Anti Virus Software Yes or No?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Anti Virus Software Yes or No?

Hi Guys

I purchased a new 2012 imac earlier this year and Id just like your advice on those who have been mac users for a long time. I know theres alot of mixed opinions about the need for anti virus and internet seceirty software but Id like your advice. Do you think its necessary to have third party virus protection? I know that alot of people say that mac's arent really prone to virus and trjoens etc. But whats your opinion? Should I invest in something like Kaspersky Security for Mac?

Thanks in advance

Tamara

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

Posted on Jun 20, 2013 5:40 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jun 20, 2013 5:42 PM in response to mara_girl

No. Anti-malware software is really not required for OS X at this time.

Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection

An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.

Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.

See these Apple articles:

Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection

OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

About file quarantine in OS X

If you require anti-virus protection I recommend using ClamXav.

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Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

726,923 points

Jun 20, 2013 5:42 PM in response to mara_girl

It isn't unless you're running Windows on the computer; installing the free ClamXav and/or Sophos may be useful. Any Mac antivirus product which actually costs money should be avoided.

(84510)

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Answer 3

AnaMusic

Level 9

57,562 points

Jun 20, 2013 5:43 PM in response to mara_girl

Not iMO...

Have a look at this Informative Discussion

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5104047?answerId=22247724022#22247724022

In General 3rd Party AV Software is Not Required as Mac OS X tends to look after itself.

To keep your Mac Happy...

Have a look here...

http://pondini.org/OSX/Scripts.html

More Info Here > The myth of the dirty Mac

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

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Answer 4

Jun 20, 2013 5:44 PM in response to mara_girl

Short answer - NO.

Mac OS X is very secure plus there are no known viruses in the wild that infect Macs. If you feel you absolutely must have AV protection, the most recommended around here is the free download from the Mac App Store, ClamXAV. Absolutely DO NOT buy Norton or McAfee, they damage Mac OS X and are very hard to uninstall.

Do not fall for the popup ads for MacKeeper - another damaging and hard to remove piece of software.

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Answer 5

WZZZ

Level 6

13,220 points

Jun 20, 2013 5:47 PM in response to mara_girl

Just for anyone else encountering this thread: If you were running Leopard or lower, which are no longer being supported by Apple for security, I would suggest running Sophos. But for Snow Leopard (Snow Leopard, at least for the time being) and up not needed.

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Answer 6

mara_girl Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 20, 2013 5:49 PM in response to Ralph Landry1

Thanks guys for your answers I apprecaite it. This is what I thought too but I just wanted to double check. 🙂 I do not run windows on my mac and have no intention of doing so. I was aware of the nasty mackeeper popup ads, but thanks for mentioning that as well.

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Answer 7

Jun 20, 2013 5:59 PM in response to mara_girl

You are very welcome, and you certainly did the right thing in asking first...there ae so many that come in here and need help cleaning things up and wish they had done the asking first.

Just use good, safe computing practices and common sense - the best thing you can do.

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