs have minimal impact on system performance while providing superior security against viruses and malware.
The majority of antivirus software companies release comprehensive test programs in PDF format. The reports provide at-a-glance assessments of performance, protection and usability of each suite, along with detailed graphs and charts illustrating the results of particular testing elements. The percentage of real-world malware and exposures to the reference set that the program blocks, neutralises or compromises, as is the number of false positives detecting of malicious programs, are important figures to look out for.
In AV-Comparatives’ testing in June 2023, Avast Free Antivirus for Mac was the most successful in achieving the highest rate of success in blocking Mac malware and PUAs (potentially unwanted programs) and the second highest score for Windows virus detection. It also scored highly in the passive, full-scan and quick-scan categories.
Of the paid-for programs, Bitdefender Total Security had the least post-installation background systems impact, followed by Kaspersky Total Security and ESET Security Cloud Free. However it was the most slow in the full scan and quick-scan category. Its light background impact may be due to the fact that the program does not run by default on Windows 10 and 11, like its competitors do.
Intego had the lowest impact on system performance for basic data room services background and full scans, however, it was able to find every bit of malware. It’s rare to find a company that only focuses on Macs. This makes it a great addition for any security arsenal.