Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
ClamXav for Mac is an open-source virus checker. Available from the App Store and many download locations, ClamXav for Mac installs quickly. The app is free, but donations through Paypal are requested.
ClamXav for Mac has a simple interface that displays a set of basic scan options and a larger window to show infected or suspect files. With updated definitions downloaded automatically, ClamXav for Mac can monitor your Mac in real-time, or you can install and run it on an existing system. To scan specific files or folders, simply drag them onto the ClamXav for Mac icon (handy for USB devices, for example). Files that are picked up as suspect can be quarantined or deleted. You can use wildcards to specify allowed files and file types.
We tested ClamXav for Mac on identical MacBook Pro devices, one with ClamXav for Mac installed and the other running a well-known (and expensive) antivirus package. Both picked up all our seeded apps with virus or Trojan signatures embedded in them, although ClamXav for Mac did flag a few normal files that the commercial app missed. By marking them as safe, we ensured that they were ignored in future scans. The only issue we noticed with ClamXav for Mac is the update frequency of the definitions files, which sometimes lagged the commercial products by a few days, but this is not a major concern. All in all, ClamXav for Mac worked well, and since it costs nothing, it should be a major consideration for those without AV protection.
ClamXav - Protect your Mac with an open-source virus checker - Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Mark Allan:
Free GUI front end to the ClamAV opensource virus checker. Update the virus definitions. Point it to a file or folder and scan. Other features include logging results to a file, placing infected files into quarantine, monitoring folders for changes to their contents and a Finder Contextual Menu Item.
What's new in this version: If you have edited freshclam.conf and clamd.conf by hand, you can find your old files inside /tmp.
If you don't know what that last line means, you can probably ignore it.
More Products to Consider
-
Scan the page behind any link you click on or any web address y...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Detect apps that establish outgoing Internet connections.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your PC against the latest viruses and spyware.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Detect spyware, clean up Internet privacy clutter and protects ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Easy-to-use protection from viruses, Trojans and worms. Quarant...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protects privacy online and secures your computer.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
MacKeeper is like 911 for your Mac.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Get Wi-Fi privacy and security, protect yourself from malware t...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Maintain your anonymity online and secure your web session.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your anonymity and others' as you browse the web.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Avira Free Mac Security will keep your system clean and safe fr...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Record keystrokes, log visited websites, take screenshots and s...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Find out what your kids are doing online.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your Mac completely.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Lock and unlock your Mac account by using your face and track y...DownloadThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install -
Secure your privacy and maintain your anonymity while surfing t...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your Mac against malware, strangers and suspicious appl...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your privacy by blocking online tracking.DownloadThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install -
Play nearly any audio or video file without additional codecs.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Changes file ownership/permissions & empties the Trash.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Powerful OpenSSL based file, data and clipboard encryption.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Security solution designed exclusively for Apple Macintosh mach...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Expand RAR archives on your Mac.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Synchronize your files automatically to your computers and the ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install
-
All versions:
4.0 starsout of 78 votes
-
Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
-
"Mac users - A necessity!"
Version: ClamXav 2.3.4
Pros
Extremely small footprint
Cons
Issues with quarantine of emails
Summary
I have used ClamXav since 2005. Mark Allan, a very talented Scot, designed and developed this UI to the open source clamav. I use it so that I will never forward any file that contains a Mac or PC signature to a friend . Plus, my iMac is Malware-free at all times no matter where I roam.
I suggest getting the Web site version that includes Sentry (not available in App Store), a 24/7 watcher of ANY file I or any app might download!
I also use an optional email script that scans every message + attachment BEFORE it is loaded into my Inbox.
Jim Babcock (Mac user since 1991) -
"Comment only"
Version: ClamXav 2.3.4
Pros
This is only a comment not a review.
Cons
This is only a comment not a review.
Summary
Why does this not have an icon?
Editors, could you please add an icon? Find it e.g. here: http://macupdate.com/app/mac/15850/clamxav -
"Very easy to use and works"
Version: ClamXav 2.3.4
Pros
this is a fine tool to have in your security arsenal . ive used it for years. simple , effective and free. where can you find that nowadays ??
Cons
free Sophos has caught more.
Summary
ill use ClamX as long as they supprt my OS.
-
"decent for free software"
Version: ClamXav 2.3.2
Pros
free
it does quarantine virusesCons
new version not compatible with mac 10.8, virus definitions refuses to update, thereby severely limiting its usefulness
-
"Easy-to-use virus protection program"
Version: ClamXav 2.3.1
Pros
Easy to use. Works in background.
Cons
Slows working a bit.
-
"Never found a thing. Sentry crashes."
Version: ClamXav 2.2.5
Pros
Seems to work, but hard to tell since it's never caught anything in the 8 years of use.
Not too heavy on resource usage.
Free. Donations encouraged.Cons
Fairly light on resource usage.
Sentry started crashing, often, in the past few days. Maybe too many sites open in tabs for it to handle? Don't know. It's up to date.Summary
Hard to judge an anti-malware product when it's never caught any. Have had Camino and Opera 'hijacked/spoofed' twice in the years that I've used Clam XAV.
Glad it's free in a society where most things one buys causes one to subscribe to payments and then spend more money to further use the products, like television, smart phones, computer systems, etcetera. -
"ClamXav for Mac worked very well"
Version: ClamXav 2.2.5
Pros
Ran quickly & found 6 viruses , all quarantined .
Cons
Sentry set up has slowed down the computer use somewhat .
Summary
Easy to understand & to follow the initial installation for a non-technical person ;] Worked well in the background finding the malware & I like the easy to read window of where this scan has located them . Would recommend it to all Mac OS X Leopard users .
-
"Great, Easy to use, tells me what it is doing"
Version: ClamXav 2.2.4
Pros
free, thorough and runs in the back ground
Cons
unknown at this time
Summary
I know I need to pay for it, I have not yet
-
"It's great for a backup scanner"
Version: ClamXav 2.2.4
Pros
Low CPU usages
Fast scans
update protection
Simple InterfaceCons
No Real Time protection
Freezes, but only if you want to scan 2 times.
No user manualSummary
This is a basic virus scanner. It's doesn't offer real time protection, but you can scan whatever you like, locations or files. I don't like that it does freezes if you scan two different locations. The way I avoid this, is by turning the program off and on again for the next scan. The scanning time is really fast though.
-
"Why anyone would give it more stars?"
Version: ClamXav 2.2.2
Pros
None that I can say other then its free
Cons
Real time monitoring? Resource hog when scanning, difficult to use for a beginner.
Summary
I had some free time and like trying software. This was free and I thought I would see how it worked. I was amazed at how old school this program is. Its like the PC anti virus of days back when Windows 95 was out. As far as I can tell you pretty much have to direct it to the files or folders you want scanned. Yes it will detect both Windows and Mac viruses. But that's coming from the program author. When I tried scanning I found my Macbook Air getting pretty hot and the cooling fan really sped up . Not sure why a anti virus program should do this? I have tried a free anti virus program from Sophos too and it looked and felt much more like a complete anti virus program with real time monitoring. I guess if you just want something available to test a downloaded file this would work. But I am skeptical of its value even for free.
