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ebuell

Q: Antivirus?

I recently purchased a Macbook Pro - converting from many years using Windows machines. I haven't yet picked up my new machine. It is waiting for me back in the States.

My questions are: Do I need to buy antivirus? What kind is best for Mac? I have friends who use Mac and say they don't use any antivirus at all and others who say "better safe than sorry". Suggestions are very welcome as I am completely new to this.

Thank you.

Macbook Pro 2.0, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Sep 6, 2006 12:58 PM

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Q: Antivirus?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by hsaybasili,

    hsaybasili hsaybasili Sep 6, 2006 1:03 PM in response to ebuell
    Level 2 (315 points)
    Sep 6, 2006 1:03 PM in response to ebuell
    you will definitely not need an antivirus with mac os x. but, if you install windows on it, yes you will need it for your windows. but not for mac os x, or linux, or any other unix operating system.
  • by rnauth1418,

    rnauth1418 rnauth1418 Sep 6, 2006 7:36 PM in response to ebuell
    Level 1 (75 points)
    Sep 6, 2006 7:36 PM in response to ebuell
    DO NOT BUY one. if anything you can usea free virus scanner clamXav. it is all you need


    dont get suckered macs are secure!!
  • by Rajesh Sharma,Helpful

    Rajesh Sharma Rajesh Sharma Sep 6, 2006 9:01 PM in response to rnauth1418
    Level 4 (3,730 points)
    Sep 6, 2006 9:01 PM in response to rnauth1418
    Cla XAV is good and free. It's nice to be able to run a sweep now and again just in case and to knock out any Windows viruses you might have - so that you don't send them on. Do a search for Clax XAV on Google.

    Good luck.
  • by Alex6,Helpful

    Alex6 Alex6 Sep 7, 2006 6:36 AM in response to ebuell
    Level 2 (395 points)
    Sep 7, 2006 6:36 AM in response to ebuell
    consider that at the present time there are no known viruses for Mac OS X, i don't see the reason to install an anti-virus software.

    e.g. would you pay to spray your house for termites if you knew for a fact you had none?
  • by dhjaffe,

    dhjaffe dhjaffe Jul 6, 2007 11:28 AM in response to Alex6
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Jul 6, 2007 11:28 AM in response to Alex6
    Assuming I did want to get an Macintosh antivirus program for my new MacBook Pro, and I run Windows using Parallels Desktop, would I need both a Windows and a Mac antivirus program on the same machine?
  • by jayv.,

    jayv. jayv. Jul 6, 2007 11:51 AM in response to dhjaffe
    Level 4 (1,290 points)
    Jul 6, 2007 11:51 AM in response to dhjaffe
    Yes, you will have to install an antivirus app in windows too.
    I suggest you go with AVG for the windows environment (free) and ClamXav for the Mac side (also free).

    You won't need it for the mac but if it makes you feel safer and more secure then it can't hurt
    The least it can do is keep an eye on your mac email and notify you whenever one of your PC buddies has sent you an infected email.