In other words, Mac users are often as vulnerable to modern malware as Windows users.

For Apple users who dual boot with Windows or share files between PCs and Macs, anti-malware protection is even more important.

Two companies, Symantec and Intego, offer dual-protection products for users who run both Windows and OS X on their Macs (see reviews below).

Its a easy-to-read guide that cover all aspects of security on your Mac.

Also included is access to Integos customer service team, something that free anti-malware suites dont offer.

VirusBarrier X6 scans for Windows and Mac threats, and you have the option of disabling Windows threat monitoring if need be.

And because Intego is a Mac-focused company, updates for new Mac threats are quickly issued.

An added bonus: VirusBarrier X6 includes scan options for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Given the companys focus on Windows, some reviewers think Norton Antivirus 11.1 for Mac comes off as an afterthought, but most find the products protection to be effective.

In the past, Norton Antivirus has been criticized for dragging down system performancea problem it seems to have largely overcome in this latest edition.

Antivirus 11.1 for Mac does not include a firewall, but because OS X already has a basic firewall, this is not necessarily a demerit.

The companys Anti-Virus for Mac will detect and eliminate both Mac and Windows threats.

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The product consumes few resources while operating in the background; part of the reason could be that it lacks the full set of featuresfirewall, link screening, resource monitoringfound in its Windows counterparts.

Its ability to detect and repair malware is, however, highly regarded.

Of the three paid anti-malware utilities here, Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac is the least expensive.

This free software does a good job of finding and removing malware aimed at Macs, but it will not pick up malware in files that can be shared with PCs.

While this may be a deal-breaker for those looking for cross-platform protection, the upside is that iAntiVirus consumes few system resources and is easy to use.

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Unlike many free editions of software, Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition doesnt interrupt you with constant solicitations to upgrade to a paid version.

If you run both Mac and Windows operating systems on your computer, or if you share files with Windows users, youll appreciate Anti-Virus for Mac Home Editions ability to detect and repair threats to both platforms.

Sophos Anti-Virus also provides you with a great deal of scanning flexibility, offering real-time and on-demand scans with options for exclusion.

The program lacks some of the bells and whistles of some paid programs, and Sophos does not provide any official customer support.

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