Intego Antivirus Review 2024: A Top-Rated Mac Antivirus

Intego antivirus is a top choice for Mac users. With features like real-time protection, a firewall, parental controls, performance optimization tools, and an optional add-on VPN sold separately, it offers comprehensive protection. 

But Intego comes at a higher price than most antivirus software. This price may not be justified for some users, considering it lacks web protection and its best for macOS. 

A good antivirus is necessary to protect yourself from computer viruses and cybercrime, but is Intego good enough? We'll delve into the details to help you decide if Intego antivirus is the right choice for you.

Intego antivirus review at a glance

Price	$37.49–$139.99/yr
Free plan	No
# of devices protected	1 - 5
Malware scans	Manual and scheduled
Real-time protection	Yes
EICAR test results	2/3
Firewall	Yes
Phishing protection	Yes
Compatibility	Yes
Extras	VPN, cloud storage
24/7 customer support	No
Learn more	Get Intego

Our experience

We tested Intego antivirus on a 2017 MacBook Air running Monterey 12.7.6. Intego offers 14-day free trials for all of its programs, so we were easily able to sign up for its suite. 

We were surprised to find that Intego splits up all of its features: VirusBarrier, which conducts all the scanning, and NetBarrier, Intego's firewall, were two separate apps. ContentBarrier, the parental controls app, Washing Machine, the performance optimization app, and Personal Backup, for cloud storage were also all on different dashboards. This could be annoying if you prefer to have everything in one place. 

We did like that the VirusBarrier app is clean and easy to use. It lists the quick scan, full scan, and scheduled scan options all on the main page. You can also find the quarantined items right from the tabs at the top. 

The quick and full scans we ran took an average amount of time and didn't slow our laptop. We do wish Intego was more clear about the results, as it only listed that the scan was done but didn't provide a report. We checked the Quarantine tab but didn't find any threats. 

Overall, we think Intego is a standout program for macOS users with plenty of features, it can just be a clunky user experience. 

Who is Intego best for?

• Recommended primarily for Mac users and their families, especially those needing parental controls.

Unlike most antivirus software, Intego created a program focused on macOS. It includes real-time protection, multiple malware scan options, and a dedicated firewall.

Intego's parental controls cater specifically to Mac users and their families, making it an ideal choice for this target audience. These controls empower parents to safeguard their children's online experiences while allowing customized, age-appropriate access to the internet.

Intego's ContentBarrier allows parents to block undesirable content, individualize user profiles, monitor online chats, and set time limits.

Intego ContentBarrier is conveniently included with Intego's Mac Premium bundles, making it a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for Mac users and families seeking effective parental controls. 

Intego prices and subscriptions

Intego's price ranges from $37.49–$139.99/yr for its three subscription plans: Mac Internet Security X9, Mac Premium Bundle X9, and Mac Premium Bundle + VPN. 

Intego has high starting prices, but we've found these are standard when you opt for a macOS-focused program. For instance, MacKeeper's starting price is $71.40/yr for one device.

While it's pricier than some alternatives, Intego offers more than just antivirus, including a firewall, parental controls, and content filters, making it a valuable choice for families and those seeking robust security.

Intego also offers a simple Windows option that is compatible with Windows 7 and above, with prices for one to five PCs ranging from $39.99/yr to $69.99/yr for the first year.

	Mac Internet Security X9	Mac Premium Bundle X9	Mac Premium Bundle + VPN
Price for 1 year	Starts at $39.99/yr	Starts at $69.99/yr	Starts at $89.99/yr
# devices supported	Up to 5	Up to 5	Up to 5
Manual and auto scan
Real-time protection
Firewall
Phishing protection
Ransomware protection
Parental controls
Performance optimization tools
Cloud backup
VPN

Intego security features

Intego is respected and efficient, but has pros and cons like any other antivirus. Below is a quick rundown of what this antivirus has to offer.

Where we feel Intego does well:

• Both manual and scheduled malware scans
  
• User-friendly NetBarrier Firewall with incoming and outgoing protection
• Parental controls for content filtering and chat monitoring
• Personal Backup for your important files
• A super device optimizer just for Mac, called Mac Washing Machine

Where we feel Intego falls short:

• No dedicated web protection feature
  
• Inability to integrate with email services for anti-spam protection
• No anti-fraud functionality
  

Let’s dive deeper into each feature.

Malware and antivirus scan

VirusBarrier is Intego's malware removal tool. You can get it for free or included in any of Intego's paid packages. Think of it as your Mac's personal health checkup tool. It scans your Mac for viruses and malware, and it offers several features.

Here's what it can do:

• Manual scans: You can do a scan whenever you want. Just hit the "Start Scan" button, and it'll check all the files you can access on your Mac.
• Drag and drop scanning: If you're unsure about a file's safety, just drag and drop it onto VirusBarrier Scanner, and it'll scan it for you. If it finds anything fishy, it'll let you know.
• Scheduled scans: VirusBarrier Scanner can automatically scan your Mac at specific times. You can choose between "Maximum Protection" or "Essential Protection” or turn it off completely.
  
• Quarantine: If VirusBarrier Scanner finds any bad files, it puts them in a special Quarantine zone. They can't harm your Mac there. You can choose to "Restore & Repair," "Delete," or just leave them in Quarantine.
• Updating malware definitions: Intego checks for updates to stay up to date with the latest threats.
• Trusted files: If you have files, folders, or volumes you know are safe, add them to a "Trusted Files" list. VirusBarrier Scanner won't scan them again, saving you time.
  

Phishing protection

Intego claims to offer anti-phishing protection. There's even a Safe Browsing section on the VirusBarrier dashboard, which should prevent you from visiting fraudulent websites.

But w hen we cross-checked this with their customer support, we confirmed that Intego doesn't have a dedicated anti-phishing feature. According to customer service, Intego does block harmful files from phishing attempts. 

It also lacks anti-spam protection, because it has no direct integration with email services.

NetBarrier Firewall

NetBarrier is what Intego calls its firewall. NetBarrier is like having two shields for your Mac: one that guards against threats trying to get in and another that keeps an eye on what your apps are doing online.

Here's how it works:

• Incoming Protection: This acts like a wall, blocking threats like malware, spyware, adware, and ransomware from outside your Mac.
• Outgoing Protection: This is like a watchful guardian for your apps. It pays attention to what your apps are doing online. If any app tries to send or receive information that looks fishy, NetBarrier steps in and asks you what to do.
  

NetBarrier has a few customization options that allow you to set which apps can talk to the internet and what they can say. You can also stop specific apps from connecting to the internet entirely. 

Plus, NetBarrier has real-time popups that let you know whenever an app is trying to make a network connection.

NetBarrier is included in all of Intego’s Mac bundles. 

Real-time protection

Intego comes with real-time scanning to keep your device protected 24/7. You can toggle this feature on and off from the main VirusBarrier dashboard.

Bonus features

Intego offers a few more features we don’t see from every antivirus software.

Mac Washing Machine

Mac Washing Machine is a digital cleaner for your Mac computer. It scans your computer for unnecessary files, like old items and duplicates, and removes them. This helps your Mac run faster and creates more space for your most important files. 

It also helps you quickly organize your desktop and files to find what you need. 

Personal Backup

Intego Personal Backup is your Mac's data protector. It creates copies of your important files and system data on external devices like hard drives, USB drives, or even network storage. You can also synchronize data between two Macs or back up your Mac's operating system. 

Restoring files is just as easy as backing them up. You can set up simple backups with a few clicks or use advanced options for more complex tasks, all while ensuring your data stays safe. 

Intego Privacy Protection VPN

Without a virtual private network (VPN), your internet service provider (ISP) and other unwanted third parties can monitor your online activity. 

Intego Privacy Protection is a VPN that hides your IP address, ensuring online privacy, especially on public Wi-Fi or when accessing geo-restricted content. You can enjoy fast and secure browsing on a vast network of 35,000+ servers in 83 countries. 

Note that it only comes included in the Premium Bundle X9.

ContentBarrier parental controls

Intego’s ContentBarrier does a lot to help parents keep their kids safe online. It helps block inappropriate websites, monitor chats for predators, and more.

Here's how it works:

• Blocks certain websites and words to prevent kids from accessing content you don’t want them to
• Offers profile customizations so every family member can have personalized rules
• Monitors chats and emails you if it finds unsafe content
• Records what websites your family goes to, what they chat about, and what they type
• Controls which apps can use the internet
• Blocks spam, illicit emails, game violence, streaming, and sharing files
• Watches and keeps a record without blocking anything
• Emails activity reports of what was blocked

Intego test results

Every antivirus program we review undergoes three types of tests: measuring scan speeds, efficacy testing with EICAR test files, and reviewing third-party test results from independent organizations like AV-TEST. 

Intego had solid scan speeds, with its full scan taking under 20 minutes. It passed the two EICAR malware tests, but failed the phishing test due to a lack of web protection. Finally, it has high third-party test scores with both AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives. 

Scan speeds

• Result: Average

Intego offers the standard scan types: a quick scan to hit the most infected areas, a full scan to go through your entire device, and custom scans to review specific files and folders. 

Scan type	Time spent
Quick scan	4 minutes, 48 seconds
Full scan	17 minutes, 46 seconds

Both the quick scan and the full scan ran in the middle of our average scan times. Most programs we've tested take less than two minutes on a quick scan and less than 10 minutes on the full scan. 

The times are still solid and Intego kept our device running smoothly. 

EICAR test results

• Result: 2/3

We evaluate antivirus software using a method called EICAR (European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research). EICAR provides us with test files and tools designed to test how effective antivirus software is at protecting your computer. It's a simulated test to ensure the software keeps your computer safe from potential threats.

Test	Intego score
Malware detection	Pass
Drive-by malware downloads	Pass
Phishing detection	Fail (not a feature)

Intego passed two out of three EICAR tests. When we tried to download the malware files, it immediately sent them to quarantine. 

 It only failed the phishing test because it doesn’t offer phishing protection, therefore it couldn’t be tested.

AV-TEST results

• Result: Intego had outstanding usability scores and above satisfactory protection and performance scores

As far as third-party test results we start by checking with AV-TEST. Its a respected organization that reviews antivirus programs on three fronts: malware detection and protection, computer speeds while the antivirus runs (referred to asperformance), and ability to detect legitimate threats (referred to as usability).

Intego only submitted its macOS program for testing, which makes sense considering that's its most robust product.

Test type	Windows 11 score	macOS Ventura score	Android 11 score
Protection	N/A	5.5/6	N/A
Performance	N/A	5/6	N/A
Usability	N/A	6/6	N/A
Total	N/A	16.5/18	N/A
Date	N/A	June 2023	N/A
Link to test	N/A	Link	N/A

Intego received an outstanding performance score, having detected no false positives. Its markdowns were in the protection and performance categories. 

Under protection, Intego had a 99.2% detection rate for malware, while the industry average was 100%. Under performance, Intego had slower launches of standard software applications compared to the industry average (8% vs. 4%, respectively) and significantly slowed installations of standard software applications compared to the industry average (82% vs. 19%).

AV-Comparatives results

• Result: Intego was approved by AV-Comparatives

AV-Comparatives is another independent organization focused on testing security software. For its macOS testing, AV-Comparatives tests for malware detection and protection rates. 

Test type	Mobile security	Real-world protection	Malware protection	Performance impact (Lower is better)
Score	N/A	N/A	99.1%	N/A
Platform	N/A	N/A	macOS	N/A
Date	N/A	N/A	May 2024	N/A
Link	N/A	N/A	Link	N/A

Intego received a 99.1% malware protection rate for macOS samples. Its the lowest score, as most other programs scored a 99.8% or 100%.

However, AV-Comparatives approved Intego, proving that its still a solid performer. 

Intego compatibility

While Intego is known for its macOS suite, it's also compatible with other devices. Here's a breakdown of the devices and platforms on which Intego works:

• macOS High Sierra 10.13+
• Windows 7+

VirusBarrier is also available to perform a limited scan of your iPhone or iPad when it’s connected to your Mac.

Intego customer support

We found Integto’s customer support to be less than average compared to most other antivirus providers. It offers live chat, but it isn't 24/7. Its available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST.

Intego doesn’t offer phone or direct email support, but you can submit a ticket through the website, and their customer support will get back to you. It has a robust knowledge base.

Top alternatives

Interested in what else is out there? Check out these three options, tried and tested by yours truly:

FAQs

Bottom line: Is Intego good?

Intego antivirus is a good choice for Mac users, offering strong antivirus protection and comprehensive parental controls. However, it comes at a higher price point, and lacks anti-fraud, web protection, and anti-spam features. It has a VPN, but it’s included only in the priciest bundle. 

If you're a PC user, Intego does have one Windows offering, but it’s not as robust as its macOS offering. If you primarily use a Mac, Intego is worth considering, but those needing cross-platform coverage or more protection may want to explore other solutions.

Interested in checking out more options? Read our guide on the best antivirus software.