Does Mac OS X need any Antivirus or Protection Software?

yes you would have to scan the folder/file/drive before moving them either way to be safe, but really only when sending the file to a Windows user.

Again, you are most likely safe, but to individually scan a file only takes seconds.

I was recommened to use ClamAV over other options such as McAfee and Norton becuase I didnt want something running actively rather than me initiating the program.

Windows viruses will NOT affect a Mac.

What whitewater2 said is that he does it as a courtesy to other Windows users.

The only reason I have Virus protection is because i share files to Windows users and dont want to pass a virus on to them even though it doesnt affect me.

Does Mac OS X need any Antivirus or Protection Software

OS X itself doesn't need it.

There currently isn't any viruses for Macs, there were a small amount of trojans which Apple tries to keep one safe with built in checks and updates, but one needs to apply some common sense and not download stuff from dubious sources like P2P networks, adult sites, overseas locations, trick popups, or links in posts etc. where the source can't be verified and thrown in jail.

If you have Windows files, then install the free, run as you need ClamXav and that will be good enough to remove/flag infected files.

Always on running anti-virus is bad for Mac's as Apple changes things under the hood and AV software causes OS X to break.

Norton and other AV software shouldn't be installed because it very confining which is required for a insecure machine running Windows XP for instance.

MacKeeper should NOT be installed because of same above and other reasons.

http://applehelpwriter.com/2011/09/21/how-to-uninstall-mackeeper-malware/

Contrary to what Apple would have you believe, their "AppStore's" is not quite as safe a place for software neither. Many are uploading users Address Book information and tracking location data and god knows what else.

Also it's very restrictive, you won't find LittleSnitch, LibreOffice, Firefox, SnapZ Pro X, Tinkertool, OnyX, Lion Tweaks, Carbon Copy Cloner or thousands of other great payware/freeware that many Mac users find essential but Apple deems inappropriate for Mac users to use or prior license(s) means the software is open source and can't be DRMed, like all software there is.

MacUpdate.com in my opinion has the best system to review programs, one simple line description and a rating by other users. Find what you want fast and easy, visually and via search. Links to other like software on the same page with ratings.

Not only that you can visit and deal with the developer directly, use their forums, provide feedback and so forth.

The MacAppStore is a sad joke in comparison, and this "Gatekeeper" implementation in the upcoming 10.8 OS X version to taint all outside sources of software as malicious is just a desperate attempt by Apple to push their already failed system.

Mac users want their choice of varied software sources, only to be warned away of the few bad ones, not confined to a Apple cage.

No controls, no restrictive ecosystem. No annoying selling/promotional attempts by Apple while one is using their Mac.

Allan Eckert wrote:

I have stopped recommending MacUpdate since their web site has been flooded with so many adverts for MacKeeper.

I wouldn't be so hard on MacUpdate taking MacKeeper cash.

It's on the MacAppStore too. 🙂

And SpeedTest.net and other places too.

Sooner they run out of s*ckers and cash the better, IMHO. 🙂

It's good training for new Mac users to check the user reviews before purchasing and installing Ad Block Plus. 😉

Viruses: I would use ClamX http://www.clamxav.com/ which is a free anti-virus program.

Spyware: MacScan, is for the removal and detection of spyware for a mac.

There is no separate class of malware called "spyware." That is a misnomer. All malware these days is spyware. Also, I would under no circumstances recommend MacScan. ClamXav will catch everything it does and more (such as Windows viruses).

For more on the topic of malware, see my Mac Malware Guide. Also, you need to be aware of a current threat that is highly dangerous. There is a variant of the Flashback trojan that can install itself with no user interaction, which is a first for the Mac. For more information on that, see Flashback using Java vulnerabilities and Flashback infections becoming widespread.

(Note that my pages contain links to other pages that promote my services, and this should not be taken as an endorsement of my services by Apple.)

Here are a few to avoid:
MacKeeper
Norton for Mac

MacDefender (this one is actually malware)

Note that you really don't need any software like this, but torrent sites can be bad news so stay alert. If you do come in contact with a virus it is probably Windows based, but you wouldn't want to pass it on, so again, I wouldn't use torrent sites.

simple ans: Anti virus 98% not needed

Hello,

How can I check my Mac for malware?

I've used my MacBook Pro for about 6 years without any virus problems (no suprise), but recently my girlfriend logged into her web base email, opened a spam email, and clicked on a link. Coincedentally, within days a spammer has got her email address and is sending spam to her contacts. She says she has not used any other computers but my Mac.

So now I am paranoid that I am the one guy that got a virus on his Mac. It looks like using ClamXav is the way to go.

Many Thanks,

You don't have malware. You've pretty much identified the problem... she "logged into her web base email, opened a spam email, and clicked on a link" and "within days a spammer has got her email address and is sending spam to her contacts".

What has happened is that her web based email has been hacked, not your Mac. Once you have someone's web based email password, you log into it and send spam from any computer anywhere. All she needs to do is change her email password for whatever email service she is using. It's a good idea to change it periodically anyway. This is actually fairly common.

Thanks Joey,

I suspected that was the case. Thanks for helping me out.

Cheers,