bendeb
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: I installed Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac on my MacBook Pro, which was recommended by BestBuy at the time of purchase. Was this necessary and is there any other kind of anti-virus that's better; or does a Mac even need anti-virus?

I installed Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac on my MacBook Pro, which was recommended from BestBuy at time of purchase. Was this necessary, and is there any of kind of anti-virus that's better - or does a Mac even need anti-virus protection?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Apr 23, 2012 10:40 AM

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bendeb

Q: I installed Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac on my MacBook Pro, which was recommended by BestBuy at the time of purchase. Was thi ... more

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  • by dominic23,Helpful

    dominic23 dominic23 Apr 23, 2012 10:57 AM in response to bendeb
    Level 8 (41,507 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 23, 2012 10:57 AM in response to bendeb

    In fact Mac does not need any anti-virus applications.

    Most of the anti-virus applications make Mac sluggish.

     

    But many use ClamXav. I have not seen any negative reports about it.

     

    Install all Security Updates provided by Apple.

     

    Best.

  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 23, 2012 11:02 AM in response to bendeb
    Level 9 (52,089 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 23, 2012 11:02 AM in response to bendeb

    The only antivirus software I have seen recommended by the knowledgeable elite on this forum is Clamxav which is free.  It would seem Best Buy increased their revenue at you expense.  I have no knowledge if this particular software (Trend Micro Smart Surfing) is good, bad or indifferent.  It seems that most of these third party applications are of minimal value and too often have a negative impact on the performance of you MBP.

     

    I use NO antivirus or 'protective' software and for the 6 years I have used Macs, I have suffered no problems.

     

    Ciao.

  • by bendeb,

    bendeb bendeb Apr 24, 2012 5:35 AM in response to dominic23
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2012 5:35 AM in response to dominic23

    Thank you very much for your help!

  • by bendeb,

    bendeb bendeb Apr 24, 2012 5:39 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2012 5:39 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thank you very much for your help! Can I also install the Clamxav along with the Trend Smart Surfing for Mac, or should I uninstall it first?

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 24, 2012 5:41 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 9 (50,228 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2012 5:41 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    OGELTHORPE wrote:

     

    The only antivirus software I have seen recommended by the knowledgeable elite on this forum is Clamxav which is free.  It would seem Best Buy increased their revenue at you expense.  I have no knowledge if this particular software (Trend Micro Smart Surfing) is good, bad or indifferent.  It seems that most of these third party applications are of minimal value and too often have a negative impact on the performance of you MBP.

     

    I use NO antivirus or 'protective' software and for the 6 years I have used Macs, I have suffered no problems.

     

    Ciao.

    Trend Micro is one of the better AV vendors, doesn't change the fact that the software is useless though.

  • by bendeb,

    bendeb bendeb Apr 24, 2012 9:46 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2012 9:46 AM in response to Csound1

    Is it useless just on a Mac?

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 24, 2012 10:11 AM in response to bendeb
    Level 9 (50,228 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2012 10:11 AM in response to bendeb

    bendeb wrote:

     

    Is it useless just on a Mac?

    It may be fine on a Windows machine, I have no idea, but as you have a Mac I don't see the relevance?

     

    If you need to install anti malware software for your own peace of mind download and install ClamXav, it's free, remove Trend.

  • by bendeb,

    bendeb bendeb Apr 24, 2012 2:25 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 24, 2012 2:25 PM in response to Csound1

    Thank you! This helped trememdously!