While it may not be the most popular antivirus on the market, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is worth considering for any Apple user. Although it isn’t the most comprehensive cybersecurity software available, it performs well and offers a straightforward way to protect your computer quickly and effectively.
Does Mac come with antivirus? Unfortunately, Macs don’t come with built-in antivirus protection, and the notion that malware doesn’t affect Apple devices is a myth. This is why using an antivirus tool on your MacBook is essential. Not only will it help safeguard against future threats, but it can also detect and remove any existing malware that may have already compromised your device.
Before we start:
While Trend Micro is a solid option for Mac users, MacKeeper’s Antivirus is an overall better choice. In addition to standard antivirus protection features, our app suggests a way more for Apple users interested in the long life of their Mac devices. Specifically, our suite offers cleaning tools that help optimize your Mac performance, blocks annoying ads, and provides private browsing with a VPN.
This is how to protect your Mac with MacKeeper’s Antivirus:
- Open MacKeeper on your Mac or MacBook.
- Find Antivirus under the Security section, and click on it.
- Click Start Scan, and wait until the scan is complete.
- Once the scan is done, you’ll see a list of threats if found.
- Go through each one of the threats and move them to quarantine.
- Restart your Mac, then select the threats and click Delete to remove them.
In this article you will find the following:
Selecting the right antivirus for your Mac can be challenging. As such, making an informed choice is crucial to avoid potential issues later on. In this article, our team of experts will cover everything you need to know about Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac, helping you make a wise purchase decision.
What is Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac
As its name suggests, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is specifically designed to protect macOS users from various online threats. Like any similar product, this antivirus solution provides features that block malicious attacks, safeguard user privacy, and help prevent fraud.
Before introducing its antivirus for Macs, Trend Micro offered other products for Apple users, including Dr. Antivirus, Dr. Cleaner, and Duplicate Finder. In 2018, these programs became controversial when it was revealed that they were capturing users’ browsing history, passwords, and other private data. However, these privacy concerns aren’t an issue with their Antivirus for Mac.
Who owns Trend Micro Antivirus
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is developed by Trend Micro, an American-Japanese company founded in 1988 in Los Angeles by Taiwanese couple Steve and Jenny Chang, along with her sister Eva Chen. Eva Chen has served as CEO since 2005, while Steve Chang is currently the chairman of the company.
Trend Micro specializes in security software for businesses as well as solutions for home users. The company operates 16 offices across nearly every continent. Tokyo, Japan, is the global headquarters, while Irving, Texas, in the U.S., manages the company’s operations. The global research and development offices are located in Taipei, Taiwan.
Features of Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac
These are all the features offered by Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac:
- Malware protection
- Ransomware protection
- Internet and email scam protection
- Manual and security scans
- Trend Micro Pay Guard
- Web Threat Protection
- Advanced AI learning
However, we’ll now focus on the app’s main features and explain them in more detail below:
1. Protects against ransomware
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is a good tool to use if you want to check a MacBook for viruses and get protection against ransomware in various ways. Overall, Trend Micro’s program is designed to block threats from cybercriminals who aim to lock files on your computer and demand a fee for their release. As such, this software helps prevent access to potentially dangerous websites or infected links.
One notable feature is the Ransomware File Decryptor, which assists in recovering documents that may have been encrypted by ransomware. Another useful tool is Folder Shield, allowing you to designate specific folders you want to protect–whether they’re stored locally, online, or on connected USB drives. You’ll receive alerts if there are any attempts to modify the files stored in these designated folders.
While these features are certainly beneficial, we should note some limitations we’ve identified during our test. For instance, there’s no option to manually add an app to a trusted files list, unlike the functionality available for Windows users. Additionally, to our eyes, the Windows version of the software appears to be more comprehensive, as it includes a special behavior-based detection module.
2. Safeguards against Internet and email scams
Similarly, Trend Micro’s antivirus software for Mac provides robust protection against significant malware threats, including phishing attacks. The program can analyze information linked to websites in search results and will send alerts if it detects potential phishing attempts or malicious intent.
At the email level, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac effectively identifies phishing attacks, particularly those that aim to steal sensitive information, such as banking details. Additionally, the software scans your social media accounts to safeguard you from infected links and enhance your online security.
From our investigation, one of the standout features is the browser extension, which offers added security functionalities. For instance, the Email Defender activates automatically when you access your Gmail account (it also works with Outlook on Windows). If you’re concerned about sharing your emails with Trend Micro for scanning, you have the option to opt out.
3. Trend Micro Pay Guard
One of the main concerns for Internet users is that cybercriminals can gain access to their online bank accounts. Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac recognizes this issue and includes a specific feature to enhance your protection—Pay Guard. This feature provides peace of mind when shopping online, making transactions, and checking your bank balance.
In our opinion, what sets Trend Micro’s solution apart from many other antivirus programs is that it integrates this functionality directly into your browser. Pay Guard automatically activates when you visit sensitive pages, opening a private window for added security.
Price of Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac
We’ve compared the prices for Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac to the other cybersecurity solutions the company offers for Apple users. Here’s the result:
| Antivirus for Mac | Maximum Security | Premium Security Suite |
| $29.95 per year (1 device) | $49.95 per year / $99.90 for 2 years (5 devices) | $54.95 per year (10 devices) |
At the time of writing, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is available in a single plan priced at $29.95. This subscription covers one device for one year. Before making a commitment, we recommend taking advantage of the 30-day trial period.
Additionally, Trend Micro offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its products. This means that once you purchase Antivirus for Mac, you have one month to request a refund if you’re not satisfied with its features.
We also suggest checking Trend Micro’s website regularly, as discounts on their solutions are frequently available.
How well does Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac protect
From what we saw themselves, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is a reliable program known for its speedy real-time scans. The software allows you to scan your Mac quickly—in about 45 minutes—which is less than the typical over-an-hour duration for a full scan.
It also offers customization options, allowing you to scan specific folders or external drives. However, we should mention that it’s not possible to run multiple scans simultaneously, though this is unlikely to be a major concern for most home users.
Trend Micro’s antivirus provides decent protection against malware, but it’s not flawless. The tech specialists’ feedback urges that the app can remove only about half as many infections compared to most reputable competitors on the market. In terms of protection against phishing attachments, Antivirus for Mac excels, effectively eliminating nearly all such threats.
The program also offers some level of protection against spyware through its Camera & Microphone Protection feature. However, this could be improved, as it only alerts users when a program attempts to access the camera or microphone without specifying which one.
Additionally, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac includes a basic parental control filter in this tier. While it’s somewhat limited, it can prevent children from accessing inappropriate websites. Meanwhile, you’d need to choose more expensive plans for more comprehensive child protection features.
Scores from testing labs
When evaluating an antivirus program, it’s important to consider the test results from independent laboratories such as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, based in Germany and Austria, respectively.
In a recent Product Review and Certification Report, AV-TEST concluded that Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is both safe and reliable. The lab reported that the antivirus was able to protect against 100% of zero-day malware and defend against some of the most widespread and prevalent threats.
In contrast, AV-Comparatives reached a different conclusion. Its recent Malware Protection Test reported an offline malware detection score of just 45.1%. However, the antivirus performed much better in online detection, achieving a score of 84.5%. Overall, Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac received a near-perfect score for its online protection capabilities.
How does Trend Micro Antivirus affect MacBook performance
We consider that Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac minimally impacts system performance when running in the background. This means that you shouldn’t notice any significant slowdown while the antivirus is active.
Hence, our experts’ verdict is that you can use Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac to protect against viruses, phishing, ransomware, spyware, and other types of malware without significantly affecting your Mac’s performance. However, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.
The first exception pertains to the installation process. Installing Trend Micro’s software on a Mac requires considerable system resources. The installation involves more than 1 GB of data, an additional 1 GB for the Installer folder, and seven background processes, which can temporarily impact performance.
Another important point you should note is the performance during full scans. While quick scans don’t noticeably affect the Mac’s performance, full scans can be demanding, especially when compared to the results offered by other leading antivirus programs in the industry.
Support and installation of Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac
Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is a cybersecurity software specifically designed for macOS devices. The current version is only compatible with Apple computers running macOS 11 Big Sur or higher. As such, if your Mac or MacBook was purchased before 2013, it’s likely not compatible with Trend Micro’s program.
However, before we continue with our review findings, note that Trend Micro also provides iOS solutions. This may interest you if all your devices are Apple products. In addition to iOS and macOS, the company offers software compatible with Windows, Android, and ChromeOS.
Beyond having a compatible operating system, Trend Micro recommends that your Apple computer meets the following minimum requirements: at least 1.5 GB of free disk space, a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core or Apple M1 chip that’s at least 1 GHz. In any case, our team of experts suggests having specifications that exceed these minimum requirements for optimal performance.
Once you’ve confirmed that your Mac is compatible, you can proceed with the installation process, which is straightforward and typically takes just a few minutes. Take into account that you’ll need to grant full disk access for the software to function effectively. If you wish to use the browser extension, you’ll also need to adjust the permissions in your system settings.
Technical support for Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac users
One of the significant advantages of using Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac is its comprehensive technical support. Namely, The company provides multiple ways to contact them, including a contact form, email, phone, and live chat.
Standard phone support is available Monday through Friday during business hours, or you can opt for premium support, which is available 24/7 for an additional fee. The live chat feature offers quick and efficient assistance from an agent.
Additionally, you can consult the community forum for answers to your questions. However, please keep in mind that the responses are typically based on the experiences of other users rather than advice from a technical professional.
On its website, Trend Micro also has a resource section that includes a glossary and an FAQ. You’ll also find a blog featuring articles on various topics such as privacy, vulnerabilities, phishing, artificial intelligence, and more. Plus, we see that they sometimes conduct on-demand webinars to provide insights into various cybersecurity industry topics.
Interface of Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac
When installing antivirus software for Mac, the first impression may be that it has a somewhat outdated interface. While some users may overlook this as long as the program functions effectively, it stands out, especially since Apple users often prefer aesthetically pleasing designs.
In contrast, Trend Micro has created an easy-to-use interface that is particularly appealing to beginners who may be unfamiliar with antivirus software. The main menus are conveniently located on the left side and include Overview, Web, Scans, Folder Shield, Logs, and More Tools. Navigating through these options and accessing the various functions is straightforward.
In the Overview section, you’ll see a large green checkmark indicating that your Mac is protected. If any important features are disabled, this checkmark will change to an orange exclamation mark. In the Web section, you can manage the program’s toolbar, which functions as a web extension.
To initiate a scan, navigate to the Scans section and choose between smart scan, custom scan, or full scan. As mentioned earlier, the Folder Shield feature helps protect your computer from ransomware.
Is Trend Micro a good antivirus for Mac
Trend Micro offers a reliable antivirus solution that provides Mac users with comprehensive protection for their private information against various threats, including malware, cyberattacks, phishing, and ransomware. However, although it’s a solid choice, it’s not without flaws, as indicated by some mixed results from independent testing organizations like AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST.
One of Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac’s standout features is its defense against ransomware. While the Folder Shield function has some limitations–particularly compared to its Windows counterpart–it’s generally effective at blocking attempts to steal data.
Additionally, Trend Micro excels in protecting users from phishing and spam. The software can help safeguard your social media accounts from malicious links. Moreover, the Email Defender feature allows you to grant Trend Micro access to your emails, enabling it to scan for potential threats. However, you may choose to keep this feature disabled for privacy reasons.
Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac:
| PROS | CONS |
✅ Real-time scanning ✅ Great protection against phishing ✅ Industry-leading ransomware protection ✅ Good scores from independent testing labs ✅ Doesn’t load the system or impacts Mac performance ✅ 30-day free trial and money-back guarantee | ❌ Browser extension not available for Firefox ❌ Email Defender feature only available for Gmail ❌ No firewall protection ❌ Limited parental controls ❌ Fewer features compared to higher-rank competitors ❌ Only one subscription type, which isn’t practical for multi-device users |
A security hint from us:
If you’re concerned about viruses, you might want to check our dedicated article on how to delete malware from Mac.
Trend Micro is a solid option for protecting your Mac at a reasonable price. However, MacKeeper offers more features for better value. In addition to antivirus protection, our app includes other interesting tools, such as a VPN for secure browsing. And even if you’re mostly interested in the security of your Mac machine, MacKeeper can boast of deleting 100% of the most widespread malware, which will give you piece of mind while doing daily browsing activities on the web.
Here’s how to maximize the benefits of MacKeeper’s Antivirus on your Mac:
- Launch the MacKeeper app.
- In the left sidebar, click on the Antivirus tab, right under Security.
- Click the Start Scan button.
- Wait a few seconds until MacKeeper’s done scanning your device.
- Click the Check All box to select all threats.
- Hit the Move to Quarantine button at the bottom of the window.
- Click Restart, then wait until the app launches again.
- Now, select all threats found once again.
- Click the Delete button and hit Delete to confirm.
Thanks to this high malware detection rate, MacKeeper’s Antivirus gained the new AV-Test reward in March 2024, which is another reason to be proud of our product.
In this regard, our final piece of advice is to keep your macOS updated to enjoy the best anti-fraud protection of your Mac computer with our app.
