duchuyhuynh

Q: Can Macbook get viruses?

I want to know if Macbook Pro (Mac OS X version 10.6.8) will ever get viruses, malware, spyware or getting hacked?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Nov 26, 2012 10:19 PM

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Q: Can Macbook get viruses?

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  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Nov 27, 2012 12:03 AM in response to duchuyhuynh
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Nov 27, 2012 12:03 AM in response to duchuyhuynh

    The heart of the OS, being Unix, no. Maybe 30 years ago when it was first programmed, yes, but not today.

     

    However, some support programs can be susceptible. Examples are Flash, Java. And of course, if you get conned onto installing programs from unknown origin, you get the same effect even though they're not viruses. Called Social Engineering, a favorite ploy of the hackers.

     

    And many purveyors with shady motives will try to scare you into purchasing their wares to protect against the phantom menaces.

  • by clintonfrombirmingham,

    clintonfrombirmingham clintonfrombirmingham Nov 27, 2012 12:32 AM in response to duchuyhuynh
    Level 7 (30,009 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 27, 2012 12:32 AM in response to duchuyhuynh

    See Thomas Reed's excellent Mac Malware Guide. I used one of his 'best' av agents, Sophos for Mac, to scan all of my drives and found nothing (but then I didn't expect that I would). I'm trying Sophos for a month so I can, if needed, recommend it to other users who might feel a need for av software.

     

    Also see his Mac Anti-Virus protection rates - we all used to recommend ClamXav but it sort of fails the test at present.

     

    Clinton