HT201184: Solutions for connecting to the Internet, setting up a small network, and troubleshooting

Learn about Solutions for connecting to the Internet, setting up a small network, and troubleshooting
296FMJ
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Anti vires software for MacBook???

I have just replaced an old IBM Notebook with a MacBook Pro and wonder whether it makes sense to transfer the McAfee antiveres software across; or whether Mac has sufficient antivires software already?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Mar 31, 2012 6:51 AM

by Kurt Lang,Solvedanswer
Kurt Lang Kurt Lang
Level 8 (37,711 points)
A:

As long as it's paid for, then all you should need to do is download the Mac version of McAfee. May as well. After that though, I'd see no reason to keep up the subscription when the excellent ClamX is free.

I am assuming it is advisable to have an anti virus package installed?

Most Mac users don't run AV software at all. There's no great need to - yet. There has never been, and still is no actual virus that works in OS X. I haven't had AV software on any Mac I've owned. And that's well over 15 years.

 

The main thing to do is watch out for Trojans, which are growing at kind of a fast rate since that's currently the only easy way to infect a Mac; by getting you to install something. Stay far, far away from torrents. That's where most Mac malware is. It's stuffed into illegal software downloads. You install Photoshop, or whatever, but also whatever else is in the installer package. Once you enter your admin password to allow software to install, it has full permission at that point to install anything in the installer. It doesn't need to ask you again for things you didn't know about.

Posted on Mar 31, 2012 7:16 AM

Close
296FMJ

Q: Anti vires software for MacBook???

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Kurt Lang,Helpful

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Mar 31, 2012 6:58 AM in response to 296FMJ
    Level 8 (37,711 points)
    Mar 31, 2012 6:58 AM in response to 296FMJ

    Unless you're running a copy of Windows as a Boot Camp partition, or in a VM such as Parallels, then you can't transfer over the Windows version of McAfee AntiVirus, or any other Windows software. It won't run.

     

    OS X has some built in protection which it updates in the background whenever you're connected to the Internet. For a stand alone AV, the free ClamX is probably the best choice. It doesn't bog the system down like other AV software is it kept up to date.

  • by 296FMJ,

    296FMJ 296FMJ Mar 31, 2012 7:07 AM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2012 7:07 AM in response to Kurt Lang

    Thanks for your help. McAfee advises they have a Mac OS version. Already paid a year subscription which they will transfer, so unless you think ClamX is better, then maybe need to stay with McAfee? I am assuming it is advisable to have an anti virus package installed?

  • by Kurt Lang,Solvedanswer

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Mar 31, 2012 7:16 AM in response to 296FMJ
    Level 8 (37,711 points)
    Mar 31, 2012 7:16 AM in response to 296FMJ

    As long as it's paid for, then all you should need to do is download the Mac version of McAfee. May as well. After that though, I'd see no reason to keep up the subscription when the excellent ClamX is free.

    I am assuming it is advisable to have an anti virus package installed?

    Most Mac users don't run AV software at all. There's no great need to - yet. There has never been, and still is no actual virus that works in OS X. I haven't had AV software on any Mac I've owned. And that's well over 15 years.

     

    The main thing to do is watch out for Trojans, which are growing at kind of a fast rate since that's currently the only easy way to infect a Mac; by getting you to install something. Stay far, far away from torrents. That's where most Mac malware is. It's stuffed into illegal software downloads. You install Photoshop, or whatever, but also whatever else is in the installer package. Once you enter your admin password to allow software to install, it has full permission at that point to install anything in the installer. It doesn't need to ask you again for things you didn't know about.

  • by 296FMJ,

    296FMJ 296FMJ Mar 31, 2012 7:52 AM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2012 7:52 AM in response to Kurt Lang

    Thank you. Appreciate your help & advice. Think I will go straight to ClamX. I anyway minimise downloads. Best wishes. Mike