sim1234

Q: what is the recommended security software for a Mac?

what is the recommended security software for a Mac

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.1)

Posted on Oct 4, 2011 8:27 AM

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Q: what is the recommended security software for a Mac?

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  • by varjak paw,

    varjak paw varjak paw Oct 4, 2011 8:37 AM in response to sim1234
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Oct 4, 2011 8:37 AM in response to sim1234

    What sort of "security" is it that you're referring to?

  • by sim1234,

    sim1234 sim1234 Oct 4, 2011 8:38 AM in response to varjak paw
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 4, 2011 8:38 AM in response to varjak paw

    antivirus malware detector

  • by varjak paw,Helpful

    varjak paw varjak paw Oct 4, 2011 8:44 AM in response to sim1234
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Oct 4, 2011 8:44 AM in response to sim1234

    My standard spiel on malware:

     

    At this time there have been no confirmed Mac OS X viruses (subject to the semantic debate about whether the old iChat exploit, now long since blocked, was properly classified as a virus or a trojan horse, and not counting the Word macro virus that can affect Office v.X or non-updated copies of Office 2004), very few trojans and no adware or spyware. I therefore do not feel that antivirus or antispyware software is necessary at this time as long as users are careful about what they download from the Internet or accept as attachments via email.

     

    The most common exploit is a recent outbreak of "scareware" that people are encountering while web surfing. This "scareware" pops up and claims that your system is infected with viruses, prompts you to download their "scanner", then tells you that you need to purchase their paid software to remove them. These fake applications, appearing by many names including Mac Defender, Apple Security Center, Apple Web Security, and many others, do nothing at all other than turn off the fake warnings once they have your money. DO NOT fall for these.

     

    Security precautions for Mac OS X mostly are common sense: don't download and run files from sites you don't know, don't fall for any "you have viruses" messages, don't double-click on attachments in emails you aren't expecting and/or from people you don't know, and make sure you password your system with a non-trivial password and keep that password secure. In addition, don't leave your system available in a public place and unattended where someone unauthorized could use it and potentially install malware (such a policy is also a precaution against theft).

     

    It is possible for a Mac user to inadvertently forward a Windows virus to a PC user though you'd have to do it manually so the above precautions would probably prevent such virus-spreading, and said Windows virus cannot infect the Mac.

     

    If you do decide you wish to run antivirus software, I think that the donationware clamXav should be more than enough. iAntivirus has also been recommended by others, though I have no personal experience with it.

     

    If you are running Windows on your system, either via BootCamp, Parallels Workstation or another solution, then that copy of Windows is subject to all the myriad exploits common to the Windows world, so you need to take full precautions, including running both antivirus and antispyware software.

     

    Regards.

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Oct 4, 2011 10:19 AM in response to sim1234
    Level 8 (48,831 points)
    Oct 4, 2011 10:19 AM in response to sim1234

    You may find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435


  • by takaya,

    takaya takaya Nov 3, 2011 7:54 AM in response to sim1234
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 3, 2011 7:54 AM in response to sim1234

    A good antivirus, firewall, and backup solution would be about all that you require.

    Maybe some off site storage for true disaster recovery.

     

    It really depends on how valuable your data is, and how much time you can ford to devote to securing your system.

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Nov 3, 2011 8:54 AM in response to takaya
    Level 9 (53,640 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 3, 2011 8:54 AM in response to takaya

    IMHO you suggest will do more harm then good.

     

    I strongly suggest that AV software not be installed.

     

    Allan