HT202225: How to avoid or remove Mac Defender malware in Mac OS X v10.6 or earlier

Learn about How to avoid or remove Mac Defender malware in Mac OS X v10.6 or earlier
sabbam
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Q: Is Sophos Anti-virus malware or a legitimate program?

Is Sophos Anti-virus malware or a legitimate program?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jul 8, 2012 8:25 PM

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sabbam

Q: Is Sophos Anti-virus malware or a legitimate program?

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jul 8, 2012 8:27 PM in response to sabbam
    Level 9 (54,265 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 8, 2012 8:27 PM in response to sabbam

    Legitimate, if still questionably necessary as is any Mac anti-virus software.

  • by hcrane64,

    hcrane64 hcrane64 Jul 9, 2012 2:57 AM in response to sabbam
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 9, 2012 2:57 AM in response to sabbam

    Sophos is a legitimate anti-virus program.

     

    PLEASE NOTE:

    If you search the internet, and find a ad for MacKeeper. DON'T DOWNLOAD.

    Nasty piece of malware.

     

    In conclusion, it's difficult to tell if Mac anti-viruses are legit.

     

    Stick with Sophos.

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Jul 9, 2012 3:09 AM in response to sabbam
    Level 8 (48,858 points)
    Jul 9, 2012 3:09 AM in response to sabbam

    Sophos is legit, but many users have found that it slows their Mac to a crawl. There are alternatives:

     

    You will 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

     

     

    The User Tip (which you are welcome to print out and retain for future reference) seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.

  • by hcrane64,

    hcrane64 hcrane64 Jul 9, 2012 3:38 AM in response to Klaus1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 9, 2012 3:38 AM in response to Klaus1

    Klaus1 wrote:

     

    Sophos is legit, but many users have found that it slows their Mac to a crawl. There are alternatives:

     

    You will 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

     

     

    The User Tip (which you are welcome to print out and retain for future reference) seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.

    You would think you would get more RAM...

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Jul 9, 2012 4:12 AM in response to hcrane64
    Level 8 (48,858 points)
    Jul 9, 2012 4:12 AM in response to hcrane64

    You would think you would get more RAM...

    What has RAM got to do with it?

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Jul 9, 2012 3:34 PM in response to Klaus1
    Level 7 (30,924 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 9, 2012 3:34 PM in response to Klaus1

    In my testing of the free Sophos AV, it didn't slow my machine down at all.  Of course, it's entirely possible that it could conflict with other software and cause performance problems.  Still, it's one of only two AV programs I would recommend for the Mac.