After teasing its release earlier this month, MacPaw, the macOS software company behind many beloved apps such as CleanMyMac and Setapp, has officially launched Moonlock today. It’s an all-new standalone cybersecurity application built to give you real-time protection, visibility into your Mac’s security posture, and provide clear steps to improve it, without overcomplicating things. The look, feel, and even sound design are exactly what you’d expect from MacPaw.
Moonlock is built on the same engine that has powered CleanMyMac’s security features since 2023, and is backed by MacPaw’s own in-house research lab, which actively tracks Mac-specific malware, stealer families, AMOS variants, and other baddies.
This engine, validated independently by AV-TEST and notarized by Apple, is now being spun out into its own dedicated product, no longer limited by a maintenance-focused framework. My favorite thing about the new Moonlock app is that its made not only to detect and stop threats but to make cybersecurity approachable with a friendly neon look, unique sound design cues when performing tasks, and personalized insights intended to help users build lasting cybersecurity habits rather than merely reacting to alerts.
The now standalone app enters the market at a critical moment for macOS users, where threats are expanding faster than Apple’s native tools are evolving.
Some of the latest data shows that 66% of Mac users faced a cyber threat last year, while MacPaw’s own malware detections rose by 20% in 2024 compared to 2023. Why is this? Mac adoption is surging. Shipments outpaced global PC growth by nearly double during the last quarter alone, largely driven by increased enterprise adoption and the popularity of new models. Conversely, this is creating an expanding attack surface, making the macOS platform increasingly lucrative for cybercriminals to carry out attacks.
We’re in the midst of a significant shift—one not lost on MacPaw, with over 30 million users worldwide.
Key Moonlock features
Alright, let’s get into the exciting part: what Moonlock does. The application is divided into six main tabs:
Home
Home is basically your security control center. It’s the first thing you see when you open the application and shows your protection level (“Weakened Mac” in my case), a list of hardening recommendations, feature monitors (including Detection History), and a visual representation of your Mac’s security status.
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