nickel_man_65

Q: Since installing OSX 10 my iMac randomly shuts down and restarts.  I can not determine why this is happening.  Any ideas?

Since installing OSX 10, my iMac randomly shuts down and restarts.  I can not determine why this is happening.  Any ideas?

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Dec 19, 2013 10:53 PM

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Q: Since installing OSX 10 my iMac randomly shuts down and restarts.  I can not determine why this is happening.  Any ideas ... more

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 20, 2013 3:28 PM in response to nickel_man_65
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 20, 2013 3:28 PM in response to nickel_man_65

    Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:

     

    ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)

     

    ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.

     

    ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.

     

    In the Console window, look under the heading DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION on the left for crash or panic reports. If you don't see that heading, select

    View â–¹ Show Log List

    from the menu bar.

    A crash report has a name that begins with the name of the crashed process and ends in ".crash". It may be under either of the two subcategories, "System" and "User." A panic report has a name that begins with "Kernel" and ends in ".panic".

    Select the most recent of each and post the entire contents — the text, please, not a screenshot. In the interest of privacy, I suggest that, before posting, you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if it’s present (it may not be.)

     

    Please don’t post any other kind of diagnostic report, such as a hang log — they're very long and not helpful.

  • by nickel_man_65,

    nickel_man_65 nickel_man_65 Dec 20, 2013 11:23 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 20, 2013 11:23 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Hi Linc,

     

    This the data from the items as suggested.

     

    What does it mean?

     

    Regards,

     

    12/20/2013 9:32:12.503 AM DumpPanic[49]: com.apple.message.domain: com.apple.crashreporter.writereport.panic

    com.apple.message.signature: Kernel

    com.apple.message.signature2: UNBUNDLED |||

    com.apple.message.signature3: UNKNOWN

    com.apple.message.result: noop

    com.apple.message.summarize: YES

     

     

    12/20/2013 9:33:05.522 AM ReportPanic[255]: com.apple.message.domain: com.apple.ReportPanic.matchedpanic

    com.apple.message.action: not matched and frequent

    com.apple.message.panic_id: not matched

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 21, 2013 7:41 AM in response to nickel_man_65
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 21, 2013 7:41 AM in response to nickel_man_65

    That's not a panic report. Please review the instructions and try again.

  • by nickel_man_65,

    nickel_man_65 nickel_man_65 Dec 26, 2013 7:26 AM in response to nickel_man_65
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2013 7:26 AM in response to nickel_man_65

    had another shutdown

     

    Is this the file you are looking for

     

    Thu Dec 26 05:22:56 2013

    panic(cpu 3 caller 0xffffff80136d08db): Releasing non-exclusive RW lock without a reader refcount!

    Backtrace (CPU 3), Frame : Return Address

    0xffffff8092403950 : 0xffffff8013622f69

    0xffffff80924039d0 : 0xffffff80136d08db

    0xffffff80924039f0 : 0xffffff7f95856dc7

    0xffffff8092403a30 : 0xffffff80139b3671

    0xffffff8092403a90 : 0xffffff80137df80d

    0xffffff8092403ae0 : 0xffffff80137f4360

    0xffffff8092403b80 : 0xffffff80137e5f15

    0xffffff8092403c30 : 0xffffff80137e67d2

    0xffffff8092403f50 : 0xffffff8013a3de23

    0xffffff8092403fb0 : 0xffffff80136f3e06

          Kernel Extensions in backtrace:

             com.sophos.kext.sav(8.0.14)[743208E4-CAF4-86E2-DDEE-5599749CF57A]@0xffffff7f958 54000->0xffffff7f95859fff

     

    BSD process name corresponding to current thread: mdworker

     

    Mac OS version:

    13B42

     

    Kernel version:

    Darwin Kernel Version 13.0.0: Thu Sep 19 22:22:27 PDT 2013; root:xnu-2422.1.72~6/RELEASE_X86_64

    Kernel UUID: 1D9369E3-D0A5-31B6-8D16-BFFBBB390393

    Kernel slide:     0x0000000013400000

    Kernel text base: 0xffffff8013600000

    System model name: iMac11,2 (Mac-F2238AC8)

     

    System uptime in nanoseconds: 38822972365745

    last loaded kext at 38808488460698: com.sophos.kext.sav    8.0.14 (addr 0xffffff7f95854000, size 24576)

    last unloaded kext at 38800776153660: com.sophos.kext.sav    8.0.14 (addr 0xffffff7f95854000, size 20480)

    loaded kexts:

    com.sophos.kext.sav    8.0.14

    com.apple.filesystems.afpfs    11.0

    com.apple.nke.asp-tcp    8.0.0

    com.apple.filesystems.smbfs    2.0.0

    com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC    1.60

    com.apple.driver.AGPM    100.14.11

    com.apple.filesystems.autofs    3.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch    80.14

    com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager    4.2.0f6

    com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor    1.9.5d0

    com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver    124

    com.apple.driver.AppleHDA    2.5.3fc1

    com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet    1.0.0d1

    com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X    7.0.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleHWAccess    1

    com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver    2.5.3fc1

    com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport    4.2.0f6

    com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient    3.5.13

    com.apple.kext.AMDFramebuffer    1.1.4

    com.apple.ATIRadeonX2000    8.1.8

    com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight    170.3.5

    com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl    1.1.12

    com.apple.driver.AppleLPC    1.7.0

    com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin    1.0.0

    com.apple.kext.AMD4600Controller    1.1.4

    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBCardReader    3.3.5

    com.apple.driver.AppleIRController    325.7

    com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient    3.6.0

    com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless    1.0.0d1

    com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib    1.0.0d1

    com.apple.BootCache    35

    com.apple.driver.XsanFilter    404

    com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage    2.4.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub    650.4.4

    com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI    4.9.9

    com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet    3.6.9b9

    com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort    2.9.5

    com.apple.driver.AirPort.Atheros40    700.74.5

    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI    650.4.1

    com.apple.driver.AppleRTC    2.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons    2.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleHPET    1.8

    com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS    2.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC    2.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC    1.7

    com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient    216.0.0

    com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall    153

    com.apple.security.quarantine    3

    com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement    216.0.0

    com.apple.security.SecureRemotePassword    1.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothHIDKeyboard    170.15

    com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard    170.15

    com.apple.kext.triggers    1.0

    com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver    4.2.0f6

    com.apple.driver.AppleMultitouchDriver    245.13

    com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily    10.0.7

    com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib    2.5.3fc1

    com.apple.vecLib.kext    1.0.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily    1.9.4fc11

    com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib    1.14

    com.apple.iokit.IOSurface    91

    com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily    4.2.0f6

    com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI    1.0.12d1

    com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport    4.2.0f6

    com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert    1.0.4

    com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport    2.3.6

    com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController    1.0.11d1

    com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP    2.2.5

    com.apple.driver.AppleSMC    3.1.6d1

    com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy    1.0.0

    com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily    5.5.1d27

    com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController    2.5.3fc1

    com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily    2.5.3fc1

    com.apple.kext.AMDSupport    1.1.4

    com.apple.AppleGraphicsDeviceControl    3.4.12

    com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily    2.3.6

    com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice    3.6.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass    3.6.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver    650.4.4

    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub    650.4.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite    650.4.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice    3.6.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily    1.7

    com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily    1.7.1

    com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily    1.7.1

    com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI    2.6.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily    3.6.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily    4.5.5

    com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController    1.0.3b3

    com.apple.driver.mDNSOffloadUserClient    1.0.1b4

    com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient    650.4.4

    com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily    2.6.0

    com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family    600.34

    com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily    3.2

    com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily    650.4.4

    com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM    2.0

    com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime    2.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily    2.0.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily    1.1

    com.apple.security.sandbox    278.10

    com.apple.kext.AppleMatch    1.0.0d1

    com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet    7

    com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore    2

    com.apple.driver.DiskImages    371.1

    com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily    1.9

    com.apple.iokit.IOReportFamily    21

    com.apple.driver.AppleFDEKeyStore    28.30

    com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform    2.0

    com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily    2.8

    com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily    1.4

    com.apple.kec.pthread    1

    com.apple.kec.corecrypto    1.0

    Model: iMac11,2, BootROM IM112.0057.B01, 2 processors, Intel Core i3, 3.06 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 1.64f5

    Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4670, ATI Radeon HD 4670, PCIe, 256 MB

    Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM1, 2 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313235533654465238432D48392020

    Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM1, 2 GB, DDR3, 1333 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313235533654465238432D48392020

    AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x168C, 0x8F), Atheros 9280: 4.0.74.0-P2P

    Bluetooth: Version 4.2.0f6 12982, 3 services, 23 devices, 1 incoming serial ports

    Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1

    Serial ATA Device: WDC WD5000AAKS-40V6A0, 500.11 GB

    Serial ATA Device: OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H

    USB Device: Hub

    USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub

    USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller

    USB Device: Internal Memory Card Reader

    USB Device: Hub

    USB Device: Built-in iSight

    USB Device: IR Receiver

    Thunderbolt Bus:

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 26, 2013 9:09 AM in response to nickel_man_65
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 26, 2013 9:09 AM in response to nickel_man_65

    Remove the Sophos product by following the instructions on this page. If you have a different version, the procedure may be different.

    Back up all data before making any changes.

  • by nickel_man_65,

    nickel_man_65 nickel_man_65 Dec 27, 2013 1:25 AM in response to nickel_man_65
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 27, 2013 1:25 AM in response to nickel_man_65

    Why would Sophos be causing a problem?

    Is my computer at risk without anti virus software? Seems like I'm exposing the computer to attack!

    What antivirus should I use it replace Sophos?

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Dec 27, 2013 7:36 AM in response to nickel_man_65
    Level 7 (30,944 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 27, 2013 7:36 AM in response to nickel_man_65

    The version of Sophos you have is outdated, and your profile indicates you have Mavericks. You have to keep software like this up-to-date, especially when you upgrade your system!

     

    As to anti-virus software and the need for it, see my Mac Malware Guide. You can probably do without any anti-virus software just fine.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Dec 27, 2013 9:02 AM in response to nickel_man_65
    Level 9 (50,424 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 27, 2013 9:02 AM in response to nickel_man_65

    Why would Sophos be causing a problem?

     

    Because it is no different than any other useless garbage that claims to convey benefits while providing only inconvenience and wasted time.

     

    Is my computer at risk without anti virus software?

     

    It would be, if Apple did not already include everything it requires to protect itself from viruses and malware.

     

    Risk cannot be avoided but threats can be mitigated to an acceptable level. Entrusting your Mac to some magic shield that will protect it and you from all threats is one significant risk you brought upon yourself. The product that can do that does not exist, and many that claim the ability to do so will only cause problems greater than the risk you seek to avoid.

     

    The vast majority of Mac problems reported on this site, including yours, are the direct result of using such junk. If you choose to do so, you own the consequences. It's your Mac, do what you want with it, but the responsibility for properly using and maintaining the software you choose to install is yours.

     

    What antivirus should I use it replace Sophos?

     

    Use what is already included in OS X. You already paid for it. Make it work for you. Read:

     

    OS X Mavericks: Protect your Mac

    OS X Mavericks: Protect your Mac from malware

    OS X Mavericks: Keep your information safe

    OS X About Gatekeeper

    About file quarantine in OS X

     

    Seems like I'm exposing the computer to attack!

     

    Your computer is constantly exposed to attack, as long as it connects to the world beyond its enclosure. So are all of mine, and so are millions of others. The most effective defense against attack is your own common sense. Read below.

     

    • Never install any product that claims to "speed up", "clean up", "optimize", or "accelerate" your Mac. Without exception, they will do the opposite.
    • Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources. Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
    • Don’t supply your password in response to a popup window requesting it, unless you know what it is and the reason your credentials are required.
    • Don’t open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize, or click links contained in an email:
      • Most of these are scams that direct you to fraudulent sites that attempt to convince you to disclose personal information.
      • Such "phishing" attempts are the 21st century equivalent of a social exploit that has existed since the dawn of civilization. Don’t fall for it.
      • Apple will never ask you to reveal personal information in an email. If you receive an unexpected email from Apple saying your account will be closed unless you take immediate action, just ignore it. If your iTunes or App Store account becomes disabled for valid reasons, you will know when you try to buy something or log in to this support site, and are unable to.
    • Don’t install browser extensions unless you understand their purpose. Go to the Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions. If you see any extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone.
    • Don’t install Java unless you are certain that you need it:
      • Java, a non-Apple product, is a potential vector for malware. If you are required to use Java, be mindful of that possibility.
      • Disable Java in Safari > Preferences > Security.
      • Despite its name JavaScript is unrelated to Java. No malware can infect your Mac through JavaScript. It’s OK to leave it enabled.
    • Block browser popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > and check "Block popup windows":
      • Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but popups have devolved to become a common means to deliver targeted advertising that you probably do not want.
      • Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
      • If you ever see a popup indicating it detected registry errors, that your Mac is infected with some ick, or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.
    • Ignore hyperventilating popular media outlets that thrive by promoting fear and discord with entertainment products arrogantly presented as "news". Learn what real threats actually exist and how to arm yourself against them:
      • The most serious threat to your data security is phishing. To date, most of these attempts have been pathetic and are easily recognized, but that is likely to change in the future as criminals become more clever.
      • OS X viruses do not exist, but intentionally malicious or poorly written code, created by either nefarious or inept individuals, is nothing new.
      • Never install something without first knowing what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to get rid of it when you don’t want it any more.
      • If you elect to use "anti-virus" software, familiarize yourself with its limitations and potential to cause adverse effects, and apply the principle immediately preceding this one.
      • Most such utilities will only slow down and destabilize your Mac while they look for viruses that do not exist, conveying no benefit whatsoever - other than to make you "feel good" about security, when you should actually be exercising sound judgment, derived from accurate knowledge, based on verifiable facts.
    • Do install updates from Apple as they become available. No one knows more about Macs and how to protect them than the company that builds them.

     

    Summary: Use common sense and caution when you use your Mac, just like you would in any social context. There is no product, utility, or magic talisman that can protect you from all the evils of mankind.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 27, 2013 8:54 AM in response to nickel_man_65
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 27, 2013 8:54 AM in response to nickel_man_65
    1. This is a comment on what you should and should not do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
      
    If you find this comment too long or too technical, read only sections 5, 6, and 10.
      
    OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.

    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:
    • It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
    • It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
    As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
      
    3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
       
    Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
    • It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
    • A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
    • An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
    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. Sandboxing 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 effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
     
    5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always going to be 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 always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know what is safe?
    • Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is unsafe.
    • A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
    • Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
    • Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
    • Software that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders" are outside the safe harbor, though not all are necessarily harmful.
    • Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe. For instance, if a web page warns you that Flash is out of date, do not follow an offered link to an update. Go to the Adobe website to download it, if you need it at all.
    • Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
    • "FREE WI-FI !!!" networks in public places are unsafe unless you can verify that the network is not a trap (which you probably can't.) Even then, do not download any software or transmit any private information while connected to such a network, regardless of where it seems to come from or go to.
    6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
      
    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.
       
    Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable itnot JavaScript — in your browsers.
       
    Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.

    Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.

    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.
      
    Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
    • Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
    • In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
    • To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. Most of the real danger comes from highly targeted "zero-day" attacks that are not yet recognized.
    • By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
    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.
        
    An anti-virus app is not needed, and should not be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware. Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
        
    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 trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use the software unless an institutional policy requires 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.
      
    9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
        
    10. As a Mac user you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither should you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.