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In the realm of antivirus solutions, F-Secure Internet Security for Mac provides essential malware protection, including the ability to quarantine existing threats and safeguard against future attacks. However, it falls short in comparison to its more feature-rich competitors. Leading the pack are Norton 360 Deluxe, a comprehensive security suite complete with a robust VPN, and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which boasts ransomware protection and a host of additional features.
How Much Does F-Secure Internet Security Cost?
F-Secure Internet Security offers a tiered pricing structure for its licenses: .99 for one license, .99 for three, and .99 for five. For those requiring broader coverage, options for 2, 7, 10, 15, 20, or even 25 devices are available. This flexibility allows users to secure a range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The 25-license subscription is priced at 4.99 annually, translating to approximately .20 per device.
Notably, F-Secure’s five-license subscription is competitively priced compared to other offerings; for instance, Webroot Essentials is .99, Norton 360 Deluxe is 9.99, and Avast One Gold is 9.99. While Bitdefender does not offer a five-license package, its three-license option matches F-Secure’s five-license cost.
For those considering extensive coverage, McAfee+ presents an attractive alternative at 9.99 per year, allowing unlimited installations across all devices within a household. On the lower end, free antivirus solutions such as Avast, AVG, and Avira are also available.
F-Secure Internet Security requires macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, aligning with the needs of users who regularly update their systems. For those using older macOS versions, Intego Mac Internet Security is compatible with versions dating back to Mavericks (10.9), while ProtectWorks AntiVirus supports Snow Leopard (10.6) and later.
Lab Scores
F-Secure has been evaluated by independent labs, with one notable report from AV-Test Institute rating it as excellent. This assessment considers three key criteria: protection, performance, and usability. A high usability score indicates minimal false positives, enhancing the overall user experience.
In the latest macOS tests, all antivirus applications scored between 17.5 and 18 points, with F-Secure achieving a perfect score of 18. Although F-Secure was absent from the latest AV-Comparatives report, most tested antivirus solutions successfully detected 100% of macOS-specific malware samples. Competitors such as Avast One Basic, AVG, and Bitdefender also received perfect scores from both labs.
Getting Started With F-Secure Internet Security
To begin using F-Secure Internet Security, users must create a My F-Secure account to register their purchase. This account facilitates the download and installation of the software, and users can send installation links to other devices or log in directly to download the installer. F-Secure recommends installing its browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, as well as enabling the Safari extension immediately after installation.
The interface of F-Secure has remained consistent for over a decade, featuring a cheerful design with cartoon characters and a vibrant landscape. The current version retains these elements but emphasizes a large status panel at the top of the screen, along with sections for Device Protection, Scam Protection, and People & Devices.
Scan Choices
F-Secure adopts a unique approach to scanning, offering a quick virus and spyware scan or a custom scan of specified drives or folders. Unlike many competitors, it does not include scheduled scanning, relying instead on real-time protection to mitigate threats after an initial full scan. Users can manually initiate scans at any time.
During testing, a full scan on a Mac initially estimated a lengthy completion time, but ultimately finished in just over four hours. This duration is longer than the average of 47 minutes, yet users can continue using their Mac while the scan progresses.
F-Secure also aims to detect Windows malware, successfully quarantining 82% of samples, which is above average but still lower than top competitors like Webroot, which achieved 99% detection.
Phishing Protection
Phishing attacks remain a significant threat across all platforms, and F-Secure’s antiphishing capabilities are designed to protect users from fraudulent sites. During testing, F-Secure’s browser extension effectively warned users of potential phishing attempts, displaying a cautionary message when fraud was detected.
In recent evaluations, both the macOS and Windows versions of F-Secure scored 94% in phishing detection, marking a notable improvement but still trailing behind competitors like Avira and McAfee, which achieved perfect scores.
Parental Controls
F-Secure includes a parental control system that allows parents to manage their children’s online activities. Configuration is done online, enabling settings to be enforced across multiple devices. Parents can set daily device time limits and establish a bedtime for device usage, although these limits are not cumulative across devices.
The content filtering feature categorizes web pages into 16 groups, helping to block inappropriate content. However, the effectiveness of this system can vary, and tech-savvy children may find ways to bypass restrictions.
Scam Protection
F-Secure’s Scam Protection features mirror those found in its Windows counterpart, offering browsing protection against malicious websites, banking protection, and shopping alerts. The banking protection feature on macOS provides minimal notifications compared to the more robust Windows version, which actively isolates banking sessions.
Shopping protection alerts users when visiting potentially fraudulent sites, while the ad blocker effectively removes intrusive advertisements. However, the Cookie Popup Blocker operates quietly in the background, requiring users to trust its functionality.
Verdict: Basic Antivirus for Your Mac
F-Secure Internet Security serves as a foundational antivirus solution, focusing primarily on malware removal and prevention. While it offers basic features, it lacks the comprehensive capabilities of more advanced suites like Norton 360 Deluxe and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which provide enhanced protection and additional functionalities. For users seeking a more robust security solution, these alternatives present a more well-rounded option than F-Secure.
