Do I need anti-malware?

I'm a security guy so I would say yes. Don't listen to the Apple Geniuses if they say you don't. I recommend Norton. If you're a Comcast High-Speed Internet customer, you can get it for free.

The best available anti-malware is on the inside of your skull. Don't download software from untrustworthy sites, don't provide your admin password to anything you haven't gone looking for, and don't open email attachments you didn't ask for or expect.

Are you saying Symantec is untrustworthy?

On a Mac, Symantec, Norton anti-virus has a horrible reputation.

Stedman

You may be a security guy, but you're evidently not a Mac guy. Nothing with Norton in its name has worked properly on a Mac since the introduction of OS X eleven years ago, and all the experienced contributors here will agree unanimously that installing anything Norton on a Mac is begging for trouble.

Can you think of any anti-virus software that is trustworthy? Don't say Sophos because their firewall protection is annoying!

Don't say McAfee either!

Yes sirree!

McAfee?! You're joking!

I'm not sure how a firewall program became part of the discussion. The OP was asking about anti-virus software. And I have no feelings toward Sophos, either positive or negative.

Stedman

The only AV software most of the senior contributors here respect is the freeware ClamXav.

I have never heard of ClamXav, and freeware is sometimes untrustworthy.

I trust eww. If I was going to add any AV, I would trust him.

"and freeware is sometimes untrustworthy."

And purchased software can sometimes cripple your computer.

Stedman

I'm also new to the Mac world.... I loaded ClamAV but decided to not install the 'background engine' or real time engine or what ever it's called. As EWW said, I'm thinking about what I'm doing, using Firefox with NoScript and AdBlocker for browsing most sites. After browsing or downloading, I just do a quick scan. No issues so far. Always ready for more suggestions, however. ClamAV worked for anyone like this? Is there anything different you would do? - Thanks in advance.