Q: do i need to purchase antivirus software?

No, you don't. If you want virus protection on the Mac beyond what's built into Mac OS X, use ClamXav.

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See Here  >  Antivirus Discussion

More Info Here  >  http://www.reedcorner.net/mmg/

You may also find these Links of Interest for Keeping your Mac happy...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1147

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/maintainingmacosx.html

Mac OS X: About background maintenance tasks

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/performance.html

No. Don't let anti-virus near your computer. It is hard to find a legitimate and unharmful AV program. However I do second Niel's recommendation of ClamXav, keeping in mind you don't need AV since Mac OS X has built-in protection.

IMHO AV software does more harm then good.

There is nothing for it to find on a Mac. At the very best it is using resources of your Mac to do nothing.

Some of the AV software while it is using those resourses manage to cause problems while they are doing nothing.

Allan

PattMax wrote:

 

Thanks very much. Very helpful.

You're Welcome... Enjoy your Mac 

You're welcome