Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is a simple-to-use antivirus and malware product for the Mac. Based on the Sophos antivirus line, Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is free and designed for those who need coverage on their Macs, but don't want to spend a lot of time and money. Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is a download from the publisher, not available in the App Store when we tested.
Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition lets you tailor the way it behaves to some extent. It can work quietly in the background, taking care of most threats transparently, or it can let you know what it is doing and get your input and decisions. Automatic isolation, cleaning and quarantining of viruses is based on regular software updates to download new signatures, and the process worked well. You can force a scan of your system at any time, or you can let Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition sit in the background and monitor quietly.
In testing we threw a few known malware and virus files at Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition and it caught them all cleanly. The publisher has a reputation for being current with virus signature files so being caught by surprise will not be an issue if you let the software update itself regularly. Considering the free price tag, there's no reason not to use Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition.
Publisher's Description
From Sophos:
Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is easy to install, quiet to run and simple to use--it keeps you safe from viruses, Trojans and worms without getting in your way. Best of all, it's free full-featured anti-virus. You get business-grade protection for your Mac backed by our SophosLabs experts - 24 hours a day. It will stop, quarantine and cleanup Mac or Windows threats that try to infect your computer. It can even stop new, unknown threats.
Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition is as versatile as you want it to be, as powerful as you need it to be. That's why our product won't annoy you with messages or take up your computer's resources. And once you install it, you're the boss. Want it to just scan quietly in the background as you work? No problem. Need to create a custom scan to check what you want and leave out what you don't? It can do that, too.
What's new in this version:
This release includes a number of new enhancements including:
- Scheduled Scans: Now, in addition to On-Access and On-Demand Custom Scans, you can also create Scheduled Scans to run automatically on a pre-defined scheduleÃ??Ã?Â
- Live Protection: Gives you a direct connection to the very latest information we have about new Mac threats. Using our global intelligence network, we can identify new threats quickly and make sure your Mac is protected--immediately. Live Anti-Virus h... See all new features
More Products to Consider
-
Antivirus app powered by the open-source ClamAV engine.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Detect apps that establish outgoing Internet connections.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Scan the page behind any link you click on or any web address y...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Detect spyware, clean up Internet privacy clutter and protects ...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your PC against the latest viruses and spyware.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 -
Record keystrokes, log visited websites, take screenshots and s...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Avira Free Mac Security will keep your system clean and safe fr...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Find out what your kids are doing online.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Protect your Mac from viruses and spyware.Visit SiteThis 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
-
Removes the Boonana trojan horse.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Fight Mac and Windows malware that threaten your security.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 -
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 -
Scan your computer for the DNSChanger trojan horse.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Removes malware: FlashBack, MacKontrol, Sabpab and Olyx.DownloadInstalled
Smart Install - Protect the Data You Share & Store in the Cloud.Download
Installed
Smart Install -
Secure your privacy and maintain your anonymity while surfing t...DownloadInstalled
Smart Install -
Secure, easy-to-use digital vault for your laptop that works wi...Visit SiteThis 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
- Advanced protection for your Mac against viruses and spyware.Visit Site
This 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
-
All versions:
3.5 starsout of 46 votes
-
Current version:
2.6 starsout of 17 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Best In Class !"
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
Light as 8 MB & Easy 2 Update
Complete Antivirus
Instant Threat Identifier & Removal
Excellent Interface & Small Notification Icon that tucks in self up in the Menu Bar
Currently Protects against 5023827 threatsCons
None Ever Experienced
Summary
Simply Brilliant
-
"used for years for different computers"
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
just runs, updates as soon as internet connection available
Cons
none ever experienced
Summary
I consider it worth installing, found more viruses on friends usb-sticks than they have ever seen...
-
"Won't stay on"
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
Good scanning registry
Cons
will not stay running to do continuous virus protection
-
"Been using this for years with no problem."
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
You can't beat the price. It works as advertised. Regular updates.
Cons
Initially scanning my 1TB drive was an overnight proposition, but once it finished, I had peace of mind. Also, it scanned in the background and I didn't notice any system slowing during the scan.
Summary
I've never had a problem using this. Granted, I'm a very careful surfer, so I haven't thrown very many challenges at it, but I'm very satisfied.
-
"You get what you pay for....."
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
It does detect viruses......
Cons
It will slow your system start-up
It will cause your system to crash at start-up
Lots of bugs (like two icons in your menu bar, buttons that do nothing when clicked, updates that fail randomly)Summary
Unfortunately this software has received positive reviews from major publications. I can only assume they didn't test it very thoroughly. Your mileage may vary so give it a go. At least it's free.......
-
"Slows down the system too much to be useful"
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
Free, nice looking
Cons
My system (Snow Lion on an iMac) running much much slower, and the scan had not got a quarter of the way through after an hour, so I have already used the usefully provided removal application to delete it.
Summary
I won't keep anything on my machines that make them run slower. What to say?
-
"Compatibility problems with Mountain Lion"
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
Seemed to work great with Lion.
Cons
Grave incompatibility problems with Mountain Lion.
Summary
Although I've downloaded the Mountain Lion compatible version from Sophos website, there are a number of serious incompatibility issues including never ending updates which freeze the Mac. It's unusable! An urgent update is needed to fix this. Uninstalling for now!!
-
"Doesn't work with Mountain Lion"
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
When it works well, you do not even know it is there.
Cons
In Mountain Lion, icon in menu bar disappears. Then scanner stops and program no longer updates.
Summary
Developer needs to address the current problem in Mountain Lion, or remove its claim that its product is compatible with 10.8. It is NOT.
-
"Coming up on a year of use soon and very satisfied ..."
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
On a 2.3 GHz i5 MacBook Pro (8GB RAM, OS-X 10.7.4) with Sophos A/V v8.0.5C installed on it, I've only had a good experience. Prior to this early-July updated version, whatever version I had for the last approx 8 or 9 months never gave me a problem. No perceptable speed degradation after installing it, and full scans complete in an acceptable time for me (about an hour to an hour and a half for several hundred GB's of stuff to scan) but I kick it off before heading to bed most of the time anyway. It has on-access scanning, manual scanning, customizable scans, logging, customized messages, auto-updating of definition files, and a compact and non-cluttered user interface.
Cons
With minimal threats to find right now, rating any of Mac Anti Virus products is pretty difficult for the home user.
Summary
I've never experienced any of the issues reported by some of the other users, and am extremely happy with the product. Sophos has an established positive track record and the price cannot be beat.
-
"worked fine for awhile"
Version: Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition 8.0
Pros
Pretty easy. We don't know REALLY how effective it is
Cons
Had Sophos on a laptop which sat idle for several months. On restart I got the X in the black shield. Uninstalling it has been a ***** (no uninstaller appeared as promised. Still trying to remove all traces before re-install.
So I'd say customer support is not very good at all. Tried the site/forum/board but still not successful.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
