A comprehensive antivirus solution for Mac should effectively eliminate existing malware and provide robust defenses against future threats. K7 AntiVirus for Mac, however, seems to only meet the bare minimum requirements. Notably absent is browser-level protection, which is crucial for safeguarding users against malicious and fraudulent websites. In contrast, its Windows counterpart offers a more extensive suite of features, including a firewall, vulnerability scans, and exploit protection. While K7 is priced lower than many competitors, it often falls short in functionality. For those seeking a more comprehensive solution, investing a bit more in Editors’ Choice winners like Bitdefender Antivirus Plus or Norton AntiVirus Plus may be worthwhile.
How Much Is K7 AntiVirus for Mac?
The pricing structure for Mac antivirus subscriptions typically falls into two main categories: one around and the other around . In the lower tier, options include ESET Cyber Security for Mac, G Data Antivirus, and Trend Micro Antivirus. The higher tier features Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Intego Mac Internet Security, and Webroot. K7, on the other hand, significantly undercuts the average price, offering a one-Mac subscription for just per year, and for two Macs. For three and four-device subscriptions, the costs are and , respectively. While K7’s five-device package is priced at , it still competes favorably against ESET’s offering at .99. The average price for a five-device subscription hovers around .
Interestingly, K7’s Windows edition, K7 AntiVirus Premium, is priced considerably lower than its Mac version, costing about 60% less across all tiers. A single-device license for Windows is available for per year, while a five-license pack is priced at . This pricing disparity raises questions, especially since the Windows version boasts numerous additional features absent from the Mac edition.
While Windows 10 is nearing its end of life, many PCs still operate on older versions, including Windows 8 and 7. Conversely, Mac users tend to stay updated with the latest releases, although some prefer to wait for initial bugs to be resolved. It’s common for antivirus applications to support only the most recent iterations of macOS. For instance, Sophos Home Premium and Webroot cater to macOS Monterey (12) and later, while Norton AntiVirus Plus requires Ventura (13) or newer. K7, however, offers compatibility with macOS versions dating back to Yosemite (10.10), making it a viable option even for users with older hardware.
No Scores From Independent Testing Labs
In addition to personal testing of Windows antivirus applications, I keep an eye on evaluations from four independent antivirus testing labs worldwide, two of which also assess macOS antivirus solutions. The AV-Test Institute rates Mac antivirus tools similarly to those for Windows and Android, with each app eligible for up to six points in protection, performance, and usability, culminating in a maximum score of 18 points. Meanwhile, AV-Comparatives awards Standard certification to Windows antivirus apps that meet specific minimum criteria, with Advanced or Advanced+ certifications for those exceeding expectations. Unfortunately, many antivirus companies do not participate in Mac-focused testing, with K7 being among those absent from reports by either lab. In contrast, competitors like Avast One Gold, AVG, and Norton have participated and achieved top scores.
Easy Installation, Speedy Scan
Installing K7 on a Mac is a straightforward process. Users simply download the installation file, run it, and activate protection using either a purchased registration code or a 30-day trial. After granting the necessary whole-disk access permissions, users are ready to go. The main interface of the app is designed for simplicity, featuring four panels that allow users to scan the entire computer, personal files, specific folders, or configure a scanning schedule. A menu at the top provides options for Scan View, Quarantine, History Log, Preferences, and Help. During testing, K7 completed a full scan of several hundred thousand files in just five minutes, making it one of the fastest antivirus applications available. Although K7 does not offer a quick scan option, the speed of the full scan renders this limitation negligible.
No Protection Against Phishing Frauds
While K7 excels in malware detection, it lacks proactive measures against phishing attacks, a feature present in approximately 75% of Mac antivirus programs. Although popular browsers come equipped with some phishing protection, they often do not match the effectiveness of leading antivirus solutions. In comparative tests, AVG AntiVirus, Avira Free Antivirus, McAfee, Norton, and Webroot successfully detected 100% of real-world phishing threats.
No Detection of Windows Malware
Given that software designed for macOS cannot operate on Windows systems, the risk of Windows malware infecting a Mac is inherently lower. However, many Mac antivirus applications still strive to detect and eliminate any Windows malware present, preventing potential transfers to Windows devices. To evaluate this feature, I conducted a simple test by copying malware samples to a thumb drive and mounting it on the test Mac. If the antivirus fails to scan automatically, I initiate a manual scan to identify any threats. K7, however, did not attempt to detect Windows malware, scanning the drive without reporting any threats. In contrast, competitors like Webroot Essentials, Avast, and McAfee Total Protection quarantined over 90% of the samples in their latest tests, with the overall average around 75%.
