IT Security folks want to wipe my iMac's hard drive because I didn't have Anti Virus! Help!

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IT Security folks want to wipe my iMac's hard drive because I didn't have Anti Virus! Help!

The IT Security people at my office shut off my Internet connection because they saw I didn't have McAfee installed on my iMac. They then took the computer away saying they needed to install it and scan for any infection that might have happened while unprotected.

Now they're saying they need to wipe the hard drive because "A/V will not detect hacked accounts and attack scripts". Their antivirus scans didn't find anything, however just because I didn't have their A/V installed, it's possible there could be something, so they want to wipe the hard drive.

Is this standard practice or is it as crazy as it sounds?
Any authoratative sources about the need for mac antivirus tools?
Is it true that antivirus software "will not detect hacked accounts and attack scripts", whatever that means?
They're letting me backup my files. If I DID have a virus, wouldn't it be copied back from the file backup?

Please help!

iMac, iOS 7

Posted on Sep 20, 2013 8:44 AM

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Answer 1

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Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Sep 20, 2013 8:55 AM in response to Johnmazz

They seem to be abysmally ignorant.

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

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Answer 2

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Sep 20, 2013 9:31 AM in response to Johnmazz

It is true, in theory, that once you have been infected, it may not be possible to determine what else has been downloaded and installed.

That said, just about everything else about their response shows a high level of ignorance. McAfee is terrible at detecting Mac malware. See my test results here:

http://www.thesafemac.com/mac-anti-virus-testing-01-2013/

Under no circumstances should you allow them to install it on your machine.

Regarding the possibility for infection (very unlikely if you're using an up-to-date version of Mac OS X, which protects you against all known malware) and the need for anti-virus software, see my Mac Malware Guide:

http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg

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