disposition of 'Quarantend Files'..?

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Level 1

147 points

disposition of 'Quarantend Files'..?

I recently ran the ClamXav software only to discover that it found 6 files with viruses...I choose to put them in a Quarantend File status. Since I have no virus program to disinfect them, could I just Trash them and be done with them.
Does putting them in a Quarantend file isolate them from my computer and their functions as well. Nothing different has happened to my computer operation since. Would trashing them cause a problem of operation of the OSX ?
I can include the files' descriptions if needed....

POWERBOOK G4 17", Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 5, 2007 12:38 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 5, 2007 7:38 PM in response to robert larkin

HI Robert,

At this time there is no known Apple/Mac virus. Even if you "isolate" the files that ClamXav software discovered, a virus effects your drive globally, meaning all your files whether they are isolated or not.

Send those files to the Trash. Anti-virus software on a Mac can cause more problems then a true virus. You don't need it.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

Jul 5, 2007 9:21 PM in response to robert larkin

They might be legitimate OSX files. Anti-virus software looks for data patterns that match those in known viruses (currently all Windows). There is no reason those data patterns couldn't appear in non-virus files. Just because things seem to be working does not mean those files may not be needed.

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Answer 3

robert larkin Author

Level 1

147 points

Jul 6, 2007 3:27 AM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

Thanks Malcolm,
The files are all listed as this:
Mac HD: Quarantine:
dialarch.jar-571971d9-589bcc77.zip/InsecureClassLoader.class
77.zip/GetAccess.class
77 2:InsecureClassLoader.class
77 2:GetAccess.class
77:InsecureClassLoader.class
77:GetAccess.class
Hope this helps to determine what they are and if they can be 'trashed'

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Answer 4

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Jul 6, 2007 8:27 AM in response to robert larkin

Take a look at this thread on the MacFixIt forums for an explanation.

Regards.

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Answer 5

Wade Peeler

Level 6

10,906 points

Jul 6, 2007 8:41 AM in response to robert larkin

Those files are an exploit for Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine, usually sent through e-mail. It cannot hurt your computer, as you are not running Microsoft's JVM.

http://secunia.com/advisories/8559/

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Answer 6

robert larkin Author

Level 1

147 points

Jul 6, 2007 8:56 AM in response to Wade Peeler

....so another words, i can trash these files without any affect on my Mac..?
AND do you agree with the previous response that having some sort of virus program for the Mac can cause more problems than it solves(Sophos-in particular)..?

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Answer 7

Wade Peeler

Level 6

10,906 points

Jul 6, 2007 9:08 AM in response to robert larkin

Yes, you can delete them.

I don't use any anti-virus software, but I don't agree that anti-virus software necessarily causes any problems. Many people use and are happy with ClamXav, Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee, etc. I think you just have to understand the state of malware on the Mac and how to handle things. Currently there are no viruses that affect OS X, but there are a few worms and trojans. You should be careful about what sites you visit, what files you download, etc. You should be vigilant, but not paranoid, and also not complacent.

The internet is a dangerous place, but you're safer using a Mac than you would be using Windows (note I said 'safer', not 'safe'). Use the amount of caution/anti-virus that you're comfortable with. Eventually, somebody is going to write a virus that affects OS X and we'll all have to get anti-virus software.

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