DOES IMAC NEED INTERNET SECURITY OR VIRUS?
DOES IMAC NEED INTERNET SECURITY OR VIRUS?
iMac
DOES IMAC NEED INTERNET SECURITY OR VIRUS?
iMac
OS X has got its own security systems, so you don't need any security software. Just keep Mac OS X updated. See > http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg
If you want an antivirus, you can use Sophos or ClamXav, but you only need them if you have files you will transfer to Windows PCs. You might infect other PCs
Need is a matter of perspective. OS X includes a number of security measures to combat malware (Gatekeeper, XProtect, and a built-in Firewall); however, no system is completely foolproof. One of the best ways to protect your system is to develop computing "street smarts" and know how to identify and avoid suspicious locations and files on the Web; however, this takes time to develop. If you are uncertain of what to look for, and would feel more comfortable having a tool help you scan for and identify malware, then I'd recommend installing a lightweight and free malware scanner like Sophos Home Edition (http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-antivirus-for-mac-home-ed ition.aspx).
Of course any additional software you add to your system may adversely affect it, so often anti-malware tools are seen as unnecessary because of the potential for being intrusive without much benefit in return, given the relatively low level of malware that targets OS X. However, despite claims here and elsewhere of problems with their software installations, most anti-malware tools work just fine for those who have installed them, and reside benignly in the background, scanning and doing their thing.
Also keep in mind that anti-malware tools are just helpers. They will help detect known threats if you encounter them but are not guarantees of full protection. Therefore, do not assume that with one installed you will be able to freely open any file you find and be safe. Still apply caution to your actions online and elsewhere, and be wary of offers, unknown files, popup windows, and random update warnings (especially through email or Web pages).
You may find this User Tip on Viruses, Trojan Detection and Removal, as well as general Internet Security and Privacy, useful: The User Tip seeks to offer guidance on the main security threats and how to avoid them.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2435
In reality of course, there is no such thing as total internet privacy: US and British intelligence agencies have successfully cracked much of the online encryption relied upon by hundreds of millions of people to protect the privacy of their personal data, online transactions and emails: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/nsa-gchq-encryption-codes-security
If you find this comment too long or too technical, read only sections 5, 6, and 10.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user, but internally Apple calls it "XProtect." The malware recognition database is automatically checked for updates once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
For the reasons given above, App Store products, and other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. OS X security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the malware attacker. If you're smarter than he thinks you are, you'll win.
That means, in practice, that you never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source, or that does something inherently untrustworthy. How do you know what is trustworthy?
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good, if they do any good at all. Any database of known threats is always going to be out of date. Most of the danger is from unknown threats. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free anti-virus products in the Mac App Store — nothing else.
8. An anti-malware product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
A Windows malware attachment in email is usually easy to recognize. The file name will often be targeted at people who aren't very bright; for example:
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!H0TBABEZ4U!!!!!!!.AVI♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.exe
Anti-virus software may be able to tell you which particular virus or trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use the software unless a network administrator requires you to do it.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
Thank you LInc for taking the time to write such an articulate and informative post.
Thank you!
DOES IMAC NEED INTERNET SECURITY OR VIRUS?