F-Secure Safe for Mac review, manual and guides

F-Secure Safe^[1] is a security suite suitable for all devices across all the major operating systems.

F-Secure Safe is developed by a Finnish-based cybersecurity company F-Secure. The company was founded back in 1988 and offers its customers 30 years of experience in the industry.

F-Secure focuses on providing cybersecurity products, including protection against various types of malware, viruses and other cyber threats, password management, endpoint security and other cybersecurity related products. The company ranges its products for individuals and business users.^[2]

F-Secure offers users a range of applications and security suites, including F-Secure Anti-Virus, F-Secure Internet Security, F-Secure Key, F-Secure Freedome VPN, F-Secure Safe, and F-Secure Total. F-Secure also offers mobile security application for Android devices.

F-Secure Total is a complete protection for online safety and privacy, while F-Secure Safe also offers protection across multiple devices, however, does not include a VPN service. F-Secure Safe starts at about $70 per year and covers up to 3 devices.

We decided to test the security application on our Mac.

Test results

The download and installation of the software are very simple and easy. It is worth to mention that before purchasing the software users can try F-Secure for 30 days free.

Antivirus protection

F-Secure for Mac combines traditional antivirus protection techniques. In order to test the security application, we have installed some infected files and malware in our test Mac and F-Secure has detected them all. In addition, we also checked how the antivirus system performed in bigger tests. According to the independent German-based testing lab AV-TEST, F-Secure demonstrates outstanding antivirus protection rates and has scored 96.4%. The industry average is 95.5%.^[3]

All the malicious and suspicious items are sent to the company’s Security Cloud. The cloud is constantly updated in order to ensure the best protection possible.

The F-Secure Security Cloud is a constantly updated online database of malware programs. Downloaded files with the biggest potential for harm are checked against the security cloud before they even reach your computer.

F-Secure did not deliver any false positives.

F-Secure also protects users while browsing and banking online. We tried to visit some malicious or phishing websites and F-Secure browsing protection successfully detected and blocked them all.

Additional features

F-Secure Safe is a premium-level security suite that is capable of protecting up to 7 devices across all the major operating systems.

The package includes the following features:

• Antivirus features that protect users’ security and privacy and keeps the device protected against viruses, ransomware, and spyware.
• Browsing and Banking Protection protects users while shopping, banking or just browsing online.
• Family Rules are F-Secure Parental Controls that allows parents to set boundaries for their kids’ device use.
• Ransomware Protection features monitor important folders and block ransomware from encrypting.
• The package also includes Anti-Spam, Game Mode, Hardened Secure Browser, Network Scanner, and Web Management Portal.

As you can see the package does not include many security and privacy features, it does not offer any unnecessary or un-useful features. If you want a VPN service you will have to purchase F-Secure Total.

System-performance impact and scans

When it comes to the system-performance impact, F-Secure demonstrated a relatively strong performance hit and usage of system resources. While working in the background, the antivirus system had an impact of approximately 20%, which is more than the industry average. During the full system scan, the application hit the system by almost 60%.

According to AV-TEST results, F-Secure had a system hit by just 1% while downloading of frequently-used applications and even 46% slowed down the copying o files.

F Secure offers various types of scans, including a full system scan or only check selected files and folders. F-Secure Safe also scans email attachments and has a sandbox to increase safety. Users can schedule scans daily, weekly or monthly. The full scan took an average of 40 to 60 minutes.

Every single file is then also scanned by SAFE as soon as it reaches your computer.

Customer support

F-Secure offers users advanced customer support and support tools. Users can browse the support webpage that includes the How-To & FAQs section and Help Forums. If you cannot find what you are looking for online, you can reach the F-Secure technician via Chat Support or Call support.

User interface

F-Secure has a very simple user interface. The main program’s window enables users to run an immediate scan. In addition, all the additional features are easily accessible via a couple of clicks. The interface looks fresh and combines white windows, with light-blue and dark-blue accents. What we did not like is that an online F-Secure account cannot be accessed from the interface, but only from the company’s website my-f-secure.com.

The final verdict

F-Secure Safe is a premium-level Internet security suite. We actually liked how the application performed, including its antivirus protection and scanning results. However, F-Secure eats some of the system resources and relatively slows down the system.

If you are looking for an advanced antivirus protection for your Mac and want a security suite across all your devices without any unnecessary features, F-Secure Safe is a great solution.