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Anti-virius needed or no?
- Thread starter brentg33
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Outside of AppZapper, you might look at CleanApp or AppDelete.
As for anti-virus software, there aren't currently very many (any?) viruses "in the wild" for OS X, but if you're truly worried about it, it won't hurt anything to run it.
I practice safe browsing habits and don't run any AV software currently and I feel perfectly safe. When/If viruses start appearing for OS X, I will probably install ClamXAV as my AV of choice.
Agree with topgunn...Never had a problem of a virus since I have had my MBP for close to a year and I would rather have my processor occupied with more important things.....
Bill.....
ClamXav is a great application, I don't know why people are so hesitant to install it. It doesn't run in the background or anything... It only runs when you want it to run.
If you want to be on the safe side, I'd install it. I always run any download programs through it.
If you want to be on the safe side, I'd install it. I always run any download programs through it.
-brentg33
Agreed with the others. There are about zero virii that your machine can get. While that could always change in the future, right now, antivirus software fore a Mac is a waste of time, money HDD space and CPU cycles.
One little tip however: It is possible that you machine can receive virii that are intended for windows. Don't panic, they'll just sit on your desktop doing nothing. The risk is infinitesimally small, but it is possible to transmit that virus to others, so trashe 'em when you see 'em.
Agreed with the others. There are about zero virii that your machine can get. While that could always change in the future, right now, antivirus software fore a Mac is a waste of time, money HDD space and CPU cycles.
One little tip however: It is possible that you machine can receive virii that are intended for windows. Don't panic, they'll just sit on your desktop doing nothing. The risk is infinitesimally small, but it is possible to transmit that virus to others, so trashe 'em when you see 'em.
If a virus was let out that did mass damage quickly, NO AV would protect you i dont even think the current AV for OSX does checks like the windows ones where they look for applications that are doing odd things.
I would in all serious not bother with any AV, there is NO point at ALL, even if your on a windows network i would leave it upto them to run a virus scanner for their viruses
I would in all serious not bother with any AV, there is NO point at ALL, even if your on a windows network i would leave it upto them to run a virus scanner for their viruses
-brentg33
Try to remember this: OS X is based on a Unix variant e.g. designed to be on all the time, debugged ad-nauseum, and secure as priority #3 (the former are #1, and #2).
Windows, even Vista, is built upon a codebase (yes, it's diminishing with every version, but it's still there) that had no concept of the Internet. So security, despite recent attention, is still a fundamental issue. It's not arrogance per, se, it's just that was the thinking at the time, and they've just moved the code forward.
That being said, spyware, virii, trojans, worms, et. al. are just not as easy to write to any kind or effectiveness for OS X. Sure, nothing is invulnerable, just tougher than others.
So you really, honestly, don't have to worry about it right now.
Try to remember this: OS X is based on a Unix variant e.g. designed to be on all the time, debugged ad-nauseum, and secure as priority #3 (the former are #1, and #2).
Windows, even Vista, is built upon a codebase (yes, it's diminishing with every version, but it's still there) that had no concept of the Internet. So security, despite recent attention, is still a fundamental issue. It's not arrogance per, se, it's just that was the thinking at the time, and they've just moved the code forward.
That being said, spyware, virii, trojans, worms, et. al. are just not as easy to write to any kind or effectiveness for OS X. Sure, nothing is invulnerable, just tougher than others.
So you really, honestly, don't have to worry about it right now.
I actually started running an anti-virus on my Mac, not because there are any OS X viruses out there (0 so far!), but because I deal with a lot of Word files from PC users, and getting a Macro virus can be a PITA. Mainly because then I have to run ClamXAV on all the files and it's just time wasted. Having the anti-virus scan all my downloaded Word files makes my day a little easier.
At my university, all computer users are required to use antivirus in order to use the campus-wide wireless. For PC users, they use Trend Micro and for Mac users, we have to use Norton and the university provides the antivirus for free. It doesn't do much except just sit there from what I can tell. Since I recently switched from PC to Mac in January, I'm used to having antivirus on a computer so it's not big deal to have it on my Mac whether I need it or not.
I did download ClamXav, but i kinda confused on how to use it....is it something that i should keep open on my dock, or only use it to scan files that i download and quit the application after the scan, does it offer any real time protection?
its not going to hurt but its going to take up some of your RAM and slow you down, dont know anything about the program so it may not be a big deal, youll see tho.