PCs made their debut a few years prior to the launch of Apple’s Macintosh, giving rise to the early emergence of PC viruses. In response, numerous antivirus companies were established to tackle the growing threat of PC malware, with Macintosh protection being an afterthought for many. Intego, however, took a different path, originating as a dedicated Macintosh security tool and continuing to prioritize Mac users in its offerings. Intego Mac Internet Security transcends the traditional antivirus role, incorporating a comprehensive firewall that not only defends against external attacks but also manages network permissions for applications running on the Mac.
According to independent lab assessments, Intego proves effective against Mac malware, and its firewall feature is a valuable addition. Yet, it faces stiff competition from Norton 360 Deluxe and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, both of which boast lab certifications and excel in phishing protection—a feature that Intego currently lacks. These two competitors have earned the distinction of our Editors’ Choice for Mac antivirus applications.
Pricing
Intego’s pricing structure is competitive, with a standard annual fee of .99 for a single license, aligning it with Bitdefender, F-Secure, and Webroot. However, several rivals offer a more budget-friendly option at .99 for one device, including CleanMyMac, ESET, G Data, and Malwarebytes Premium Security. For those looking for multiple licenses, a three-license subscription for Intego is priced at .99 per year, which is slightly above the lower end of the market range. A five-device subscription is available for .99, which, while higher than some competitors, remains lower than the 9.99 charged by McAfee and Norton 360 Deluxe. While Norton and McAfee provide a suite of protections that extend beyond basic antivirus, Intego distinguishes itself with its robust personal firewall, a feature often absent in many Mac antivirus solutions.
For users willing to invest a bit more, Intego’s Mac Premium Bundle starts at .99 annually, adding features such as Washing Machine for cleaning up junk files, ContentBarrier for parental controls, and Personal Backup. If you choose to enhance your package to include Intego’s Privacy Protection VPN, the yearly cost rises to 4.99. A 14-day free trial is available for those wishing to experience Intego’s protection before committing financially. For budget-conscious users, free alternatives like Avast, AVG AntiVirus, and Avira Free Antivirus are also on the market.
Most Mac users tend to promptly install operating system updates, though those with older hardware may find themselves limited in this regard. Intego has historically supported older versions, extending compatibility back to Mavericks (10.9), but the latest iteration now requires High Sierra (10.13) or later. For users with vintage Macs, ProtectWorks AntiVirus still provides support as far back as Snow Leopard (10.6), while others, such as F-Secure Internet Security and Sophos, demand Monterey (12) or newer.
Getting Started With Intego
Downloading Intego’s Mac antivirus is straightforward, and users can initiate a free trial immediately. If you have a serial number, it can be entered at the start of the installation. As is customary with antivirus software, granting Full Disk Access and other necessary permissions is required. Unlike many macOS antivirus tools, Intego necessitates a restart during installation. Once the software updates its malware definitions, it is fully operational.
Upon clicking Intego’s castle icon in the menu bar, users are greeted with three main components: NetUpdate, NetBarrier, and VirusBarrier. NetUpdate manages product and malware definition updates, while NetBarrier serves as the firewall. VirusBarrier is the primary antivirus component. For those who opt for the premium bundle, additional features like ContentBarrier, Personal Backup, and Washing Machine will also be accessible through the menu.
The main window of Intego presents a list of potential scanning targets, including the entire Mac and individual drives. This interface is user-friendly, displaying the latest scan information alongside Intego’s castle logo. Quick access to real-time protection, scheduled scanning, and quarantined files is conveniently located within the main window.
Lab Certification
While Mac malware is not as widespread or aggressive as its Windows counterparts, it still poses a threat. Independent labs conduct security testing on Mac antivirus applications, providing valuable insights into their effectiveness. Intego has previously appeared in lab reports from AV-Test Institute and AV-Comparatives, although AV-Test currently does not include it in their evaluations. However, Intego received certification from AV-Comparatives, achieving a 99.1% malware detection score, just shy of the perfect score attained by competitors like Avast, AVG, and Bitdefender.
Intego’s configuration settings indicate its capability to detect not only Mac malware but also threats targeting Windows and Linux systems. While malicious programs designed for Windows cannot operate on macOS, it is prudent to prevent a Mac from becoming a conduit for attacks on Windows devices. In tests conducted by AV-Comparatives, Intego successfully detected 100% of Windows malware samples, matching the performance of Avast, AVG, and Norton. In tests involving potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), Intego scored 93%, while Bitdefender led with 99%.
Scanning and Scheduling
The quick scan on my test Mac concluded in a brisk two and a half minutes, significantly faster than the current average. Intego’s full system scan took just seven minutes, well below the average of 48 minutes, showcasing its optimization for speed. Subsequent scans demonstrated even greater efficiency, with a second full scan clocking in under two minutes.
Although I lack the means to test real-world Mac-specific malware, I utilized samples from my Windows testing. Intego promptly offered to scan a thumb drive containing these samples, detecting 79% of them—an average score in the current landscape. Competing products like Webroot Essentials achieved a remarkable 99% detection rate.
Intego’s quarantine feature allows users to manage detected threats easily, although files remain visible on the USB drive until manually deleted. Scheduled scanning is prominently featured, enabling users to set daily or weekly scans with ease. Advanced settings allow for monthly scans and targeted folder selections, providing flexibility in maintaining system security.
Safe Browsing
Intego’s main window prominently displays the status of its Safe Browsing feature, which initially suggests a browser extension designed to protect users from malicious and phishing sites. However, upon further investigation, it becomes clear that this feature merely checks whether users have enabled existing protections in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, lacking its own dedicated solution. In contrast, many competitors have developed robust antiphishing measures that outperform the built-in browser protections.
Firewall
Intego’s NetBarrier firewall operates as a distinct application, separate from the VirusBarrier antivirus. Upon initial launch, users are prompted to classify their network as Home, Work, or Public Hotspot, with clear instructional overlays guiding them through the firewall’s features. In Home or Work mode, local network traffic is permitted, while unsolicited internet connection attempts are blocked. The Public Hotspot mode takes a more stringent approach, blocking unsolicited local traffic as well.
In Home mode, the Mac can function as a server, while Work mode requires user approval for program access. During testing, NetBarrier effectively alerted me to Chrome’s internet access attempts, allowing for granular control over permissions. Users can also create exceptions for specific connections, although this feature may be complex for the average user.
