Mac antivirus that cares, not scares
Forget the old ways of security software. Finally, cybersecurity speaks, looks, and feels human.
Antivirus for Mac never felt this good
The way we do things, cybersecurity can be something you might enjoy.
Finds hidden malware
An alert-free Mac isn’t always a malware-free Mac. Moonlock checks your
files, apps, and even Mail attachments at all times, so you know for sure that your computer is
safe.
Works the Apple way
Moonlock antivirus feels as if it came with your Mac out of the box, like Safari or
Finder. It’s lightweight, fast, and easy to use. It’s not Mac-compatible, but Mac-native.
Explains what’s up
If malware is detected, Moonlock tells you what it is, why it's dangerous,
and what to do next. You deserve to know more than a “Threat resolved” from antivirus software.
Keeps you in control
When a risky file sneaks onto your Mac, Moonlock neutralizes it but never
removes it on a whim. You’re always the one who decides what to do with suspicious items.
More than just a Mac virus scanner
Think of Moonlock as an anti-malware force field with nunchucks.
Try 7 days free
Threat watch
Real-time protection
Moonlock antivirus runs continuous background scanning, even if you quit the app. Like a ship’s radar looking for underwater icebergs, it keeps watch for malicious activity at all times.
Malware scanner
Mac malware removal tool
Mac is acting up? Check it for malicious files with Malware Scanner. Detected a virus? Lock it up and neutralize with Malware Scanner. Remove malware from your Mac? Sounds like a job for Malware Scanner!
vpn
Encrypted tunnel for secure browsing
When you're connected to unsecured networks, bad actors might see your IP address and websites you visit. A VPN encrypts your internet connections and makes them invisible to snoopers.
Network Inspector
Country blocker to shrink your digital footprint
Some apps and websites send your information to servers in other countries. How’s your data treated there? Nobody knows. If you’re worried it might be misused, cut off connections to the countries of your choice.
Scam Detector
AI
POWEREDTrained eye against phishing
Wisdom gained from thousands of scam messages, now on your Mac. Scam Detector is your gut check when a text seems even slightly off. Paste it, and see if your intuition was right.
System Protection
Guidebook to Mac security settings
Yes, Apple’s built-in security tools are impressive. But only if you actually have them enabled. Moonlock checks your system settings and walks you through those that need to be tightened. It’s never been easier!
Security Advisor
Actionable advice for a safer living online
What works best against cyber threats? Layers of protection! Moonlock offers simple ideas to build your cybersecurity onion (or cake!) with safe habits that exceed the functionality of any antivirus.
Checked and notarized by Apple. Verified by the industry experts.
AV-TEST independently tests detection ability and overall performance of antivirus software. Moonlock's antivirus for Mac has been proven effective against real malware in a vendor-neutral lab.
Apple has checked Moonlock for malware and cleared it for use on Mac computers. That means it’s completely safe to download, install, and use.
Threat analysis at work on your Mac
Supercharged by AI
AI helps Moonlock antivirus deliver the most recent macOS malware database. With AI, we classify unknown malware faster, so we can update your protection before threats reach your Mac.
Malware dissected
Moonlock’s malware database is built on our own proprietary tools and original research. That means Moonlock users are often among the first to be protected when something new hits.
Collaborative security
Moonlock gladly cooperates with other security products and teams, sharing new malware discoveries publicly. This collaboration strengthens the entire Apple ecosystem and allows us to deliver better anti-malware protection for you.
Give Moonlock a try, for free
Check Mac for malware, block unwanted connections, hide your IP address, and turn all security settings to the max.
System requirements:
515 MB, macOS 13 and
higher, min. 1200×800 px.
higher, min. 1200×800 px.
Latest version:
1.0.16, 03 August 2026
Pricing:
7 days free, then starting at $54/year
Considering Moonlock’s
antivirus for Mac?
Live support for Moonlock is available on https://macpaw.com/support/moonlock. If you have questions, we’ll be there to help.
Also, you can share your opinions about Moonlock directly in the app. Open Moonlock > In the menu bar, click Help > Choose Provide Feedback. Hopefully, you’ll say Moonlock is the best antivirus for Mac!
Also, you can share your opinions about Moonlock directly in the app. Open Moonlock > In the menu bar, click Help > Choose Provide Feedback. Hopefully, you’ll say Moonlock is the best antivirus for Mac!
You can get licenses for one, two, five, or even more than 10 Macs in one Moonlock subscription. Check out Buy now for prices and details.
Go to https://pay.macpaw.com/moonlock/. Sign in or create a Setapp account, so you can download the app. Once you installed and opened Moonlock, follow the instructions to activate it. From there, your 7-day trial begins.
As a cybersecurity division of MacPaw, Moonlock upholds the same high security standards that ensure user trust and resilience across the entire organization. You can explore MacPaw Trust Center to see how we protect data, what tools we use, and which certifications we meet.
Yes. Like any device, Macs can get viruses and malware. And it happens more often than ever. Moonlock Lab tracked a 40% rise in unique malware samples in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Some of it is built specifically for Macs, like Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS). In just two years, AMOS campaigns reached over 120 countries and thousands of Macs, stealing passwords and account credentials from infected owners. AMOS and similar threats are updated daily, so it pays to stay vigilant and keep your anti-malware Mac defenses current.
Some of it is built specifically for Macs, like Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS). In just two years, AMOS campaigns reached over 120 countries and thousands of Macs, stealing passwords and account credentials from infected owners. AMOS and similar threats are updated daily, so it pays to stay vigilant and keep your anti-malware Mac defenses current.
Yes, having a dedicated Mac antivirus is essential. macOS ships with strong built-in security, but in 2026 those defenses face something researchers have never seen at this scale: an AI-powered malware industry. What once took skilled cybercriminals weeks to build can now be generated in days by virtually anyone.
Apple protects millions of devices through responsible disclosure, extensive testing, and coordinated rollouts. But all of it takes time. Meanwhile, attackers use AI to run dozens of bypass attempts a day. That's why an additional antivirus for Mac is worth it, one that reacts fast to evolving tactics.
Apple protects millions of devices through responsible disclosure, extensive testing, and coordinated rollouts. But all of it takes time. Meanwhile, attackers use AI to run dozens of bypass attempts a day. That's why an additional antivirus for Mac is worth it, one that reacts fast to evolving tactics.
Some malware shows classic signs like a flood of ad pop-ups, overheating, browser redirects. But much of it shows nothing at all. Backdoors, for example, are built to stay hidden as long as possible. In fact, Moonlock detected hundreds of thousands of backdoors on Macs in recent years, and none of them showed symptoms of infection.
The surest way to know is to run a full malware scan of your system with a dedicated malware scanner. macOS doesn't include one, so it's worth having antivirus software for Mac that can run regular checks for you.
The surest way to know is to run a full malware scan of your system with a dedicated malware scanner. macOS doesn't include one, so it's worth having antivirus software for Mac that can run regular checks for you.
macOS has many security tools but no built-in on-demand malware scanner, so to run a malware scan you'll need antivirus software for Mac or a dedicated security app. When comparing apps, the best antivirus for Mac is one built specifically for macOS, because many of them are developed for Windows first and treat Macs as an afterthought.
Moonlock is one option worth considering. It's built by real malware investigators and macOS software engineers with 18 years of experience, so it's designed to keep up with the latest Mac threats.
Moonlock is one option worth considering. It's built by real malware investigators and macOS software engineers with 18 years of experience, so it's designed to keep up with the latest Mac threats.
macOS relies on a few layers that each catch what the last one might have missed.
Gatekeeper is the first: it flags apps Apple hasn't notarized, a sign the app could carry malicious code or come from a developer Apple can't vouch for. That's where you might see an alert "macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware". Still, Moonlock Lab found up to 20% of malware in the first half of 2026 carried a "Notarized by Apple" certificate anyway.
Next, XProtect scans files against a database of known malware signatures. On modern macOS its companion tool, XProtect Remediator, handles basic malware removal, too. But it only recognizes threats already in that database, and it runs on its own: there's no way to point it at a single file and do an antivirus scan on demand.
Finally, TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) steps in before an app can reach sensitive resources, so malware can't grab your disk, camera, or mic without your approval.
These tools are solid, but they're built to react to known threats. They need support from proactive malware detection software to cover what they miss.
Gatekeeper is the first: it flags apps Apple hasn't notarized, a sign the app could carry malicious code or come from a developer Apple can't vouch for. That's where you might see an alert "macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware". Still, Moonlock Lab found up to 20% of malware in the first half of 2026 carried a "Notarized by Apple" certificate anyway.
Next, XProtect scans files against a database of known malware signatures. On modern macOS its companion tool, XProtect Remediator, handles basic malware removal, too. But it only recognizes threats already in that database, and it runs on its own: there's no way to point it at a single file and do an antivirus scan on demand.
Finally, TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) steps in before an app can reach sensitive resources, so malware can't grab your disk, camera, or mic without your approval.
These tools are solid, but they're built to react to known threats. They need support from proactive malware detection software to cover what they miss.
The best virus protection for Mac is layered. The more layers you have, the better:
- Set built-in protections like Gatekeeper and app permissions to their strongest settings.
- Update macOS and your apps as soon as updates arrive, because they often patch critical security vulnerabilities.
- Add a Mac antivirus like Moonlock to complement Apple's tools and cover their gaps, for safe browsing and Mac malware removal alike. Dedicated software usually reacts faster to new and unknown threats.
- Stay informed about how threats work on macOS, especially the phishing and other deception tactics they use to trick victims.
- Reduce your digital footprint where you can: the less attackers can learn about you, the harder it is for them to craft a convincing lure.