Q: DO I NEED Virus Software when running mountain lion.

You don't need an antivirus. Commercial ones are useless, but there are some good ones like ClamXav or Sophos, if you want to try one, although you don't need it. See > http://www.reedcorner.net/mmg

While there's hours of reading on these discussions on the need for or not regarding antivirus programs, just about all will agree if you're going to use one, use ClamXav.

See here  >  Antivirus Discussion

Mac OS X tends to look after itself...

To keep your Mac Happy... See Here...

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

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

Mac OS X: About background maintenance tasks

mazak wrote:

 

Time to update VirusBarrier @ $44.00 a year. Or  take my chances and run bare-bones.

Save your money. As other have indicated, ClamXav will do most of what you need.

There are many forms of ‘Malware’ that can affect a computer system, of which ‘a virus’ is but one type, ‘trojans’ another. Using the strict definition of a computer virus, no viruses that can attack OS X have so far been detected 'in the wild', i.e. in anything other than laboratory conditions. The same is not true of other forms of malware, such as Trojans. Whilst it is a fairly safe bet that your Mac will NOT be infected by a virus, it may have other security-related problem, but more likely a technical problem unrelated to any malware threat.

You may 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.