Antivirus Questions

[tightwad1027]

I know this maybe a crazy question, but I'm curious as to what everyone think.

I currently have Kaspersky for Parallel installed on my Mac, I was wondering if it will cause problem if I install Intego Internet Security Barrier X6 so I can protect the Mac OS since it appeared Intego is a much better product. Is it better to use Intego to protect both the Mac and Windows environment instead of having Intego on one and Kaspersky on another OS?

Any insight into this will be greatly appreciated.

[old-wiz]

You do not need any antivirus apps for OSx. The available ones can even make your system less secure and they slow down the system and find nothing since there are no OSx viruses. Antivirus is fine for Windows under virtualization.

[Penn Jennings]

As has been stated, OS X doesn't usually required AV if you are reasonable safe. If you are sharing Mac files, or worse yet, filesystems with windows you could experience data corruption in Mac files if you get malware on the a Windows partition/VM with Mac OS X access. Thats not likely but possible.

[GGJstudios]

Originally Posted by tightwad1027

I know this maybe a crazy question, but I'm curious as to what everyone think.

I currently have Kaspersky for Parallel installed on my Mac, I was wondering if it will cause problem if I install Intego Internet Security Barrier X6 so I can protect the Mac OS since it appeared Intego is a much better product. Is it better to use Intego to protect both the Mac and Windows environment instead of having Intego on one and Kaspersky on another OS?

Any insight into this will be greatly appreciated.

No Windows malware can run on Mac OS X. You don't need 3rd party antivirus software to protect your Mac, as long as you practice safe computing. Macs are not immune to malware, but no true viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any since it was released over 10 years ago. The only malware in the wild that can affect Mac OS X is a handful of trojans, which can be easily avoided by practicing safe computing (see below). Also, Mac OS X 10.6 and later versions have anti-malware protection built in, further reducing the need for 3rd party antivirus apps.

Mac Virus/Malware FAQ

1. Make sure your built-in Mac firewall is enabled in System Preferences > Security > Firewall
   
   
2. Uncheck "Open "safe" files after downloading" in Safari > Preferences > General
   
   
3. Disable Java in your browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox). This will protect you from malware that exploits Java in your browser, including the recent Flashback trojan. Leave Java disabled until you visit a trusted site that requires it, then re-enable only for the duration of your visit to that site. (This is not to be confused with JavaScript, which you should leave enabled.)
   
   
4. Change your DNS servers to OpenDNS servers by reading this.
   
   
5. Be careful to only install software from trusted, reputable sites. Never install pirated software. If you're not sure about an app, ask in this forum before installing.
   
   
6. If you're running Mountain Lion, check your Gatekeeper settings in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General > Allow applications downloaded from. For more information on these settings: OS X: About Gatekeeper
   
   
7. Never let someone else have access to install anything on your Mac.
   
   
8. Don't open files that you receive from unknown or untrusted sources.
   
   
9. For added security, make sure all network, email, financial and other important passwords are long and complex, including upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
   
   
10. Always keep your Mac and application software updated. Use Software Update for your Mac software. For other software, it's safer to get updates from the developer's site or from the menu item "Check for updates", rather than installing from any notification window that pops up while you're surfing the web.

That's all you need to do to keep your Mac completely free of any Mac OS X malware that has ever been released into the wild. While you may elect to use it, 3rd party antivirus software is not required to keep your Mac malware-free.

[tightwad1027]

Originally Posted by GGJstudios

No Windows malware can run on Mac OS X. You don't need 3rd party antivirus software to protect your Mac, as long as you practice safe computing. Macs are not immune to malware, but no true viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any since it was released over 10 years ago. The only malware in the wild that can affect Mac OS X is a handful of trojans, which can be easily avoided by practicing safe computing (see below). Also, Mac OS X 10.6 and later versions have anti-malware protection built in, further reducing the need for 3rd party antivirus apps.

Mac Virus/Malware FAQ

1. Make sure your built-in Mac firewall is enabled in System Preferences > Security > Firewall
   
   
2. Uncheck "Open "safe" files after downloading" in Safari > Preferences > General
   
   
3. Disable Java in your browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox). This will protect you from malware that exploits Java in your browser, including the recent Flashback trojan. Leave Java disabled until you visit a trusted site that requires it, then re-enable only for the duration of your visit to that site. (This is not to be confused with JavaScript, which you should leave enabled.)
   
   
4. Change your DNS servers to OpenDNS servers by reading this.
   
   
5. Be careful to only install software from trusted, reputable sites. Never install pirated software. If you're not sure about an app, ask in this forum before installing.
   
   
6. If you're running Mountain Lion, check your Gatekeeper settings in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General > Allow applications downloaded from. For more information on these settings: OS X: About Gatekeeper
   
   
7. Never let someone else have access to install anything on your Mac.
   
   
8. Don't open files that you receive from unknown or untrusted sources.
   
   
9. For added security, make sure all network, email, financial and other important passwords are long and complex, including upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
   
   
10. Always keep your Mac and application software updated. Use Software Update for your Mac software. For other software, it's safer to get updates from the developer's site or from the menu item "Check for updates", rather than installing from any notification window that pops up while you're surfing the web.

That's all you need to do to keep your Mac completely free of any Mac OS X malware that has ever been released into the wild. While you may elect to use it, 3rd party antivirus software is not required to keep your Mac malware-free.

GGJstudios, thank you so much for your advice, this is extremely helpful. I do have one question about changing my DNS server to the OpenDNS server. Since I connect my Mac to my wireless router at home, I assumed the change will be made in the router since I point my DNS to my wireless router. Also, where exactly do I disable Java in Chrome and Safari, not really familiar with Java and don't want to disable the wrong thing. Thanks.

[GGJstudios]

Originally Posted by tightwad1027

GGJstudios, thank you so much for your advice, this is extremely helpful. I do have one question about changing my DNS server to the OpenDNS server. Since I connect my Mac to my wireless router at home, I assumed the change will be made in the router since I point my DNS to my wireless router.

You should use OpenDNS servers in both your computer(s) and your router.

Originally Posted by tightwad1027

Also, where exactly do I disable Java in Chrome and Safari, not really familiar with Java and don't want to disable the wrong thing. Thanks.

The links I posted in item #3 give detailed instructions on how to disable Java in various browsers.

[tightwad1027]

Originally Posted by GGJstudios

You should use OpenDNS servers in both your computer(s) and your router.
The links I posted in item #3 give detailed instructions on how to disable Java in various browsers.

Didn't realized there are links to the post, thought it was advertisements. Thanks again for your help.

[AndyMoore]

Good advice from GGJstudios.

However, there are some people that just can't be connected to the net bareback (without AV), especially those who are recently coming from a Windows environment.

It took me a while to get used to life without AV but if you just have to have something to make you feel better then run along and grab ClamXav. It's free (donation ware), can be run passively or actively and is very resource friendly.

[interbear]

The advice from GGJstudios is very compelling. I do apply "safe computing" practices when using my new iMac. A large dollop of common sense really.

However, my household has a mix of Windows laptops and the iMac. I need AV for the Windows devices. And I can't guarantee that when I'm out that another family member won't do something that may pose a risk, unintentionally, to either environment. Kids do that, even though I have educated them on the same "safe computing" practices.

So I installed Kaspersky One on everything and, to be honest, it seems to work well. I've noticed no impact on performance on my iMac or Windows laptops as a result of installing it.

If I was in a Mac only household, with no other users, I would just follow the advice from GGJstudios. But I'm not so I'm fine with paying that little bit more to get an additional layer of security, using a consistent interface, across the Windows and Mac. And I accept that that's all it is, am additional layer of security, not a guarantee.

[guklein]

How do I know if my Mac is infected for malware?

Other question, yesterday I installed Windows XP on Parallels. Is it recommended to install a antivirus? Any suggestion?

Thanks!

[GGJstudios]

Originally Posted by guklein

How do I know if my Mac is infected for malware?

Other question, yesterday I installed Windows XP on Parallels. Is it recommended to install a antivirus? Any suggestion?

You'll likely want antivirus on your Windows installation, but you don't need it for Mac OS X, as long as you practice safe computing (see post #4).

If you still want to scan your Mac, ClamXav (which is free) is one of the best choices, since it isn't a resource hog, detects both Mac and Windows malware and doesn't run with elevated privileges.

[guklein]

Originally Posted by GGJstudios

You'll likely want antivirus on your Windows installation, but you don't need it for Mac OS X, as long as you practice safe computing (see post #4).

If you still want to scan your Mac, ClamXav (which is free) is one of the best choices, since it isn't a resource hog, detects both Mac and Windows malware and doesn't run with elevated privileges.

I will scan my Mac with ClamXavand after follow post #4.

Any suggestion (good and cheap) for antivirus on my windows xp (virtual machine)?

Thanks!

[shiekh]

I run Sophos on my Macs, as it is not just a matter of me; I'd prefer not to pass Window's viruses on the colleagues.

[GGJstudios]

Originally Posted by shiekh

I run Sophos on my Macs, as it is not just a matter of me; I'd prefer not to pass Window's viruses on the colleagues.

I recommend that you avoid using Sophos, as it could actually increase your Mac's vulnerability, as described here and here.

You may also want to read What about sending files to Windows users? from the Mac Virus/Malware FAQ

[guklein]

Originally Posted by GGJstudios

You'll likely want antivirus on your Windows installation, but you don't need it for Mac OS X, as long as you practice safe computing (see post #4).

If you still want to scan your Mac, ClamXav (which is free) is one of the best choices, since it isn't a resource hog, detects both Mac and Windows malware and doesn't run with elevated privileges.

Do you use ClamXav? What options do you advice to turn on (preferences)?

Thanks!

[GGJstudios]

Originally Posted by guklein

Do you use ClamXav? What options do you advice to turn on (preferences)?

No, I don't use any antivirus app, as none are needed to protect my Mac from malware.

ClamXav has a Sentry feature which, if enabled, will use significant system resources to constantly scan. Disable the Sentry feature. You don't need it. Also, when you first install ClamXav, as with many antivirus apps, it may perform an initial full system scan, which will consume resources. Once the initial scan is complete, periodic on-demand scans will have much lower demands on resources.