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Do I need virus / spyware software for my new Mac?

wehokev

wehokev

macrumors member
Original poster
I have had Windows pcs for many years (prior to that I had my Amiga and Commodore 64). I just got a 24" Alu Mac. Since I have been on Windows XP for a while, I am used to running a virus checker, a spy ware scanner, etc.

Do people use virus / spyware / malware scanners on Macs?

If so what is your recommendation?

Thanks!

Also, if anyone knows a good freeware or shareware Mac version of the game Hearts similar to the one ships with Windows, I would love to hear about it! My spouse has asked me three times about it.
 
wehokev said:
I have had Windows pcs for many years (prior to that I had my Amiga and Commodore 64). I just got a 24" Alu Mac. Since I have been on Windows XP for a while, I am used to running a virus checker, a spy ware scanner, etc.

Do people use virus / spyware / malware scanners on Macs?

If so what is your recommendation?

Thanks!

Also, if anyone knows a good freeware or shareware Mac version of the game Hearts similar to the one ships with Windows, I would love to hear about it! My spouse has asked me three times about it.
Click to expand...

Nope, there's no need for anti-virus/spyware software on your Mac.

There are some great card games available as widgets you can download from Apple.
 
The viruses/malware I've seen for Mac OS X aren't like those on Windows. You have to manually install them before you're affected, they don't automatically install themselves. So currently antiviral software is a waste of money on Mac OS X.
 
Don't waste your money. The unix core of OSX is secure. You can't mess it up unless you willfully do something dumb.
 
i downloaded a virus scanner that is called ClamXav. i run it every once in awhile, but never have a virus.
 
When I was visiting the apple store this weekend I noticed they have anti-virus software for macs for sale in the store. Why?
 
There is only one mac Trojan out in the wild that I know of and no viruses. you do not need any anti virus, unless you go to porn sites and download a codec for video and put in your administrator password to manually install the Trojan, pretending to be a video codec.
 
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