AV-Test.org - Tested: 12 Security Solutions for MacOS Big Sur

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Tested: 12 Security Solutions for MacOS Big Sur

Whether it is a Mac at home or a Mac endpoint in a corporate environment: users should never go without a good security solution on board. The lab at AV-TEST thoroughly examined 12 products and can issue firm recommendations.

Yet many Mac users unfortunately still believe their Apple system is invulnerable, thus a protection solution is not for them. But back to reality: as recently as April of this year, Apple was forced to acknowledge that there was a zero-day vulnerability enabling Mac's Gatekeeper security features to be circumvented. It is actually supposed to check applications in terms of their certification, filtering out trojans, viruses and other malware. Apple immediately recommended users to update their systems to the new MacOS Big Sur. But not every user was willing or able to do so. Those who had additional protection on board were lucky. In the meantime, Apple has released an update that closes the dangerous vulnerability.

12 security packages for consumer and corporate users

The lab examined 7 security packages for consumers and 5 solutions for Mac endpoints in a corporate environment. The MacOS Big Sur was used as a test platform, and the consumer protection packages were from Avast, Avira, Bitdefender, F-Secure, Intego, NortonLifeLock and Trend Micro.

The solutions for Mac enterprise endpoints came from Bitdefender, ESET, FireEye, Sophos and Symantec.

All protection packages and solutions were vetted in terms of their protection, performance and usability. For each category, the laboratory can award up to 6 points. Thus, the top score in the test is 18 points. AV-TEST also awards a security certificate for a successful security test. To mark their achievements, the lab issues consumer products the certificate of AV-TEST CERTIFIED, and solutions for corporate users the certificate of AV-TEST APPROVED.

The test results: among the 7 consumer protection packages evaluated, the lab awarded the full 18 points to the products from Avast, Intego, NortonLifeLock and Trend Micro. Coming in next were Bitdefender and F-Secure with 17.5 points; Avira received still a very good score of 17 points.

There was a similar positive outcome in the findings involving corporate solutions: ESET, Sophos and Symantec reached the full 18 points. This was followed by Bitdefender with 17.5 points and FireEye with 17 points.
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