iAntiVirus Free Edition for Mac User Reviews
Excellent
-
"It must be working, no virusis since I turned it on."
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
It must be run manually on the Lion platform. So far, it hasn't caught a rabbit so i'm not sure it's a friend of mine or not.
Cons
This application has been abandoned by it's makers.
Summary
This a program that we used to call an orphan Anne. The group built it back in 2008-2009 have not worked on it since. I purchased it September of 2011 and loaded it onto my MacBook Pro running 10.7.3. The first thing that I noticed was that there is no way to schedule it to run. It does run if it's opened and manually started. There is a subprogram called "Protect my Mac". This is supposed to watch the internet data flow and look for virises. However there is no indication that it works and the program icon popup indicates that "Protect my Mac" is not on and that I really need to click it on to get the full protection of the application. It seems to keep itself up to date as to virus codes although it has yet to find one. So is it keeping the elephants away? Your guess is as good as mine. I try to remember to do a manual scan every once in a while. When I made email contact with the group that made this application I was told that they have not done any work on it since late 2009. So it did not go through the Snow Leopard and Lion update. The app probably works great if your running older OSX platforms. From the conversion we had I got a strong impression that they had a lot of other projects going on and that they will most likely never get back to update the program. ps/ I paid for a registration thinking that maybe it was a trial offer and needed to be purchased. DON'T PAY FOR A REGISTRATION. It makes no difference in how it operates.
-
"It works! Don't believe the neg comments!"
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
PC Tools rated this as a great product and they are a global leader.
Real-Time protection
Quick updates
Scanned 450K+ files in 30 mins
Simple to use interface
Comes with a easy to read manual with Pictures
Fast installation
FREE!!!Cons
The only thing I don't like about this product is that I'm not really sure that it really updating itself. It just so quick! I press the update button and 1 sec later it tells me it's updated. I just don't know if that's true. I don't see a update bar or anything. The history says it's updated but who knows. I wait to see if there's a update that will make it take longer than a second.
Summary
Don't believe the negative comments I read first about this product. I read from one person it takes a long time to scan. Took me 30 mins to scan 450K files. Also another person said that the product had install over 156 GB. My file size for this thing is only 15 MB.
As I have been using this product, one more Con that I don't like is that it automatically starts up with your Mac. There is no option to tell it NOT start up with your Mac.
Updated on Apr 1, 2012
One can turn it off easy enough, but I would had preferred an option above. -
"Gives the illusion of protecting your computer."
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
doesn't seem to slow me down
scans quickly (never found anything)Cons
maybe a false sense of security
may have given my browser something(see below)
no way to tell if it is working or just sitting there being a cute little flowerSummary
So heres the thing I have run my Mac without incidence for over two years, but after starting an internet security and intelligence program in school I started feeling guilty about being vulnerable to attacks and letting all my stuff hang out there in cyber space. First I got a little free thing called "Do Not Track" for my browsers and then a while later I decided to try an anti-virus, just in case so installed this one. It scans quick and gives me a little report nothing found nothing fixed, me being at a still highly ignorant stage on security can't tell if it is like insurance "you don't get anything from it unless you need it so you better have it" or if it is more like an extra tattoo just sits there looking pretty and offers no value other than that. At any given time in the Activity Monitor iAntivirus is using at most 0.6% CPUs, so I do not see any problem in keeping it for insurance.
On the other hand somewhere around the time I installed it (I believe after not before) I have this thing on my browsers that have turned random words into links for ads. So you click a blue word thinking it will take you to the subject that it is talking about and you end up opening a bloody pop up ad. I am not say that this is the fault of the iAntivirus or even that it should in any way be addressed by the iAntivirus it is just suspiciously coincidental. -
"No slowdown on my 2011 MBP."
Version: iAntiVirus Free Edition 1.36
Pros
NO SLOWDOWN as reported by some users. They must have a slow processor or not enough Memory.
Interface is simple to use. Nothing over the top.Cons
"Protect my mac" seemed to not work.
Summary
iantivirus was able to finish a full scan in 41 minutes 44 secs.I was able to continue working while scan was in the background.
-
"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
-
"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!
-
"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.
-
"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
-
"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.
-
"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!
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
You must be 13 years of age or older to submit personal information to CNET Networks. In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, CNET Networks does not accept name and e-mail address information from users who are under 13 years of age.
All submitted ratings and written comments become the sole property of CNET Networks, Inc. (CNET) and may be used at CNET Networks' sole discretion. Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days in batch groups, not in real time. However, CNET Networks reserves the right to remove or refuse to post any submission for any reason. You acknowledge that you, not CNET Networks, are responsible for the contents of your submission.
CNET Networks is not responsible for the content of the publisher's descriptions or user reviews on this site. We encourage you to determine whether this product or your intended use is legal. We do not encourage or condone the use of any software in violation of applicable laws. CNET Download.com does not sell, resell, or license any of the products listed on the site. We cannot be held liable for issues that arise from the download or use of these products.
