Sophos Home Premium Mac review

SOPHOS HOME PREMIUM MAC

Sophos Home Premium is a cybersecurity solution designed to protect your personal devices from a variety of threats, including malware, ransomware, phishing, and identity theft. Developed by Sophos, a well-established name in enterprise-grade cybersecurity, Sophos Home Premium offers advanced features that are typically reserved for business and enterprise-level security but are packaged for home users. The software is available for Windows and macOS devices, making it an attractive option for users across different platforms who want an all-in-one, easy-to-use security solution.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, performance, pros, cons, and overall value of Sophos Home Premium.

INSTALLATION and SETUP

Sophos released two versions to suit any user, Sophos Home (free) and Sophos Home Premium for Mac(paid). We review the paid version Sophos Home Premium Mac as it offers ‘all the goodies’ needed for perfect security off and online. Installation is somewhat different to normal antivirus applications as Sophos Home Premium is a cloud based application.

Once you created and activated your personal online Sophos account, all configuration settings are easily available and require no special skills or knowledge.  The available set of features, and cloud-based configuration, make it an outstanding offer.

WHY A CLOUD BASED ANTIVIRUS

With Sophos Home Premium Mac, you can easily view and manage computer security for anyone in your network or – whether they’re in the same house or in another country. Sophos Home Premium covers up to 10 devices on Mac or PC and provides full protection for each. Adding a device is simply done by sending a created link to the device you wish to add and follow the the instructions.
Sophos Home Premium for Mac allows users to easily manage security settings for registered devices directly from a browser by logging in at home.sophos.com. This ensures private users access to the “Dashboard,” giving them the ability to manage multiple devices, regardless of their location. The Dashboard allows new Mac’s or PC’s to be quickly and easily added, configured, and remotely scanned. Scheduled scans can be also be individually deployed and modified for each computer from the Dashboard. Notifications are provided, including information about scan results and security alerts for all devices. Sophos Home Premium central management is also very handy if you’re intending to install Sophos on multiple devices, as it enables viewing and managing everyone’s protection from one place.

Sophos appears in MacOS as just a system menu item with a few options, such as the ability to perform a manual scan. Because the software protects a system in real time, the scan function is needed only if protection is otherwise paused.

  • Benefits: The cloud-based approach allows to push updates to its interface without requiring a user download, and it also has the maybe most robust remote management.

SOPHOS HOME PREMIUM and SCORES

Mac AV-TEST scores are very good, but not the best possible as it detected 98.4 percent of macOS malware, over 95 percent of macOS PUA. These scores are from 12-2017 and Sophos didn’t run the AV-test in 2019 and 2020, but their Sophos Endpoint scored top marks in 2019. We do not know if all versions ‘home users’ and ‘business’ run the same scanning engine. But the scores are very good independent of any version used. Sophos Home Premium central management could also be very handy if you’re intending to install Sophos on multiple devices, as it enables viewing and managing everyone’s protection from one place.

PROTECTION and BEHAVIOUR

  • MacOS malware was found as soon as a (infected) file was unzipped from an archive.
  • Sophos prevented loading malicious web-pages software via the WICAR test site. All test were intercepted by Sophos !
  • Sophos has 15+ processes running in the background.
  • Sophos did not allow killing of running processes, it kept protecting files.
  • The cloud-based approach allows to push updates to its interface without requiring a user download.
  • Sophos provides real-time protection.

CLOUD INTERFACE and PREFS

SOPHOS interface is absolutely great looking and well layed out. You may notice the SCAN button which you may want to use besides the Real-Time protection. This is where I wish to make a remark towards the developers of Sophos. The scan button ONLY activates scanning of ALL your Mac’s drive ! It does not provide a connected device menu for your external connected drives, nor the ability to choose a directory instead of going all the way scanning your >1 Tb. This should be implemented on next versions please ! You can however scan from within your Mac through Finder:

So, all included options are shown to you at the ‘Dashboard’, of your cloud interface. Now the ransomware part of Sophos is like any other antivirus application (Developer), partly accurate because Apple’s silent internal Unix based, XProtect feature has definitions for all known ransomware, blocking it from running. XProtect uses virus signatures, so cannot protect against new ransomware malware or variants, but will block anything already discovered. Sophos is a next step help to keep you safe from ransomware attacks.

* Sophos Home not only provides advanced protection against ransomware, it can detect a ransomware attack in progress, block it, and automatically roll back your files to an unencrypted state.

Sophos Home Premium also blocks/recognises outbound network to known malicious servers, malicious website blocking, web filtering for parental control, and does alert its user for mic and webcam usage. Sophos handles the web and network stuff via its kernel extension, which examines all traffic and allows central management of options. As these days securing your documents and/or important data, is of upmost importance to have a Ransomware Protection function like Sophos available.
Better safe then sorry, as you never want to experience a real hack of your computers data, as my experience tells me that most people don’t have full backups of their data available. We all think, ‘This will never happen to me’ ! Well think again, and take steps in securing your valuable data.

* Small objection is the automatic log out from Sophos website (Cloud ). Is this a bug, or a well chosen safety feature, I can’t tell really !

🧰 NASTY UNINSTALL 

In case you ever want to part with Sophos Home Premium, an uninstall app is available, however there is a ‘nasty leftover’ from any uninstall
procedure ! You’re stuck with an extension which won’t let itself to be removed by the admin :

  • com.sophos.endpoint.scanextension No matter how hard you try, this extension keeps coming back. The basic ‘admin rights’ are not enough to deal with this extension. You
    may try to undo the Mac’s SIP protection and do a ‘safe reboot’ in order to gain some access to the file. This needs to be fixed by Sophos !

KEY FEATURES OF SOPHOS HOME PREMIUM

  1. Advanced Malware Protection
  • Sophos Home Premium provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and ransomware. It uses machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect threats, making it proactive in identifying new and emerging risks. This feature is especially useful against evolving threats like ransomware and zero-day attacks that often slip through traditional signature-based protection.
  1. Ransomware Protection
  • Ransomware is one of the most destructive types of cyberattacks, and Sophos Home Premium includes advanced ransomware protection. It monitors for unusual file behavior and alerts users if a ransomware attack is underway. The software also uses a real-time protection mechanism to block ransomware before it encrypts your files, ensuring your personal data stays safe.
  1. Web Protection and Anti-Phishing
  • Web protection blocks access to dangerous websites, preventing users from visiting known phishing sites and malicious URLs. The anti-phishing feature helps safeguard against fraudulent websites designed to steal sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details. Sophos also actively checks links on social media and email to ensure they are safe to click.
  1. Parental Controls
  • Sophos Home Premium includes robust parental controls that help manage your child’s online activity. Parents can block specific websites, set time limits, and monitor their children’s browsing activity. The software also includes a web filtering feature that blocks harmful or inappropriate content, making it an excellent choice for families with younger users.
  1. Device and Web Management via Dashboard
  • One of the standout features of Sophos Home Premium is its cloud-based dashboard. Users can manage all their protected devices remotely, monitor their status, and configure settings across devices. This is especially useful if you have multiple devices in your home or want to monitor your family’s security from one central location.
  1. Real-Time Protection
  • The real-time protection engine continuously scans files, applications, and websites to ensure that no harmful entities are trying to compromise your system. Sophos also offers scheduled scans, which run at times that you can specify, ensuring that regular checks are done without interrupting your daily activities.
  1. Privacy Protection
  • Sophos Home Premium includes privacy protection tools that safeguard sensitive personal data from being exposed to online threats. This includes blocking tracking scripts and spyware, which collect information about your online activities. The software also helps block malicious apps that try to access your webcam or microphone without your permission.
  1. Cross-Platform Compatibility
  • Sophos Home Premium is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7 and macOS (10.10 and newer), which makes it a versatile security option for home users who have multiple devices. You can easily protect your computers, laptops, and tablets across both platforms with a single subscription.
  1. Malware Cleanup Tools
  • In case your device is infected with malware, Sophos Home Premium comes with cleanup tools that help remove stubborn threats. If your computer is already compromised, the software scans for known threats and removes them automatically.

PERFORMANCE AND USABILITY

  1. Ease of Use
  • Sophos Home Premium offers a straightforward installation and setup process. The cloud-based dashboard provides a convenient way to manage your devices, track security alerts, and adjust settings remotely. The interface is user-friendly, and there are no complicated configurations to deal with, making it suitable for users of all technical levels.
  1. System Resource Usage
  • While Sophos Home Premium offers comprehensive protection, it does so without significantly impacting your system’s performance. Users have reported low CPU usage and minimal impact on system speed, even when running scans or accessing web protection features. This makes it a good option for users who need high levels of protection but don’t want their devices to slow down.
  1. Updates and Threat Intelligence
  • Sophos Home Premium continuously updates its threat database to ensure your device is protected against the latest threats. The software automatically updates itself in the background, so you don’t have to worry about keeping the software current. Sophos also leverages its enterprise-level threat intelligence to stay ahead of new and emerging threats, keeping home users safer.
  1. Support and Documentation
  • Sophos Home Premium provides a solid support infrastructure with detailed FAQs, user guides, and video tutorials. For more personalized assistance, users can reach out to Sophos’ customer support team, though response times may vary. Support is available for users who need help with installation, configuration, or troubleshooting.
PROS 👍
  1. Comprehensive Protection
  • Sophos Home Premium offers a full range of cybersecurity tools, from real-time malware protection and ransomware defense to web protection and privacy safeguards. The software covers every angle of digital security, ensuring your devices and personal data are well-guarded.
  1. Cloud-Based Management
  • The ability to manage devices via the cloud-based dashboard is a major advantage for users with multiple devices or families who want to monitor their security remotely. The central hub simplifies the process of managing and securing multiple devices.
  1. Advanced Ransomware Protection
  • With ransomware on the rise, the built-in ransomware protection is a standout feature. The software actively scans for signs of ransomware activity and blocks it before any damage is done.
  1. Cross-Platform Support
  • Sophos Home Premium supports both Windows and macOS, making it an excellent choice for families or users with devices running different operating systems. A single subscription covers multiple devices, which is a convenient feature.
  1. Parental Control Features
  • The parental controls are easy to configure and offer robust filtering and monitoring options. This makes Sophos Home Premium ideal for families with children who need protection from harmful online content.
  1. Low System Impact
  • Sophos Home Premium operates with minimal impact on your device’s performance, providing a seamless security experience without causing slowdowns.
CONS 👎
  1. No VPN
  • Sophos Home Premium does not include a VPN (Virtual Private Network) as part of its security suite. A VPN is an important privacy tool for users who want to secure their online activities and protect their data from prying eyes. If you need VPN protection, you will have to subscribe to a separate service.
  1. Limited Features for Advanced Users
  • While Sophos Home Premium is great for most home users, advanced users or those with specific security needs may find the features a bit basic compared to some other premium security solutions. It lacks some of the fine-grained configuration options that might appeal to power users or IT professionals.
  1. Limited Number of Devices
  • The premium plan supports up to 10 devices, which should be sufficient for most home users. However, large households or families with more than 10 devices may need to look into additional licenses.

PRICING

  • Sophos Home Premium is priced at $44.99 per year for up to 10 devices, which makes it an affordable choice considering the robust set of features it offers.
  • There is also a free version available, which provides basic protection (including antivirus and web protection) but lacks advanced features like ransomware protection, parental controls, and remote management.

VERDICT

Sophos Home Premium offers an impressive array of features that provide comprehensive protection for home users across both Windows and macOS. With advanced malware detection, ransomware protection, web filtering, and parental controls, it’s a well-rounded security suite that gives you peace of mind while browsing, downloading, and streaming online.

The cloud-based dashboard is an excellent feature for managing multiple devices remotely, and the low system impact ensures that your devices won’t slow down during operation. However, it may not satisfy advanced users who require more customization options or additional tools like a VPN.

At $44.99 per year, Sophos Home Premium is competitively priced for the level of protection it offers, making it a solid choice for families, individuals, and home offices looking to secure their digital lives.

Pros:

  • Comprehensive real-time protection and ransomware defense
  • Cloud-based management for multiple devices
  • Low impact on system performance
  • Parental controls and privacy protection
  • Affordable pricing for up to 10 devices

Cons:

  • No VPN included
  • Limited features for advanced users
  • Limited device support (up to 10 devices)

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Avatar placeholder

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Macapps.Cloud