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checking for virus
- Thread starter mac2thefuture
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I don't think this really needs a reply... 
Maybe if there were live virii in the wild that didn't just ask you to put in your root password to delete everything there would be Antivirus software to match
Maybe if there were live virii in the wild that didn't just ask you to put in your root password to delete everything there would be Antivirus software to match
Why does it not need a reply? A Mac is just like any other system, compromisable if you install something off the internet loaded with malware. Aren't we being a little too cavalier here?
Okay, sorry, maybe.
I suppose the presumption that macuser=clever person who doesn't install bad programs, winteluser=person who breaks system while surfing on a daily basis isn't really valid.
I'm not sure a malware scanner and an AV package should really be one and the same, or you'll start heading for the levels of security kludge bloat that plague windows. That's different though.
Maybe once, when pirate mac software was a rarity this was genuinely a non-issue. Now, I suppose it's a ticking timebomb, but there's still the option to only install stuff you've paid for from a reputable source.
I've not really heard of any serious apple virus problems that didn't rely on social engineering though, but I have a feeling you want to tell me otherwise?
I suppose the presumption that macuser=clever person who doesn't install bad programs, winteluser=person who breaks system while surfing on a daily basis isn't really valid.
I'm not sure a malware scanner and an AV package should really be one and the same, or you'll start heading for the levels of security kludge bloat that plague windows. That's different though.
Maybe once, when pirate mac software was a rarity this was genuinely a non-issue. Now, I suppose it's a ticking timebomb, but there's still the option to only install stuff you've paid for from a reputable source.
I've not really heard of any serious apple virus problems that didn't rely on social engineering though, but I have a feeling you want to tell me otherwise?
Nope, I'm no expert. But what you mentioned above was what I was thinking of. Also, there have been at least some reports of trojans I've read about in the past -- for a Mac. Rare to be sure, but it's out there.
I have a feeling that if, and maybe when a problem really happens it'll have it's roots in the amount of poking about and fiddling that's come about as a result of the fascination with getting OsX to run on non-Apple hardware and vice-versa. The old model of 'minority platform=insufficient interest' always had the corollary that the virus writers knew the Windows OS codebase pretty well, especially after that source releasing episode...
I'm not a security specialist over and above normal IT department knowledge and experience. I really have no idea how secure the BSD core in OsX is. It just seems to work for now though.
I'm not a security specialist over and above normal IT department knowledge and experience. I really have no idea how secure the BSD core in OsX is. It just seems to work for now though.
This one's a newbie in the Mac market. Not tried it myself but maybe worth a go.
http://www.iantivirus.com/
Otherwise it's ClamXAV really. If you were going to pay* I would have recommended Sophos, and told you to stay clear of Norton.
*in case anyone else stumbles across this thread in the future.
http://www.iantivirus.com/
Otherwise it's ClamXAV really. If you were going to pay* I would have recommended Sophos, and told you to stay clear of Norton.
*in case anyone else stumbles across this thread in the future.
Another recommendation for ClamXAV. It protects you from old OS X viruses and trojans that came into this world due to social engineering (aka human stupidity). One that comes to mind was back in 2006, known as Oompa Loompa (OSX.Leap.A).
This is also nice in that you can help prevent yourself from accidently sending out infected attachments to Windows users.
This is also nice in that you can help prevent yourself from accidently sending out infected attachments to Windows users.