I received an email today (from "csufresno.edu") that I have spyware on my computer. I did not open this email. However, should I install Sopho Anti-virus for Mac Home Editions?
iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)
Helpful Links Regarding Virus Protection
An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.
Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on malware.
For general anti-virus protection I recommend using ClamXav.
A computer Virus, is specific to an operating system. For example, if you receive an email with a virus for Windows Vista attached to it, YOU will not get the virus, as you are not running the Windows OS. If however, you forward that email to someone who does have Windows Vista computer, they can get the virus. If you forward to someone who has Windows XP, they won't get it, as they are not running Windows Vista.
You can forwarded a virus in an email, but not have it yourself. Why do you think that you have a virus?
Running a virus protection software, is about the only way you can safe guard against this.
See these links for some ideas - http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/15850/clamxav. and http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-ed ition.aspx. You may also want to look here - http://www.reedcorner.net/mmg/
If that isn't the case, and it's not required that you have a/v software installed, don't.
Sophos has caused problems for others and they have had to uninstall it.
The email you refer to sounds like a phishing scam I've read about. I would delete it. The scam I've read about usually demands money to remove the malware and often installs spyware on the computer.
Do you attend Fresno State University, or do you have any reason to believe they would be sending you email?
If so, tell their IT department to stop bothering you.
If not, delete the email and forget you ever saw it.
Joanne3927 wrote:
I received an email today (from "csufresno.edu") that I have spyware on my computer. I did not open this email.
Just for completeness, there is currently no malware that we know about which could impact OS X by reading an e-mail. Although it's conceivable that something like that could be developed in the future, it would have been safe to have taken a look at it as long as you didn't click on any links or open any attachments.
About the worst that could happen is that a tiny transparent image would be used to notify someone that you had opened the e-mail if you have chosen to display images in Mail. If it was spam, then you might receive more spam in the future. That's why mine is off by default.
Sometimes IT departments scan open ports and services on computers on their networks, and will send out these emails; however, I would not recommend you trust the content of the emails only. For one they're usually automated so they're likely false-positives, and are often geared for PC systems. As mentioned above, if you contact the IT department you can likely sort it out.
Need for anti-virus protection?
