animist08

Q: Anti-Virus software

I too am yet to be convinced that AV software for Mac is necessary. But if you look at the terms and conditions in relation to banking online with your bank you will undoubtedly find that your bank expects you to have a certain level of AV software installed in order to comply with their fraud claims policy. Initially I tried the free AV software from Sophos but despite their claims It wouldn't slow my MBP, it did indeed, removing it solved the extra demands it placed on my processor. Taking advantage of a free intro offer from one of Australia's largest banks I decided to give BitDefender AV a try, even when using processor intensive applications I have not noticed any of the delays I experienced with Sophos free. The BitDefender AV user interface is simple and extremely easy to use and understand. I have noticed it does slow web browsing by about 15% but this is to be expected as it scans for malicious content. It's true, AV software developers sell their products by instilling fear. The fact I have complied with my bank's terms and conditions gives me piece of mind. Visit your bank's website and read their security advice, you may find they also offer free AV software from an established vendor. I highly recommended BitDefender if you are concerned about complying with your banking T&C's.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Jan 13, 2013 12:14 AM

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Q: Anti-Virus software

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  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Jan 13, 2013 12:16 AM in response to animist08
    Level 10 (93,329 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 13, 2013 12:16 AM in response to animist08

    Antiviruses aren't needed on OS X > http://www.reedcorner.net/mmg

     

    I recommend you to uninstall BitDefender from your Mac, and if you are skeptical, install a recommended antivirus as ClamXav if Sophos didn't work for you. Commercial antiviruses just slows down Macs and makes them unusable in some cases

  • by animist08,

    animist08 animist08 Jan 13, 2013 12:17 AM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (38 points)
    Audio
    Jan 13, 2013 12:17 AM in response to mende1

    You obviously didn't read the whole post in context

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Jan 13, 2013 12:19 AM in response to animist08
    Level 10 (93,329 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 13, 2013 12:19 AM in response to animist08

    I want to say that BitDefender is one of those non-recommended antiviruses, and we only recommend Sophos or ClamXav. With one of them, it's enough

  • by AnaMusic,

    AnaMusic AnaMusic Jan 13, 2013 12:19 AM in response to animist08
    Level 9 (57,241 points)
    Jan 13, 2013 12:19 AM in response to animist08

    Third Party AV Software is Not Needed... See Here  >  Antivirus Discussion

     

    Mac OS X tends to look after itself...

     

    To keep your Mac Happy...

     

    See Here...

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1147

     

     

    http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/maintainingmacosx.html

     

     

    Mac OS X: About background maintenance tasks

  • by clintonfrombirmingham,

    clintonfrombirmingham clintonfrombirmingham Jan 13, 2013 12:25 AM in response to animist08
    Level 7 (30,009 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 13, 2013 12:25 AM in response to animist08

    I've been running Sophos for Mac - the free version - for over a month now (I wanted to actually use it before I recommended it) and it's not slowed down my machine at all. Take a look at Thomas Reed's Mac anti-virus detection rates - Sophos is amongst the top contenders.

     

    I don't believe that Sophos had anything to do with any sort of 'slow' performance - I've experienced none.

     

    Good luck,

     

    Clinton

  • by animist08,

    animist08 animist08 Jan 13, 2013 12:42 AM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (38 points)
    Audio
    Jan 13, 2013 12:42 AM in response to mende1

    And just who is; "we"?

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Jan 13, 2013 12:43 AM in response to animist08
    Level 10 (93,329 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 13, 2013 12:43 AM in response to animist08

    The Mac community, and most of the people don't recommend an antivirus

  • by JohnTh,

    JohnTh JohnTh Jan 13, 2013 12:47 AM in response to animist08
    Level 2 (365 points)
    Jan 13, 2013 12:47 AM in response to animist08

    If you think complying with the terms and conditions of your bank for your MBPro gives you peace of mind, think again. Your bank's expertise lies in banking and Apple's expertise lies in computing. Your MBP does NOT need anything other than your common sense.

  • by animist08,

    animist08 animist08 Jan 13, 2013 12:56 AM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (38 points)
    Audio
    Jan 13, 2013 12:56 AM in response to mende1

    I have already acknowledged that I don't believe AV software is absolutely essential because of the way OSX is structured. But if you want your bank to return fraudulently obtained funds you may not qualify if you have not complied with their terms and conditions. If anyone has trouble understanding this I don't feel sorry for them just ashamed that some members of the human race can't concentrate long enough to educate themselves.

  • by animist08,

    animist08 animist08 Jan 13, 2013 1:00 AM in response to JohnTh
    Level 1 (38 points)
    Audio
    Jan 13, 2013 1:00 AM in response to JohnTh

    Let me spell it out. I don't get piece of mind knowing I have AV software running. It's only there to comply with what I have agreed to with the bank. Got it, good!

  • by JohnTh,

    JohnTh JohnTh Jan 13, 2013 1:08 AM in response to animist08
    Level 2 (365 points)
    Jan 13, 2013 1:08 AM in response to animist08

    No bank anywhere in the Western world wants to check your computer for any reason whatsoever and without the necessary legal structures in place. If you have an issue with fraud, immediately inform your bank because it is through your bank's software that the funds are being transferred from your account. The bank then blacklists the receiving account even if it is in another country (which takes time). Your account being so compromised means that your credit card information has been compromised to which your bank will take IMMEDIATE steps to rectify (and I mean IMMEDIATE). If you so wish to comply right down to what the paper says, then put any anti-virus software just before your online transaction and remove it just after (presuming that you're not sitting at the bank all day). On the Mac platform installing an anti-virus other than the ones mentioned here is akin to putting up a board outside your home informing the world that you are away on holiday and that the keys are right under the carpet. Its an open invitation for someone to come in and cart everything away.

  • by animist08,

    animist08 animist08 Jan 13, 2013 1:21 AM in response to JohnTh
    Level 1 (38 points)
    Audio
    Jan 13, 2013 1:21 AM in response to JohnTh

    I agree with you on just about every point.

     

    If a credit card number or information about a bank account was successfully compromised via a persons computer (not the bank's system) and there were $500,000 worth of fraud, dont you think the bank would want to make sure I had done everthing agreed to to prevent this?

     

     

    and

     

     

    How does installing AV software invite malicious interest?

  • by JohnTh,

    JohnTh JohnTh Jan 13, 2013 1:36 AM in response to animist08
    Level 2 (365 points)
    Jan 13, 2013 1:36 AM in response to animist08

    If your anti-virus software was in place when the fraud happened, the bank already has the relevant details of that. And if you didnt have it then, they know that too. If a fraud has taken place, they would know of that and the fact that your account has been compromised (along with other accounts). If your account doesnt show that huge an amount in transactions on a 'somewhat' regular basis, that too is flagged. After all of this, if you wish to install the AV software, then go ahead and do so. But thats just before you go banking online, and remove it right after (yes I know, thats a pain). Btw, most anti-virus software on the Mac platform do exactly the opposite of what they say. If I were you, I'd rather trust what members of this community have to say about which antivirus software to use rather than big advertised banners that you see everywhere on the Internet.

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Jan 13, 2013 3:07 PM in response to animist08
    Level 5 (4,801 points)
    Jan 13, 2013 3:07 PM in response to animist08

    I guess I would have to point out that the current level of A-V protection provided in a fully up-to-date OS X 10.8.2 would qualify today. If you crank up the settings on GateKeeper and now Java to maximum protection, I don't know of anything more one would need.

     

    Again, that's against today's threat. Tomorrow could be a brand new ball game. And you have to pay attention to the warnings given, not just automatically approve everything, enter your admin password or approve a certificate you don't fully understand.

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