Test : Intego Mac Internet Security X9
Intego's Mac Internet Security X9 is a collection of two security tools: VirusBarrier X9 and NetBarrier X9.
The function of the first is obvious, but the second is a two-way firewall, a component that is very rarely included in antiviruses at this price.
As a duo, they promise a high level of protection against direct and indirect threats from unwanted and malicious software.
You can purchase Intego Mac Internet Security for $24,99 for a one-year subscription on Mac, after which it drops to $49,99/year.
Otherwise, you have the Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 version at €39,99 for the first year, it includes other programs such as the Washing Machine X9 system cleaning application, ContentBarrier XP for parental controls and Personal Backup 10.9 , a backup tool.
Installing Mac Internet Security X9 is reasonably simple, you can either install VirusBarrier X9 or NetBarrier X9, or both.
Once VirusBarrier is installed, you are asked to choose your level of coverage. The options are: Minimum, protection against the most common Mac-specific threats and malicious scripts; Standard, default protection that monitors emails, attachments and scans for threats for all platforms (Windows and Linux) and Maximum, it enables all protection settings and options.
Features
VirusBarrier X9 has quite comprehensive functions. This tool can scan all files on any connected drive, including compressed archives, emails, and connected iOS devices.
Any suspicious files it finds are quarantined. It can then be marked as trusted, left in quarantine, or attempted to be repaired.
Repairs may leave the original file usable or delete all of its data if it is fully malicious software. During our test, it did an excellent job of detecting threats.
Malware definitions are updated frequently, these can be done automatically, or you can choose to simply receive a notification when an update is available.
Usage and performance
Running a full hard drive scan will take some time the first time you run it. The exact duration depends on the size of your disk and the number of files and compressed archives that need to be examined. A duration of 30 minutes to over an hour has been found to be quite normal.
Performance wasn't noticeably affected in our testing, but if this happens to you, there's a "reduced priority" scan choice in the preferences to put less strain on your CPU. The analysis is therefore longer, but it is an option.
VirusBarrier provides continuous protection, monitoring new linked volumes and scanning them automatically. You can drag individual volumes, folders and files into the main window for spot checks.
VirusBarrier detected all the malware we had installed and "unwanted software", including those intended for other platforms. We were also warned when we opened a disk image containing a malicious installer.
The results from AV-Test, an independent malware testing lab, are similar to ours and no false positives were detected (flagging legitimate software as malicious).
The NetBarrier Firewall
Intego NetBarrier is the other part of Internet Security antivirus. It has proven to be very effective in monitoring and reporting all outgoing and incoming communication attempts; it is a two-way firewall that monitors call attempts as well as intrusions.
We would have liked there to be background information on connection attempts. That said, the configuration options are very clear, and once you figure out what you're willing to allow, it's a very useful and unobtrusive network security tool.
Price and availability
Intego Mac Internet Security X9 costs $49,99/year ($24,99 for the first year) and comes with VirusBarrier X9 and NetBarrier X9, two handy security tools that effectively protect a macOS.
If you have more than one Mac, don't worry: you can select 3 or 5 devices at checkout, and it doesn't cost much more, which means you get great value for yourself. price.
Conclusion
In addition to the basic VirusBarrier and NetBarrier utilities, the Intego Mac Internet Security X9 package includes three other tools: Mac Washing Machine X9 (to declutter and optimize your Mac's performance), ContentBarrier X9 (to tailor user access restrictions inappropriate content) and Personal Backup 10.9. This backup utility offers benefits that Time Machine does not, including scheduled backup times and file synchronization between two Macs. Time Machine should be set up anyway, but why not add another safety net?
However, we regret that it is only Mac compatible, especially in the event that you have another type of computer or an Android, you will not be able to install and enjoy it.
