Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Security software advice?

I'd like some advice on which software to purchase/install that will detect and protect against trojan horses and other nefarious things that will attack my mac. I've recently had credit card info lifted from somewhere resulting in fraudulent charges. This could have come from a variety of sources but since I do a lot of on-line purchases, I want to eliminate the possibility that something on my computer is feeding this information to a bad guy. Any advice or opinion is appreciated.


I read on another forum topic that Macscan is good. Opinions?

iMac and Powerbook, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Nov 23, 2011 10:30 AM

Reply
6 replies

Nov 23, 2011 11:36 AM in response to sculptor for all alaska

Pretty much stay away from everything except ClamXav, which is free. A lot of programs you might install will do more harm than good. It's not harmful but I'm not all that impressed with Macscan. They recently missed or were very late updating the new Flashback Trojan, I think it was. Their malware catalog is completely inflated with ancient OS9 and pre-OS9 viruses and junk which can't possibly run on an OSX Mac. There are no viruses for OSX.


Best security is to use your brains. Only download and install programs you trust 150%. Only purchase from sites you trust. Stay far away from P2P.


http://www.clamxav.com/download.php


To protect yourself against browser exploits, use Firefox with the Add-on NoScript.


http://noscript.net/features


http://forums.informaction.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=268&sid=48849f02994dddad5465c 9649a797ae6


Also get WOT. It's not perfect but it's a lot better than nothing.


http://www.mywot.com/


And periodically google "mac malware" to see what's new and how to avoid it.

Nov 26, 2011 5:15 PM in response to sculptor for all alaska

If you think you really need it...


Free Sophos...


System requirements

Not sure if Sophos Anti-Virus will work on your Mac? These are the technical requirements:

  • Mac with Intel or PowerPC processor
  • 256 MB of memory
  • 150 MB of available disk space
  • Mac with OS X 10.4 (Tiger), 10.5 (Leopard), 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or 10.7 (Lion)
  • Supports all Apple Mac hardware including iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro and the new MacBook Air

http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-ed ition/system-requirements.aspx

Nov 27, 2011 10:42 PM in response to sculptor for all alaska

Best method is to backup, wipe and reinstall the operating system.


You might want to look into getting Deep Freeze for your Mac, upon reboot any changes on the drive are reverted.


You can have "thawed zones" like for users that can change.


This should keep most malware out of OS X itself, but of course programs an run from anywhere basically.


Also create a another Admin user, chnage your regular user to Standard to reduce prviledge level any malware gets.


Don't use anything online that your not willing to loose.



Also see my post warning here


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3529276

Security software advice?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.