Anti-Virus: Is it necessary for OS X?

[MacNoobGuy]

hey guys, i've been wondering this for a while and was hoping someone here could help me out. i'm still relatively new to the Mac and always used an anti-virus on Windows. i used the Microsoft built 'Microsoft Security Essentials' and this always worked great.

i'm always checking for updates from Apple via 'Software Update' and was wondering if this alone would be enough? i don't open files i'm unsure of, but i don't know how viruses spread on the OS X platform. how do they spread?

thanks for any help

 

[stridemat]

Have a read of this FAQ and post back with any questions.

http://guides.macrumors.com/Mac_Virus/Malware_FAQ

 

[MacNoobGuy]

thanks, i'll take a look. nobody has a response on this?

i know the user is still the most important piece in the security jigsaw, but i just wanted some other feedback.

 

[Feed Me]

I wouldn't say it's nessecary, but it doesn't hurt. Go and get ClamXAV or something and do a scan now and then.

Our iMac has run since 2007 and I recently did my first ever antivirus scan on it the other day - nothing whatsoever found.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

thanks, i'll take a look. nobody has a response on this?

i know the user is still the most important piece in the security jigsaw, but i just wanted some other feedback.

Have you actually read the FAQ?
Here is same FAQ again, in a clickable format.

Mac Virus/Malware Info by GGJstudios​

Anyway, there are currently no viruses affecting Mac OS X, thus nothing to spread, and if YOU employ safe computing steps, you don't need AV software.

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Maybe have a look at Advanced Search or MRoogle to find similar threads for getting some kind of feedback about malware and AV software while you wait for more answers, and there have been hundreds, maybe even thousands:

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[WillEH]

Have you actually read the FAQ?
Here is same FAQ again, in a clickable format.

Mac Virus/Malware Info by GGJstudios​

Anyway, there are currently no viruses affecting Mac OS X, thus nothing to spread, and if YOU employ safe computing steps, you don't need AV software.

____________________________________________________________

Maybe have a look at Advanced Search or MRoogle to find similar threads for getting some kind of feedback about malware and AV software while you wait for more answers, and there have been hundreds, maybe even thousands:

[url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10644330/MR_Image_Hotlinks/MR_screenshots/MR_screenshots_2011_11/2011_11_02_pB1_MR_advSearch_small.png]Image[/URL]​

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Are you GGJstudios brother?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Are you GGJstudios brother?

Seeing that I get as many downvotes as him for posting helpful information, probably. But I am the younger one, don't forget that.

 

[WillEH]

Seeing that I get as many downvotes as him for posting helpful information, probably. But I am the younger one, don't forget that.

Cool, was just double checking

 

[MacNoobGuy]

I wouldn't say it's nessecary, but it doesn't hurt. Go and get ClamXAV or something and do a scan now and then.

Our iMac has run since 2007 and I recently did my first ever antivirus scan on it the other day - nothing whatsoever found.

is CLAMXAV the best free AV on the Mac?

 

[Comeagain?]

Seeing that I get as many downvotes as him for posting helpful information, probably. But I am the younger one, don't forget that.

I like the new link to Mroogle. A link that works, too!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

is CLAMXAV the best free AV on the Mac?

Yes, it is. But you don't need to run it in Sentry Mode.