Best AntiVirus? ClamXav? ClamAV? iAntivirus? Etc.

[theJamie]

What is the best anitvirus to have? I have seen iAntiVirus, ClamXav, ClamAV , and something else?

I don't do heavy downloading, but I am going to school next year and I don't want to be infected by some loser on the network. Free is preferable.

 

[MacMini2009]

I've used iAntivirus before and its great, but you don't really need an antivirus on a Mac.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Intego Virus Barrier.

 

[jackiecanev2]

Wirelessly posted (BB 8900: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.250 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/301)

Personally, a little common sense goes a long way. Just my $0.02.

 

[theJamie]

I just checked requirements. My school won't let me use the network unless i HAVE anti-virus. It didn't say Macs were exempt... that is why I have to look into it. It's either I get it... or no internet for me.

 

[Buzz Bumble]

I just checked requirements. My school won't let me use the network unless i HAVE anti-virus. It didn't say Macs were exempt... that is why I have to look into it. It's either I get it... or no internet for me.

Just write a little Automator application or similar that displays a windows saying "You are protected by GooberSoft AntiVirus". Put it in the dock and when the Windroid IT twits at school ask simply click on it and they can see it is indeed "running".

Antivirus software on a Mac is only any use for slowing it down (a little) and taking up hard drive space.

 

[Detektiv-Pinky]

I've used iAntivirus before and its great, but you don't really need an antivirus on a Mac.

Do I sense some contradiction in your post?

 

[EmperorDarius]

Only 3 antiviruses are actually decent for OS X, which means, do not cause a significant slowdown (means, they're not Windows-ish) and work well. The commercial ones are Intego VirusBarrier and Sophos Antivirus. Both very light and unintrusive, you can't even notice they're there. Currently I'm using Sophos.

VirusBarrier is better for single users, Sophos is specialized in Enterprises/Small businesses.

VirusBarrier detects some Windows malware, Sophos contains the full Windows and Mac malware database.

The third option is the only (decent) free one: iAntivirus. It detects Mac-only malware, it's light and fast. The only downside is that some users are reporting CPU problems (CPU usage goes 100% sometimes, randomly, you can read more on their forum).

There's also ClamXAv, but I wouldn't recommend it as it's mainly only for Windows malware, and that to get real time protection you must install an extra component which is actually pretty slow.

The other Avs I've tried (Norton, McAfee) are garbage. Oh, there's also Dr.Web for the Mac, though I haven't tried it.

That's also I've got to say, make your choice.

[Disclaimer: I do not want to promote the usage of anti-virus software under Mac OS X, as it is mainly unneeded, but if your school requires it...]

 

[theJamie]

I downloaded iAntivirus. I'll install it if they won't let me connect to the network or someone checks my Mac. For now, it's stay zipped in the downloads folder. Thanks for the help.