Are Macs susceptible to Viruses?

Macs are not susceptible to any known viruses - very few experienced users use anti virus software

Well there is a DNS trojan floating on some adult sites (if it asks for QuickTime plugin say NO). Plus if you are in the States then go over to OpenDNS.com and use the service and then sign up for a free account to block known phishing sites (they even block the known Mac phishing site as well as Windows phishing sites) as well as many other sites. They even have a video to show you how to use the service 9it is very easy and will make your browsing a little faster).

Now the one Mac trojan has been countered by a free application DNSChanger Removal Tool. If you feel you really need antivirus protection on you Mac then go the free route with either iAntiVirus Free Edition or ClamXav.

Also never trust a site that asks for you to install a QuickTime plugin. IMHO the only two QuickTime plugin you will ever need are Flip4Mac and Perian.

Yes, but a Trojan is not a virus.

Regards

TD

I've been using the Mac OS for about 15 years and only had a virus once, and that was hidden in a rogue font that I foolishly accepted by DCC from someone I didn't know.

I was running Mac OS9 at the time. This virus, hidden in the font, froze my system about every 5 minutes. Luckily I had been reading about that particular virus, and realised what it was. As soon as I deleted the font, the problem went away.

Since then NOTHING ELSE has ever happened. So in general, I would say that Macs don't get virusses.

As for PC users picking up virusses that have been transmitted through Macs: tough. They would probably have got those virusses from someone else anyway. I don't think Mac users have an obligation to protect PC users from virusses.

BUT.................................

If you are running Windows or Vista on your Mac, then you're in trouble, and probably DO need all the virus protection software you can get your hands on.

Eliminating virusses will never happen for as long as Norton, Symantec & Co. remain in business. They need virusses and employ thousands of people. I'm not saying those are the same people who write the virusses. Still, the thought has occurred to me.

The day the Mac OS becomes vulnerable to virusses is probably the day I shoot myself.

Zizerzazz wrote:
I know they are not prone to get them, but are Macs susceptable to viruses, such as the new koobface virus circulating on Facebook?
If so, what is the best antivirus software for the mac?

You should first update to Leopard.

I am not so sure Mac's are as invulnerable as they used to be. My MacBook (10.5.5) is constantly trying to connect to my PC port 139 via ports 55xxx and 56xxx (both are wireless), and I cannot figure out why. I have a separate post on this, where no one has offered any suggestions yet. I suspect it is a virus.

999andy999 wrote:
I am not so sure Mac's are as invulnerable as they used to be. My MacBook (10.5.5) is constantly trying to connect to my PC port 139 via ports 55xxx and 56xxx (both are wireless), and I cannot figure out why. I have a separate post on this, where no one has offered any suggestions yet. I suspect it is a virus.

You are correct. It is a virus called Windows

There are no known Mac virii.
The only malware on Macs has been invited in by the user via limewire, bit-torrent etc., or by visiting websites well-known for spreading malware - FaceBook, etc.

In all cases the malware must be given permission by the user to enter the computer, unlike Winders, where an unprotected computer, just sitting on the internet doing nothing will quickly be infected. The time ranges from a few minutes to an hour before the PC is swarming with bugs.

A knowledgeable user running a Mac has nothing to be concerned with.
Again, there are no known virii for Macs, so whether Macs are susceptible are not is moot.