Glasseye49

Q: Protection from Malware

How do I protect my mac from internet web site malware attacks?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Aug 10, 2016 8:03 AM

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Q: Protection from Malware

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Aug 10, 2016 8:05 AM in response to Glasseye49
    Level 10 (311,478 points)
    Aug 10, 2016 8:05 AM in response to Glasseye49

    Avoid visiting questionable sites, or downloading software from sources other than the Mac App Store and the developer websites.

     

    (143941)

  • by qsszb,

    qsszb qsszb Aug 10, 2016 8:13 AM in response to Glasseye49
    Level 3 (518 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 10, 2016 8:13 AM in response to Glasseye49

    For security it might be worth looking into Apple Mac Anti Virus. People do say that you dont need them and Apple is more secure, but nothing is 100%.

     

    Sophos have a free one that is meant to be quite good, and is a reputable and used Anti Virus company. Can be found on Sophos Website. https://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-e dition.aspx

     

    There are some Paid for ones out there, but I know people who have been using it for a while and it has caught some form of virus or malware.

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Aug 10, 2016 8:37 AM in response to qsszb
    Level 9 (58,088 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 10, 2016 8:37 AM in response to qsszb

    qsszb wrote:

     

    For security it might be worth looking into Apple Mac Anti Virus. People do say that you dont need them and Apple is more secure, but nothing is 100%.

     

    Sophos have a free one that is meant to be quite good, and is a reputable and used Anti Virus company. Can be found on Sophos Website. https://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-e dition.aspx

     

    There are some Paid for ones out there, but I know people who have been using it for a while and it has caught some form of virus or malware.

    OS X does not need ANY antivirus, cleaning, or other third party maintenance applications. In most cases if OS X is simply kept up-to-date it will run well for years! Sophos and other AV apps have a long history of causing more problems than they solve and should be avoided at all costs.

     

    Please carefully read Viruses, Trojans, Malware - and other aspects of Internet Security

  • by qsszb,

    qsszb qsszb Aug 10, 2016 8:45 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 3 (518 points)
    iCloud
    Aug 10, 2016 8:45 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    I fully agree with that statement. OSX is a hardened operating system and so far there have been no reported Wild threats - as you have to install them.

     

    There is a difference from a security standpoint that just because it has never happened, doesnt mean it wont.

     

    Infact, back before MobileMe, the service was called .mac and included McAfee Virex - so apple bundled a antivirus product using their own cloud service https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MobileMe#.Mac - So its a personal preference if you think that AV/Malware detection is of value.

     

    I still agree that personally I would just be careful where you visit and what you install on your mac and you will be fine, which is why I suggested free software rather than paid for software if you want to use it.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Aug 10, 2016 10:55 AM in response to Glasseye49
    Level 8 (48,385 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 10, 2016 10:55 AM in response to Glasseye49
  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Aug 10, 2016 11:02 AM in response to qsszb
    Level 5 (6,770 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 10, 2016 11:02 AM in response to qsszb

    or load handgun, point at foot, fire, repeat

    No one is saying it can't happen but all these AV solutions have NEVER encountered an actual Mac threat in the wild and their response to it is unknown. what is known is they continually cause interference with OS X and they have fewer developers, far less time to develop and mature and absolutely no integration assistance with Apple Computer. If you are using your Mac to protect against windows AV this is like using a gerbil to guard your house against an actual zombie outbreak. Windows AV's are light years more adaptive.

  • by Carolyn Samit,

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Aug 10, 2016 12:47 PM in response to Glasseye49
    Level 10 (119,530 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 10, 2016 12:47 PM in response to Glasseye49

    Keeping OS X always up to date can help to avoid malware.

     

    Open the System Preferences > App Store then click Check Now.

     

     

    Your profile indicate your Mac is running v10.9 Mavericks.

     

    You may want to consider upgrading to v10.11 El Capitan >  About System Integrity Protection on your Mac - Apple Support

  • by woodmeister50,

    woodmeister50 woodmeister50 Aug 11, 2016 3:28 AM in response to Glasseye49
    Level 5 (5,500 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 11, 2016 3:28 AM in response to Glasseye49

    A few very simple things to do that don't require any thing additional.

    1.  Create a Standard user for everyday use and only use an Administrator

         account when you really need to update or install software.

    2.  In Security & Privacy Preferences under General, set "Allow apps downloaded

         from:"  to Mac App Store.  You can always change this to install non- Mac App

         Store products as needed.

    3.  Ignore any add or splash screen from any website that says "Your Mac is infected"

         or "There is a problem with your computer".  There is no way for any website to know

         what condition your computer is in or what is on it, unless you specifically grant permission

         to install (1 & 2 should prevent this anyway).

    4.  If you didn't ask for it, don't download it!!!!!!

    5.  Only install software downloaded directly from vendor sites! 

    6.  Never click on any link in an email for any financial institution unless you know for a fact

         that it is part of a specific process that YOU initiated.  Always go to the site from your

         browser (or app) and log in directly.  A lot of "There is a problem with your account" phishing

         emails being distributed.

    7.  Common sense!!!