CNET Editors' note: KG: was Platform: Macintosh & Mac OS X 10.5 Intel. I'm experimenting as this is a product solr won't show as popular.
CNET Editors' review
iAntiVirus is a free app that will scan for Mac-specific viruses and malicious software, both on your hard-drive and during real-time Web browsing. You access iAntiVirus through a menu bar icon, and the app can scan your Mac for current infections, with either a Quick Scan, a Normal Scan (longer but still relatively quick), or a Custom Scan of specific areas. You can set iAntiVirus to protect your Mac in the background (with a relatively modest resource footprint), and you can also schedule both scans and app updates every week, every day, or every other day, to make sure that you're protecting your computer using the most current virus definitions. Some anti-virus applications will scan for PC-specific threats as well (to make sure you're not passing on malicious software to PC users you interact with), but iAntiVirus is able to maintain a lower profile on your system by focusing on Mac threats only.
Arguably, the best anti-virus software for the Mac is already on your machine: the Mac OS itself, with its secure, Unix-based architecture and relative obscurity compared to Windows. There has never been a major virus or malicious software outbreak for OS X, so any antivirus app is of questionable usefulness--but iAntiVirus can provide some free peace of mind for anyone worried about future threats.
Publisher's Description
From PC Tools:
With iAntiVirus you are protected against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your Mac and personal information. iAntiVirus provides free real-time protection and comprehensive system scanning to ensure your Mac remains safe and virus free. The iAntiVirus database has been designed from the ground up to detect and remove Mac specific threats. This enables a high level of protection whilst keeping memory footprint and resource usage at a minimum.
The iAntiVirus database is not cluttered with signatures for Windows specific threats which your Mac is already immune against. This means you get the protection you need without the extra resource required to process the threats that are not relevant your Mac. iAntiVirus protects you against Mac specific viruses, worms, Trojans, keyloggers, dialers, spyware, adware, toolbars and hijackers like the Mac DNS-Changer trojan. Version 1.2 improves performance and fixes conflict with Time Machine.
More Popular Antivirus Software downloads
- iAntiVirus Free Edition
1,702 downloads
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1,121 downloads
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1,113 downloads
- MacKeeper
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- ClamXav
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All versions:
3.3 starsout of 99 votes
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Current version:
3.2 starsout of 51 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"The WORST-Terrible-Bad-Spyware-"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
NONE that I can see at all.
It is a Memory HOGCons
You cannot uninstall this unless you are a mac tech.....
Summary
You will regret the day you ever installed this software on your Mac Computer
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"Very Questionable"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
It's free!
Cons
It says product version 2008-2009! Why would I trust something that hasn't been updated in over two years to protect my Mac or any computer. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
Summary
Stay Away!
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"Seems OK and I'm giving it "good" review of 3 stars."
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
I was concerned with not having any antivirus protection after upgrading to OS 10.7.x. I tried the latest Norton/Symantec product for this latest OS, but found it too complicated, taking too long to attempt to configure it for my use. I ended up returning it (getting a credit) and trying iAntivirus.
As mentioned by others, no viruses have been found using the free-version, but it is comforting to periodically check. After reading some of the other reviews, I disagree with it "hogging" the CPU. Running "Activity Monitor" during a "normal" scan, CPU usage has been between ~14% to 26% as iAntivirus is running on my Mac Mini.
The iAntivirus periodically self checks for updates but, so far, I haven't seen it find anything new, unlike Norton, which seemed to have a daily antivirus update which I used to scan daily prior to me upgrading to the latest OS 10.7.x, when I found my older Norton no longer worked.Cons
Unable to actually determine if it's doing something and don't know if the iAntivirus company is actually updating this product, even though it periodically checks for "updates".
Summary
I'll give it a good recommendation and will consider buying the full version, but ideally, want my internet service provider (Comcast) to supply a product for OS 10.7.x as it used to for prior Mac OS versions.
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"Easy to install and use. Runs in background."
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
Very easy to install and use. Have is set to routinely check my Mac for virus infection
Cons
Not certain of how effective it is as have not detected any virus on my Mac for the past month
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"Worked as far as I can tell, but hogged CPU"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
As far as I can tell, it did its job. I never had any viruses or problems. It also auto-updates so you don't have to worry about forgetting to update virus definitions
Cons
Ran scans in the background which really slowed down the computer. Also used a ton of CPU and would cause the fans to run high all the time. I've since uninstalled it in favor of Clamxav and my mac runs smoother and much quieter
Summary
Wouldn't recommend it.
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"Works Well!"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
Have it running in the background no high CPU usage... Never had a virus but nice to have peace of mind.
Cons
None! Absolutely brilliant! No slow down
Summary
Love it!
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"good product, not compatible with OS X Lion"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
Is not a cpu hog. runs well in background. free!
Cons
only the lack of lion compatability
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"Good program but absolutely hogs CPU"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
Free, stable, effective - I think but since it's never picked up anything I wouldn't be sure.
Cons
A TOTAL CPU hog. I was confused what was constantly driving my CPU temperature to 80 degrees C until I saw that iavd was taking 90-95% of my CPU. I have a late 2009 Macbook Pro.
Summary
Antivirus programs for Mac are far off contingency plans IMO. And one that hogs 95% of my CPU while running in the background is just not worth while.
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"The best so far"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
It installed with no issues at all. Scans everything quickly and picks everything up :)
Cons
None that I can see
Summary
The best Free Mac software out there
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"Works for me!"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
Installed smoothly and seems to do the job.
Cons
Don't Know any.
Summary
Put it on wife's iMac. We saw on ZDNet that someone had malware for Mac. I tried explain "social engineering" to my Wife and tried to explain that almost all the malware for Mac that would get in is what the user installs, but she wanted an A.V. program so we got it. I ran it once and it found no threat. (As I expected.)
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