Is Sophos Anti-virus malware or a legitimate program?

Legitimate, if still questionably necessary as is any Mac anti-virus software.

Sophos is a legitimate anti-virus program.

PLEASE NOTE:

If you search the internet, and find a ad for MacKeeper. DON'T DOWNLOAD.

Nasty piece of malware.

In conclusion, it's difficult to tell if Mac anti-viruses are legit.

Stick with Sophos.

Sophos is legit, but many users have found that it slows their Mac to a crawl. There are alternatives:

You will find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435

The User Tip (which you are welcome to print out and retain for future reference) seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.

Klaus1 wrote:

Sophos is legit, but many users have found that it slows their Mac to a crawl. There are alternatives:

You will find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435

The User Tip (which you are welcome to print out and retain for future reference) seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.

You would think you would get more RAM...

You would think you would get more RAM...

What has RAM got to do with it?

In my testing of the free Sophos AV, it didn't slow my machine down at all. Of course, it's entirely possible that it could conflict with other software and cause performance problems. Still, it's one of only two AV programs I would recommend for the Mac.