Anti-virius needed or no?

[Telp]

should i be keeping clamXav on all the time or only when i need to scan

just when you need a scan, itll take up more of your CPU then you would like.

 

[MrMacMan]

At the moment I would say you are safe, BUT I would install Anti-virus, just in case.

FJ

Anti-Virus software is completely useless on the mac. There are no viruses in the wild and nothing harmful as of yet.

thanks
has anyone heard of Macscan, or something like that...its a spyware scanner....needed or no?

Macscan was made by a company that puffed up claims that spyware was commonly used and located on your mac. Unless your computer is used by disgruntle employees you have nothing to worry about.

I use McAfee VirusScan, which I get for free through my University.

But if it isn't free -- its not worth buying.

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.

Personally, I'd had problems with Norton utilities before... but I suppose the worst thing Norton AntiVirus can do it suck your CPU up unnecessarily.


Look here is the advise:
Until you see a frontpage report on MacRumors or Apple.com about a virus -- your computer is and has been completely virus free. If your worried scan every month, but don't keep it running 24/7, there is no use.

-- MrMacMan