I agree that it's pertinent for users that are on current SL or Lion. Users of earlier versions of Mac OS X don't have the same functionality. Mostly it's because I haven't taken the time to update the link. Also, I wouldn't advise any user to place their dependence on anti-malware software, to the exclusion of safe computing practices. The user knowing that the scanner is present is not required for it to be as effective as it can be.
No, as all forms of Mac OS X malware in the wild can be avoided by safe computing practices alone.
The only problem with that argument is that since no such malware exists in the wild, no anti-malware can protect against it, since it doesn't know what to look for. Until such malware manifests itself and defenses are created, anti-malware offers no additional security to those who employ safe computing practices.
I'm not contradicting myself. The Mac OS X trojans that exist in the wild cannot install themselves without user consent. That's one of the primary differences between viruses and trojans. Read the Mac Virus/Malware link I posted earlier to understand the differences.
Yes, it's possible for any OS to get a virus. However, since none have ever existed for Mac OS X, antivirus software offers no protection against a future virus. When one is released into the wild and discovered and virus definitions are added to antivirus apps, then they will be able to offer protection. Until then, as long as a user is careful in what software they elect to install, they can run malware-free without the need for antivirus software. If someone elects to run antivirus software, that's certainly their choice, but it's not required.
Of course! I've made many mistakes in my life. But if you're referring to installing malware-infected software from untrustworthy sites or software that I haven't carefully researched before installing, the answer is no, I've never made such a mistake. Neither has the vast majority of Mac OS X users, or the media would be buzzing with the flood of malware on Mac OS X.
This is off-topic, as that discussion is in a completely different thread. As I said, it's extremely unlikely. While it's not impossible, the people who would bother with employing such techniques to access other people's computers represent an extremely small minority. Most computer users barely know enough to surf the web, check email and run basic apps. This is evidenced by the thousands of threads posted in this and other forums, asking the most basic of questions.
That's not what I'm saying at all. I'm saying you don't need 3rd party anti-virus/anti-malware to keep your Mac free from malware, as long as you're careful about what software you install. You can run AV if you choose, but don't expect that it will provide any more protection than safe computing practices will provide, and don't expect that it will protect you from malware that has not yet been created. The danger in running anti-malware is allowing it to give you a false sense of security, causing you to abandon safe computing practices. As has already been proven in the case of MacDefender and others, malware detection rates of anti-malware apps is less than 100%, but safe computing practices can protect you from all Mac OS X malware that exists in the wild.
The percentage of average Mac users having their computers compromised is extremely small. Naturally, the likelihood increases when using public or unsecured networks, but it's still quite small. I don't recommend running on public or unsecured networks at all, and I didn't misinform that poster. The symptoms they were concerned about were completely unrelated to malware or having their computer compromised. They had launched Front Row and didn't know what it was. That user was even running ClamXav antivirus. Their issue had nothing to do with computer security at all. They simply didn't know what the Front Row app was.
Online accounts being compromised in most cases has nothing to do with the user's computer, but are usually compromised due to weak passwords. I've seen very few instances where someone's computer was hacked or accessed to compromise security. Most often, email accounts or other online accounts are accessed without involving the user's computer at all.
I didn't misinform the poster. What I stated was completely accurate. I addressed the poster's concern and resolved the issue they posted about. I elected not to derail that thread with an off-topic discussion about network security that had nothing to do with that poster's issue. Please stop derailing this thread with off-topic discussion about an unrelated thread. If you want to talk about that thread, it's more appropriate to do so in that thread.
