What’s happened? MacPaw, the company best known for CleanMyMac, has now launched a new standalone security app built exclusively for macOS, called Moonlock. It combines real-time malware defense, a built-in VPN, and smart insights in a design that feels like part of macOS itself. Moonlock protects your Mac without cluttering your menu bar with pop-ups or slowing your system down.
That’s important because: For years, Mac users have assumed their devices were largely immune to malware and they can skip antivirus software. Moonlock challenges that myth.
- According to MacPaw’s latest Moonlock Survey, 66% of Mac users faced a cyber threat last year, and Mac malware detections jumped 20% in 2024 compared to 2023.
- MacPaw says Moonlock resolves such threats by offering protection with no complicated setup, extra extensions, or bloated dashboards.
- With more phishing campaigns, malicious downloads, and spyware slipping through browsers, MacPaw’s timing couldn’t be better.
What does it offer? Rather than acting as a simple malware scanner, Moonlock offers multiple layers of Mac security. Here’s what stands out:
- Real-time protection: Runs quietly in the background, scanning for malware, and suspicious downloads, even if you quit the app.
- Smart Scan checks for system vulnerabilities, outdated apps, or weak settings that hackers might exploit.
- Built-in VPN includes a kill switch, region selector, and auto-encrypts connections on public Wi-Fi.
- Network Inspector lets you see which apps are sending data where and block traffic to certain countries.
- Security Advisor gives you everyday tips, from strengthening passwords and enabling 2FA to limiting risky app permissions.
- Smart Insights generates simple, readable reports instead of jargon-filled alerts.
And it’s all wrapped in MacPaw’s trademark minimalist design that is lightweight, fast, and very ‘Mac-native.’ For those who are interested, Moonlock is available at $54 per year for one Mac, with a seven-day free trial for new users. Its pricing is in line with other mainstream antivirus tools like Bitdefender and Malwarebytes that offer comparable annual plans, though they often focus more on cross-platform coverage or enterprise-level control.
