Panda Dome Essential Review

The Mac version of Panda Dome Essential costs as much as its Windows equivalent, but offers much less with slow and unhappy on-demand scanning.

No one is going to contradict the assumption that every Windows computer needs antivirus protection. However, when it comes to Mac Antivirus, you will still hear inconsistencies. Those who claim that no protection is needed may feel different after losing their files after a ransomware attack. Yes, malware programmers certainly focus more on Windows and Android than on macOS, but Mac attacks are definitely on the market. Panda Dome Essential offers basic protection against viruses and limited VPN, but no more.

The prices of macOS antivirus products seem to vary more than on the PC. This is partly due to the fact that the functions range from simple antivirus programs to complete security programs. Trend Micro, Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus and Malwarebytes cost about $ 40 per year for a single license, as do many Windows antivirus tools.

Kaspersky and ESET Cyber ​​Security cost $ 59.99 per year for three licenses, but with Kaspersky, you get a complete security package. They also pay $ 59.99 for McAfee. However, this gives you unlimited licenses for all common platforms.

Priced at $ 58.99 for a single license, Panda is initially more expensive than most others. You can also choose three, five or 10 licenses for $ 70.99, $ 82.99 or $ 106.99. These licenses can be protected with MacOS, Windows or Android. Note that, although the Windows edition includes some suite-level functionality, the Mac edition is only an antivirus and a VPN with limited functionality.

Assuming you keep your macOS up to date, you will not have compatibility problems with Panda. Like Avast, AVG and Malwarebytes, he is happy with everything from Yosemite to the last. If you no longer use an earlier version of the operating system because your Mac is an earlier version, you should consider ProtectWorks or ClamXAV. Both support MacOS versions up to Snow Leopard.

I don't have almost the same resources for Mac-centric antivirus programs, so lab results are even more important. Two of the labs I follow, AV-Test Institute and AV-Comparatives, test Mac's antivirus utilities. And the two leave Panda out of their tests.

On the positive side, Bitdefender, Intego and Trend Micro Antivirus for Mac not only received the certification of the two laboratories, but also the highest possible rating of the two.

Panda Dome Essential works well for our practical phishing protection test and removes some Windows malware, but that's all we know about its functionality because independent labs don't test it. With your subscription, you can install protection on a fixed number of MacOS, Windows and Android devices, but it is much more expensive than the usual MacOS virus protection program. VPN protection is available, but it is limited in functionality and bandwidth.