Should I load free antivirus software?

taxdad · 03:04 PM

My employer offers free Norton antivirus software for Mac or PC to all its employees for use on the employees' home computers.

Question: Should I load the software on my new 2009 iMac, or pass on it?

Free is great, but would it do more harm than good, such as slowing down my computer?

FWIW, at the Apple store several employees told me neither they nor the store manager uses antivirus software on their personal macs.

MacDawg · Apr 28, 2009, 09:08 PM

My recommendation = no AV for your Mac

My strong recommendation = avoid Norton for the Mac totally

That is all

Woof, Woof - Dawg

iLog.Genius · Apr 28, 2009, 09:10 PM

No because...

1. It's Norton (I don't care what anyone says, Norton is s---, many bad Windows experiences...)
2. It's a Mac. No real threats to Mac's.

It wouldn't hurt but at the same time it wouldn't do anything. The only benefit you might have is if you're communicating with many through e-mail and you find a virus - you can clean it and prevent it from affecting others (but that's a stretch and most likely used by a rep to sell)

Also, if you're using Time Machine, anti-virus software is known to affect Time Machine backups.

Dmac77 · Apr 28, 2009, 09:11 PM

No you don't need antivirus on your Mac. Stay away from questionable sites, and don't install anything that seems fishy to you, and you'll be fine. Also stay away from torrents.

Don

old-wiz · Apr 28, 2009, 10:10 PM

norton antivirus is horrible. It slows down the computer, is difficult to remove, and solves nothing.

trevpimp · Apr 28, 2009, 10:55 PM

Oh God..............

Norton? Well, I had it for 3 years, Never found not one virus. For some reason it never found any viruses. One day my computer had a big time virus. So I called up this company called BluePhone (I really recommend you look into these people, the BEST people you can ask for computers) [$199/year]

They installed some free softwares and it took away lots of viruses that my comp had but Norton couldnt find.

Install AV = Not at this time, but dont worry there will be a time where we would need it.

Dont get Norton. I know it looks professional and all but really its not.

Dmac77 · Apr 28, 2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trevpimp

Oh God..............

Norton? Well, I had it for 3 years, Never found not one virus. For some reason it never found any viruses. One day my computer had a big time virus. So I called up this company called BluePhone (I really recommend you look into these people, the BEST people you can ask for computers) [$199/year]

They installed some free softwares and it took away lots of viruses that my comp had but Norton couldnt find.

Install AV = Not at this time, but dont worry there will be a time where we would need it.

Dont get Norton. I know it looks professional and all but really its not.

Please tell me your kidding me. Are you seriously suggesting that a company found viruses on your Mac when there are no viruses for Macs. Only trojans exist for macs, and you only get those by installing pirated software. You got screwed by this company.

Don

ceezy3000 · Apr 28, 2009, 10:59 PM

well i am assuming that since u are in a workplace where they offer it u will be working with windows computers. if u were not working with them i would say absolutely not, there are no viruses for os x, but since u are working with windows computers(im assuming) u should run antivirus software, not norton tho, norton sux rhino copulatory organs. i suggest clamxav just to scan what u will be sending to ur workers or ppl that use windows. its free as well

trevpimp · Apr 28, 2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmac77

Please tell me your kidding me. Are you seriously suggesting that a company found viruses on your Mac when there are no viruses for Macs. Only trojans exist for macs, and you only get those by installing pirated software. You got screwed by this company.

Don

Oh my badd,

I was using Windows

Hahaha I think I just made lots of Mac uses angry

And btw, BluePhone is totally legit dude. They know everything. They even put it that they can do anything you need thats why its like 200 dollars a year.

And the virus that I got was a new one.

MorzillA · Apr 28, 2009, 11:11 PM

I just got ProtectMac AV for mostly checking my flash drives rather than my Mini, I use Avast for my other computers at home. And what's wrong with torrents? don't you know that 'that' is the way of the future, yeah you might laugh/bit__ now but look at what it has become especially in today's economy where $7-$10 can get you a hot meal instead of a horrid movie night!!!

taxdad · May 2, 2009, 03:03 PM

My employer's free AV software is Semantec. Is that the same as Norton or are they different?

aaquib · May 2, 2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taxdad

My employer's free AV software is Semantec. Is that the same as Norton or are they different?

Symantic = Norton.

Bottom line: You don't need antivirus!

MikhailT · May 2, 2009, 04:03 PM

You don't need a antivirus running on your MAC all the time.

If you do a lot of file sharing between Windows users, it is more likely better for them that you scan those specific files before sending it to them but you don't need to and don't have to. They should be the one doing this. It is better to do this in order to practice herd immunity. If one mac user disinfect the files before sending those files to the company, it would save the entire company from the infection, but if we ignore to do so and we send those files, it would bring in headaches to the company's IT.

shivermetimbers · May 2, 2009, 04:10 PM

I am still relatively new to mac's. I bought my G5 iMac in 07. I have had zero problems with viruses or the like. I have zero spyware or antivirus software. As long as you dont plan on downloading a torrented version of iLife 09 you should be fine.

Apr 28, 2009, 09:06 PM	#1
taxdad macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2009	Should I load free antivirus software? My employer offers free Norton antivirus software for Mac or PC to all its employees for use on the employees' home computers. Question: Should I load the software on my new 2009 iMac, or pass on it? Free is great, but would it do more harm than good, such as slowing down my computer? FWIW, at the Apple store several employees told me neither they nor the store manager uses antivirus software on their personal macs. Last edited by taxdad; May 2, 2009 at 03:04 PM.
	0

Apr 28, 2009, 09:10 PM	#3
iLog.Genius macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario	No because... 1. It's Norton (I don't care what anyone says, Norton is s---, many bad Windows experiences...) 2. It's a Mac. No real threats to Mac's. It wouldn't hurt but at the same time it wouldn't do anything. The only benefit you might have is if you're communicating with many through e-mail and you find a virus - you can clean it and prevent it from affecting others (but that's a stretch and most likely used by a rep to sell) Also, if you're using Time Machine, anti-virus software is known to affect Time Machine backups. __________________ 15.4" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, WD Scorpio Blue 500GB HDD, GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT iPad with Retina Display
	0

Apr 28, 2009, 09:11 PM	#4
Dmac77 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Michigan	No you don't need antivirus on your Mac. Stay away from questionable sites, and don't install anything that seems fishy to you, and you'll be fine. Also stay away from torrents. Don __________________ The Electronic Frontier Foundation
	0

Apr 28, 2009, 11:11 PM	#10
MorzillA macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami	I just got ProtectMac AV for mostly checking my flash drives rather than my Mini, I use Avast for my other computers at home. And what's wrong with torrents? don't you know that 'that' is the way of the future, yeah you might laugh/bit__ now but look at what it has become especially in today's economy where $7-$10 can get you a hot meal instead of a horrid movie night!!! __________________ Despite all my wisdom I am still a Mac NooB -PM G4, 400 MHz, 128 MB SDRAM, 10 GB HD- -Mac mini, Intel Core 2 Duo, 667 MHz, 1.83 GHz, 74 GB HD-
	0

May 2, 2009, 04:10 PM	#14
shivermetimbers macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: McChord, Wash	I am still relatively new to mac's. I bought my G5 iMac in 07. I have had zero problems with viruses or the like. I have zero spyware or antivirus software. As long as you dont plan on downloading a torrented version of iLife 09 you should be fine. __________________ 17" uMBP, 2.93G, 4G RAM, 320G HDD iPods 8G Nano & 120G Classic Gen2 iPhone and 16G 3GS Alum 24" iMac, 1TB HDD, ATI4850, 4G
	0

Apr 28, 2009, 09:08 PM	#2
MacDawg Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: "Between the Hedges"	My recommendation = no AV for your Mac My strong recommendation = avoid Norton for the Mac totally That is all Woof, Woof - Dawg
	0

Apr 28, 2009, 10:10 PM	#5
old-wiz macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Suburban Boston Ma	norton antivirus is horrible. It slows down the computer, is difficult to remove, and solves nothing.
	0

Apr 28, 2009, 10:55 PM	#6
trevpimp macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Inside A Mac Box	Oh God.............. Norton? Well, I had it for 3 years, Never found not one virus. For some reason it never found any viruses. One day my computer had a big time virus. So I called up this company called BluePhone (I really recommend you look into these people, the BEST people you can ask for computers) [$199/year] They installed some free softwares and it took away lots of viruses that my comp had but Norton couldnt find. Install AV = Not at this time, but dont worry there will be a time where we would need it. Dont get Norton. I know it looks professional and all but really its not.
	0

Apr 28, 2009, 10:59 PM	#8
ceezy3000 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Valley!!	well i am assuming that since u are in a workplace where they offer it u will be working with windows computers. if u were not working with them i would say absolutely not, there are no viruses for os x, but since u are working with windows computers(im assuming) u should run antivirus software, not norton tho, norton sux rhino copulatory organs. i suggest clamxav just to scan what u will be sending to ur workers or ppl that use windows. its free as well
	0

May 2, 2009, 03:03 PM	#11
taxdad Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2009	My employer's free AV software is Semantec. Is that the same as Norton or are they different?
	0

May 2, 2009, 04:03 PM	#13
MikhailT macrumors 68030 Join Date: Nov 2007	You don't need a antivirus running on your MAC all the time. If you do a lot of file sharing between Windows users, it is more likely better for them that you scan those specific files before sending it to them but you don't need to and don't have to. They should be the one doing this. It is better to do this in order to practice herd immunity. If one mac user disinfect the files before sending those files to the company, it would save the entire company from the infection, but if we ignore to do so and we send those files, it would bring in headaches to the company's IT.
	0

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