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Anti-virus/internet security app for iMac

K

kmria

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 3, 2012
24
0
Hey guys,

I am due to get my new iMac today :)

I am switching from Windows to Mac for the first time. One of the reason is that every windows based PC or Laptop I ever bought start getting slow and laggy after few years.

I don't download any pirated software (as a photographer I respect others hard work in developing softwares) I do however get lots of spam. Also I get customers' USB stick etc some time that might carry some virus.

I just wanted to know that what is the best option for any anti-virus for mac? or at least some kind of virus, Spam or ad-ware scanner.

I don't mind if it is not free as long as it does solid job ;)

Thanks,
 
It would be pretty safe to not have any antivirus at all but since last year it's not an option I would recommend anymore to someone like you who deals with other users' data.

Just don't install MacKeeper, it's a really bad software that often results in errors.

Look at big brands like ESET/Norton... Clamxav is supposed to be pretty good and it's free.

Others will definitely chime in, I never used antivirus on my macs.
 
Probably you can live without as I did in the last years.

The real thing is that there isn't (or i don't know) a really professional software.

Most important security software house don't release antivirus for mac otherwise I'll use it
 
Sounds very assuring. I think the new Mountain Lion have some kind of gatekeeper that only allows apple approved apps to run.

I just can't wait to power up that iMac for the first time. Any other suggestion for newbie to Mac world like me? Especially making it last 4 years without going slow and buggy (i guess it's just the window thing!!)
 
You won't need any protection honestly. I have been using 4 Macs since 2005 and never had any issues.
 
You don't need one man, all it will do is slow you mac down. Just put gatekeeper on to only allow apps from the mac app store to download and you will be safe. Even windows 8 has some sort of built in security- maybe firms are finally getting it.
 
That that, i am not getting any app and trusting iMac. Thanks guys. As always one of the best community we got here. :)

(*waiting at the window, looking out for UPS van!!*)
 
I have Bitdefender (its free) on my macs that I run ever so often. It doesn't not run all the time like Windows Antivirus software would.
 
kmria said:
I just wanted to know that what is the best option for any anti-virus for mac? or at least some kind of virus, Spam or ad-ware scanner.
Click to expand...
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.
  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. Never let someone else have access to install anything on your Mac.

  7. Don't open files that you receive from unknown or untrusted sources.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

If you still want to run antivirus for some reason, 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. You can run scans when you choose, rather than leaving it running all the time, slowing your system.
kmria said:
Any other suggestion for newbie to Mac world like me?
Click to expand...
This may be useful:

Helpful Information for Any Mac User
iMac Fast Start: The new user's guide to iMac
 
i am using windows since day 1 and thinking to get new laptop and thinking to use windows or mac.

my colleague office iMac is using Eset.
 
I've had good success using Onyx (freeware) to keep the Mac clean and running efficiently. Also, ClamXav is a good virus scanner, particularly if you are sharing files with a Windows PC (it scans for both Mac and Win malware). As noted by above posters, there really aren't many Mac viruses to worry about though.
 
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