iAntivirus for OSX: How to update it?

NewbMacUser wrote:

Thanks for the replies everyone, but I just want to know if ClamXAV is the best anti-virus on the Mac App Store.

Yes, it is. It is maintained by a developer who is devoted to the Mac, and it currently detects all known Mac malware. It also is based on an open-source engine that detects Windows malware as well.

There's really no need for this on the Mac, since all known Mac malware is already blocked by the anti-malware features of Mac OS X. However, for people who need something to scan files received from Windows users for malware before forwarding those files on to other people, this is the best choice hands-down.

Delete it! Uninstall it! Remove it! Turn on the Firevault in System Preferences and forget about Antivirus on a Mac. Norton and other Antivirus software broke programs in Windows. You will find that antivirus will essentially break your OS X and Apps. Now you are asking for another "fix" after installing another antivirus program. Your hardware passwords and passphrases with Firevault Turned on is your best option and best bet. You've been Clam Baked! Cheers!

NewbMacUser wrote:

ClamXAV won't let me do a scan because it keeps trying to update itself

For questions such as these, please come to the ClamXav Forum.

jndupuis1 wrote:

Turn on the Firevault in System Preferences and forget about Antivirus on a Mac.

Although "FileVault" is a great idea for other reasons, it won't do anything to prevent malware, unless you allow others physical access to the computer itself so they can install it. But, as others have said several times, OS X does a reasonable job of protecting against all commonly found malware that is known to exist today.

jndupuis1 wrote:

Turn on the Firevault in System Preferences

FileVault does nothing to protect against malware, as MadMacs0 pointed out. Neither does the firewall. Not sure which of these you meant to refer to with the term "Firevault." Neither do hardware passwords. There are some very good features of Mac OS X that protect you against malware, but those are not them.

You will find that antivirus will essentially break your OS X and Apps.

Yes, that's generally true. But it's absolutely NOT true in the case of ClamXav, which does not install the kind of low-level hacks that most other anti-virus software does.

Before you give advice like this, please be sure of its accuracy.

NewbMacUser wrote:

I've deleted ClamXAV twice now and re-installed it from the Mac App Store, but I keep getting this error: when it tries to update it says "error num 52."

That's a Connection (network) problem.

What can I do?

I already answered that. Go to the ClamXav Forum and when you get there, search for Error 52 and if you can't find the answer post the contents of your Scan Log.

Advice well recieved. I, personally, do not use AV on my Mac. I should be more informed. My apology. Thank you.

NewbMacUser wrote:

Thanks!

I keep trying to sign up, but I've got no idea how to answer the spam bot question:

What is the sixth word on the ClamXav homepage?:

My guess would be, "scanner," but it's hard to really tell what they expect as there are words in the menus, header, etc.

NewbMacUser wrote:

Yea, it's really annoying. I don't know what else I can put into the anti-spam filter...

So you are saying "scanner" didn't work? That would certainly have been my guess. And the Pakistani spammers don't seem to have any problem registering.

Also note that you don't have to be registered in order to read the forum, just to post, so you can find several answers to Error 52 already posted.