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do i need a virus program for me mac book

do i need an anti virus or clean up program for my mac book pro?

Posted on Feb 3, 2012 5:16 AM

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25 replies

Feb 3, 2012 5:23 AM in response to jaser73

Mac OS X versions 10.6.7 and later have built-in detection of known Mac malware in downloaded files. The recognition database is automatically updated once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders. In most cases, there’s no benefit from any other automated protection against malware.


The most effective defense against malware is your own intelligence. All known Mac malware takes the form of trojans that can only operate if the victim is duped into running them. If you're smarter than the malware attacker thinks you are, you won't be duped. That means, primarily, that you never install software from an untrustworthy source. How do you know a source is untrustworthy?


Any website that prompts you to install software, such as a “codec” or “plug-in,” that comes from that same site, or an unknown site, is untrustworthy.

A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim.

“Cracked” versions of commercial software downloaded from a bittorrent are likely to be infected.

Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. No intermediary is acceptable.


Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can reasonably be.


Never install any commercial "anti-virus" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use ClamXav -- nothing else.

Feb 3, 2012 1:25 PM in response to etresoft

While I dont disagree with etresoft, it is good to know that there are a few reputable sources out there.


Already mentioned:

ClamXAV

Comodo AV


I run both, for win and for mac. Never found a virus on my mac system, false or otherwise with these two (no surprise there), both are not invasive in anyway. Comodo uses what it calls a secure DNS option, which sends DNS through its services.


I hope Apple systems stay this way forever. It is nice to not worry about virus's (so far) on any of my macs. Less overhead.


Now if I could not have to run disk verify from boot after updates id be a happy camper ;-)

Feb 5, 2012 11:33 PM in response to jaser73

Absolutely YES.


Here Are the reasons.


1) Apple recommends you use Virus protection. See http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10110852-83.html


2) There were 2 viruses found on my own Mac using Clamxav. "JS.Obfus-48" found in Firefox cache and ""Heuristic.Phishing.email.SpoofedDomain" found in Apple Mail.

3) Apple own app store offers Virus software 2 currently are free.

Feb 6, 2012 3:23 AM in response to macfrombrampton

1) Apple does not recommend one way or the other with regard to AV software at this time.


2) As you have been told ad nauseum on other threads, those items are not Mac malware.


3) Just because something is free, and in the App Store, does not mean that you must have it.


Please stop spreading misleading information and let people make up their own minds based on real information.

Feb 6, 2012 12:27 PM in response to thomas_r.

The app store software is examined by Apple personal before being placed in the App store. So I guess Thomas A Reed you know better than Apple what software they should allow on Mac OS?


Also no all the 8 or 9 Virus software is free only 2.


Oh, you may want to also read this other web site concerning Apple point of view on malware.


http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1530957/apple-provides-virus-protection -snow-leopard-upgrade

Feb 6, 2012 1:09 PM in response to macfrombrampton

So I guess Thomas A Reed you know better than Apple what software they should allow on Mac OS?


Who said anything about what software Apple should allow on Mac OS X?


Also no all the 8 or 9 Virus software is free only 2.


And that proves what point?


Oh, you may want to also read this other web site concerning Apple point of view on malware.


Yes, you might want to read that... if you want a good laugh! It's entertaining to read such an incoherent and fabricated bit of anti-Apple ranting as that.


Of course, it says absolutely nothing about Apple's point of view on the use of third-party anti-virus software. And Apple's point of view is irrelevant. They don't recommend for or against it. You have to make that choice on your own, based on available facts. Not based on fear and misinformation.

Feb 6, 2012 1:30 PM in response to thomas_r.

macfrombrampton,


Your first cnet article is 4 years old. Even the fan - est of fan boys would not say that a mac is completely invulnerable. "Apple encouraging widespread use of antivirus software" There have been very few reasons why we need virus software for Mac systems. The biggest reason I have in my personal experiance is because Mac systems can be "carriers" for virus's that effect windows systems, and when sharing back and forth between Mac and PC, this "can" cause an issue.


Your second article is from the Inquirer. Really? i mean Really? geeze.


If your Mac system running antivirus has actually picked something up, more than likely it found something you downloaded, a virus for windows, but you own a mac, so nothing happened. A virus built for windows will not run on a mac system (obviously parallels and virtual box and bootcamp installs can be vulnerable).


Why do we get virus's? Because we dont listen to Silly rabbit and browse safe. We say we do but do we really? I mean really? nope.


Anyway I am happy with not worrying about virus's for my macs. I dont worry about virus's on my Win7 beast at home either. Why? I visit the unsafe sites on my mac :-p

Feb 6, 2012 1:32 PM in response to jaser73

You do not need an anti-virus program but there are some apps that help clean and keep your system running smoothly, although not entirely necessary. One that comes to mind is Onyxwhich is free. OS X does a decent job at keeping your system well kept, but if you have a laptop and/or do not have it running 24/7 then some of the scripts do not have a chance to execute.

do i need a virus program for me mac book

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