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Going to buy a MBP, do I need a virus scanner?

U

Ulf1103

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Hy, I'm going to buy my first MBP (the current 17" model, or the next, don't know it yet if I'm going to wait for it 🙁).
(Also buying the Apple warranty)
Anyway, since it's my first, I don't know if I need a virus scanner for OSX.
I'm gonna use windows on it as well, I can use Kaspersky Internet security for it (for free, we have 2 pc's at home, so we buy a 3-pack 😛).

I've heard you don't need a virus scanner for OSX, is this true? Or do you recommend me one to buy?
If I use windows on it, and a virus destroys windows or so, will I stil be able to use OSX?
Is there a difference when you get a virus running windows tru bootcamp or tru parallel desktops?
 
so, don't buy a virus scanner for your Mac...

But it's probably best for the windows part wright?
 
I have Mackeeper on mine and would say it was worth it. It cleans and various other things too. Yes theres not many virus's out there but, Mackeeper did find 1 a couple of days ago!!
 
Beyondthought said:
I have Mackeeper on mine and would say it was worth it. It cleans and various other things too. Yes theres not many virus's out there but, Mackeeper did find 1 a couple of days ago!!
Click to expand...
If it found one, it was a Windows virus that can't possibly harm your Mac in any way. You don't need apps like Mackeeper.

No viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any, since it was released 10 years ago. The handful of trojans that exist can be easily avoided with some basic education, common sense and care in what software you install:
 
GGJstudios said:
If it found one, it was a Windows virus that can't possibly harm your Mac in any way. You don't need apps like Mackeeper.

No viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any, since it was released 10 years ago. The handful of trojans that exist can be easily avoided with some basic education, common sense and care in what software you install:
Click to expand...

wow, thanxs.

But, if I understand correctly, and I download software from torrents, I can get ending up destroying my Mac wright?
 
Ulf1103 said:
wow, thanxs.

But, if I understand correctly, and I download software from torrents, I can get ending up destroying my Mac wright?
Click to expand...


Nothing that will "destroy" your Mac, only give you a small headache until you clean it off.

Stop pirating software and you won't have that problem.
 
wpotere said:
Nothing that will "destroy" your Mac, only give you a small headache until you clean it off.

Stop pirating software and you won't have that problem.
Click to expand...

Hey, it ain't illegal to download (only the upload is illegal) software/music/movies if you, and you alone use it. If you download some music and only you listen to it, it's legal. But from the moment you give the downloaded content to someone else, it's illegal.

(That's how it was the last time I checked what you could and couldn't do 😛)
 
Ulf1103 said:
Hey, it ain't illegal to download (only the upload is illegal) software/music/movies if you, and you alone use it.
Click to expand...
Actually, that's not true, but it also is irrelevant to the thread topic. If you download and install pirated software, you could be installing a trojan. It's simply not a wise thing to do, legal or not.
 
Ulf1103 said:
Hey, it ain't illegal to download (only the upload is illegal) software/music/movies if you, and you alone use it. If you download some music and only you listen to it, it's legal. But from the moment you give the downloaded content to someone else, it's illegal.

(That's how it was the last time I checked what you could and couldn't do 😛)
Click to expand...

Depending on what you are downloading, yes, it can be illegal and you take a great risk of getting a trojan. Lots of folks have been sued for simply downloading.....

My advice is to avoid torrents, they are nothing but trouble. If you can't afford it find a different solution other than stealing.
 
GGJstudios said:
Actually, that's not true, but it also is irrelevant to the thread topic. If you download and install pirated software, you could be installing a trojan. It's simply not a wise thing to do, legal or not.
Click to expand...

I've searched a bit on the internet and found out that you're right.
I was wrong telling that downloading software and games is legal.
In most countries you only may download music and movies (not upload), software and games is always illegal.

(Yes I know it's off topic)

But anyway.
If you only download stuff from the Mac App store and browse the web.
There's no way you can get viruses etc. So there's no real need for a virus scanner.

Thanks, I saved some money 🙂
 
I don't use a virus scanner on either of my Macs. However since you're going to run Windows on your MBP I'd recommend a virus scanner for the Windows partition.
 
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