F-SECURE TOTAL FOR MAC: PROTECT YOUR DEVICES FROM ROGUE SOFTWARE

Some security products that offer both Windows and macOS versions seem to devote equal time and resources to both versions

- LANCE WHITNEY

Others more heavily favor the Windows version, leaving the Mac edition lacking certain features and options. Such is the case with F-Secure Total for the Mac, which seems to be a full-featured security program at first glance but isn't quite on par with its Windows counterpart.

INSTALLATION

To use F-Secure Total, you can select one of the paid subscriptions right off the bat or go for the free 30-day trial, all of which prompt you to set up an account. The trial requires no credit card and even gives you free technical support if you need it. At the main screen, you're asked if you want to add your own device, your child's device, or someone else's device. Choosing your own device or a child's device then lets you download the macOS version of the software.

A wizard guides you through the installation and deposits you at the program's main screen, where you can review the different security featuresViruses & Threats, Password Vault, Privacy VPN, ID Monitoring, and Secure Browsing. The software also tries to help you by offering specific recommendations, such as setting up the password vault and turning on the VPN.

FEATURES

Your first task will probably be to hunt for malware. Clicking the Scan button runs a full scan that checks your entire system. Clicking the link for Viruses & Threats takes you to another screen where you can scan just specific folders. Surprisingly, there are no options to run a quick scan or even to schedule a scan. (The Windows version does let you run a quick scan.) Here, you're also able to check for virus definition updates and submit a sample of an infected file to the company for analysis.