New to iMac, I wonder if it is recommended to install internet security software, as I have always done on PCs?
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)
No. It is strongly recommended that you do not install any software which claims it will make you Mac faster, safer, clean it or any other such "supposed" services. They are all scams designed to make their developers richer and cause problems on your Mac.
I use Dr Safety from the Mac App store
I used to use Avira (it's free too) but it's not on the Mac App store
I have a mid-2010 Mac Mini with a 27" Apple Display (thru the mini display port).
It is the cheapest of the Mac Mini's at that time but I put in a 1TB SSD (Munchkin Brand) and up'ed the memory to 8GB
It performs fast with only 2 processors
So I am sure yours would perform like it is not even there.
There are other programs out there that help to stop you form getting a ransom ware (but only if your downloading Torrents), there are programs out there that actually are good but some are, like the last guy said, scams.
My suggestions are to only use something from the Mac App store
Keep your Updates to Automatic for System and Security update download/installs
System Settings>Security & Privacy> Allow Apps downloaded from Mac App Store and identified Developers ONLY
Download and install Dr Safety from the App store
Use Time Machine
Apple's are less prone to Viruses/Malware BUT they still get them. I don't care what anyone from Apple says.
Better safe than sorry
We had one one time on my wife's old 20" iMac back using 10.6.8 OS X
The only thing that was good was the Time Machine backups from weeks earlier were not infected and I was running ClamX at the time to find out she had one on her computer, from a file (.zip) from someone else.
Always Trust but verify.....
No. There is no know virus for Macs and the current anti-virus apps are not designed to protect again malware or adware. There is no need to install any anti-virus software on a Mac.
Also never run any so called "cleaning" or "optimizing" apps. The are known to do more damage to systems and photo libraries than good.
Thanks for a reasoned reply. As I discover what pleases and does not please in the macosphere I may well be back! Thanks again.
Do not install or use any app that claims to clean, protect, boost performance, manage, etc. your Mac.
Follow Philmiamflorida's suggestions at the peril of your Mac.
Alisnocturnis wrote:
... I may well be back!
I strongly suspect you will.
I am afraid you are correct on that one, John.
Not everyone spends hour after hour programming on their Mac
I use those on my stuff
you may never visit a website that I may visit
to each their own
I would NEVER put something on my mac that "says" it will "optimize" or any of that
They may tell you not to use a anti-virus/malware/anti-ransom ware or some-waremaggedon and you do so of free will.
I chose to use something on my stuff.
It's like do you chose to walk on the right side of the street or the left side of the street?
It's your own choice
I just tend to err more on being cautious and use a program on my stuff.
But of course I occasionally download a torrent, and that part of the internet is not a PBS kids part of the internet.
Is it recommended to install anti virus on my new iMac?
