just8keylimepie

Q: What does anyone know about Sophos antivirus?

I Had a tech guy install it on my computer and my Mac desktop was so slow and I uninstalled it and was wondering about it

Imac 24 inch on maverick osx 10.94

Posted on Jul 30, 2014 8:39 PM

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Q: What does anyone know about Sophos antivirus?

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  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Jul 30, 2014 9:20 PM in response to just8keylimepie
    Level 9 (50,401 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 30, 2014 9:20 PM in response to just8keylimepie

    Like all anti-virus, it is crapware you don't need.

    See http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg/  for info on Mac malware and AV software.

  • by MichelPM,Helpful

    MichelPM MichelPM Jul 30, 2014 9:28 PM in response to just8keylimepie
    Level 6 (13,952 points)
    iPad
    Jul 30, 2014 9:28 PM in response to just8keylimepie

    Completely uninstall Sophos Antivirus.

    Commercial Antvirus solutions can negatively impact OS X performance and can cause other operational issues with OS X.

     

    http://www.sophos.com/en-us/support/knowledgebase/119182.aspx


    Here my tidbit of advice on how to avoid viruses in the future, if you encounter a virus, again.

    Some anti-virus solutions can slow down your Mac, but to be honest, the best anit-virus app is you, the user and your brain.


    Don't visit questionable websites or website you are unsure about.

    Don't use Torrents or engage in "Torrenting"

    Don't install pirated software or software downloaded from a questionable or unknown websites or untrutsted sources.

    Java is still a vulnerability concern,  if you do not need it, don't use it.

    Use a browser filter and pop-up blocker

    Don't open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize.

    Install security updates when they become available

    Educate yourself as to what threats are common and active.

    In effect, use your own brain as the antivirus filter.

    Follow that advise and in MOST cases, you will be fine and won't risk your Mac to potential Trojans, malware or viruses.


    If you feel you need some baseline virus protection that is minimally invasive on the Mac OS X system, install

     

    ClamXAV

     

    http://www.clamxav.com/

  • by notcloudy,

    notcloudy notcloudy Jul 30, 2014 9:48 PM in response to MichelPM
    Level 4 (1,195 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 30, 2014 9:48 PM in response to MichelPM

    I use INTEGO and have not had a problem with performance - of course, I also block pop ups and sometimes delete email from people I don't know without opening them.  

     

    As Apple has dropped support for security updates to Snow Leopard - and dropped sale of operating system on media for those of us who do not have ultra high speed internet connection - one does what one has to do.

  • by MichelPM,

    MichelPM MichelPM Jul 30, 2014 11:19 PM in response to notcloudy
    Level 6 (13,952 points)
    iPad
    Jul 30, 2014 11:19 PM in response to notcloudy

    Intego, as well as Symantec Norton antivirus are two of the worst commercial antivirus packages you can have installed on your Mac.

    Plus, even on OS X Snow Leopard, antivirus is really NOT necessary.

    Your Mac is better off without it.

    I am still running. OS X Snow Leopard and am only using ClamXAV.

    Plus, I have stepped up one more level of Firewall protection on my modem/router.

    Just in case.

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Jul 30, 2014 11:51 PM in response to notcloudy
    Level 5 (4,791 points)
    Jul 30, 2014 11:51 PM in response to notcloudy

    notcloudy wrote:

     

    As Apple has dropped support for security updates to Snow Leopard

    It's true they are no longer appear to be distributing Security Update patches to the operating system, but they continue to provide you with an up-to-date XProtect database which should prevent the installation of all commonly found malware as well as prevent you from using unsafe Internet Flash Player and Java plug-ins.

  • by Esquared,

    Esquared Esquared Jul 31, 2014 12:32 AM in response to just8keylimepie
    Level 6 (8,508 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 31, 2014 12:32 AM in response to just8keylimepie