best antivirus program for my Mac mini?

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Guys, can you just not be self-righteous for a moment? He knows he doesn't need one, but his job requires it. Telling him "you don't need one" doesn't much help that situation, does it? Bureaucratic BS doesn't stop for common sense.

Actually what he said was:

I must get all of the latest updates and security things necessary because my job won't let me connect my computer to the network (over 300 people) until that happens.

...and "the latest updates and security" was 10.3.8 Feb 9th with the Security Update 2005-002 on Feb 22th... so that's what he needs...

 

[Maxiseller]

It's true that there aren't many mac viruses out there (if any at all!) and we have been free from attacks for the last few years - but that isn't to say that we could be a potential target in the future. I personally don't bother with an antivirus software, but that is more becasue I don't really want to shell out £100 for a piece of software that logically speaking, I probbaly won't need. I'm much better off backing up all my files, and installing from scratch if ever mac users were attacked. Also of course, £100 could buy you a nice external Hard Drive to back up all your data...have a long hard think. I tend to think antivirus software for macs is a little like a condom machine in the vatican. Useless.

 

[sandman42]

To all of you "you don't need it" responders...

I can sympathize with jayeskreezy -- my work will let people connect their own computers to the network, but only if they have specific anti-virus software (and encryption for remote access) installed, whether they need it or not, no ifs-ands-or-buts, and no exceptions. It's not about whether or not my computer's protected, it's about the security of the network as a whole, and they don't want to quibble over whether or not my computer's a threat to the network or not.

 

[26139]

You know...

If the whole network was mac...we wouldn't have to debate this at all.

 

[matticus008]

How exactly does a virus infect pc environment through a mac? Does it hijack mail? Nope. Hijack Safari? Nope again. Does it make OS X send virii through the network? Wrong.
The only was for that to happen is for the Mac user to FORWARD (this has to be a deliberate action) an email containing a virus to a pc on the network.
Virus programs are a waste with a mac, but if you MUST get one, just grab virex. Norton is quite a pain and a huge resource hog.

Precisely. The only way to send viruses to PC users is by forwarding them. Without any sort of virus protection on the Mac, how do you know what you're sending? The obvious .exe, .scr, .vbs extensions could be removed, but say you've received a Windows-only file format carrying a virus (or multiple viruses). There's no way to run it on a Mac and be sure it's clean. The corporate policy ensure that each network device is protected, both in and out. Any holes in this approach reduces reliability and integrity of the network as a whole. The OP's IT staff requires antivirus on all machines--I have the same policy. Macs included--both firewall and AV required, no exceptions, before they are granted so much as internet access (to say nothing of file server access).

And "viruses" is italicized for emphasis; virii, viri, etc. ARE NOT PLURAL FORMS OF VIRUS. Just a (major) pet peeve.

 

[Jovian9]

best antivirus for my Mac....hmmmmmmmmmm......
I think I prefer OSX

 

[Mechcozmo]

Hey guys... original poster said he HAD TO GET A/V software. Work wouldn't allow him otherwise to use the network.

Use Virex. It's kinda optional with .Mac...