Do you use antivirus software?

[MacDawg]

I too work in IT and have for years and I always cringe when someone identifies themselves as IT and displays an arrogant, know it all, condescending attitude because it tends to perpetuate unfortunate stereotypes of IT professionals.

Oh, and I have used Macs since 1987 with my first Mac SE
And ever since my traumatic bout with Symantec AV in System 7 I haven't used any AV on any of my numerous Macs since
I have run the free Malwarebytes a few times just for kicks but have never found any malware on my Macs

• Avoid sketchy sites and porn
• Avoid pirated software and torrents
• Know what you are installing and only install from reputable sources
• If you are entering your Admin password, know why you are doing it

It isn't that hard to avoid malware if you pay attention

Someday there may actually be a Mac virus in the wild
When that day comes, NO Mac AV will protect you because it will be a Zero Day virus
If and when that day comes, I will consider installing the AV that is able to bring it down
Until then, I see no need for AV on my Macs

 

[Riwam]

I too work in IT and have for years and I always cringe when someone identifies themselves as IT and displays an arrogant, know it all, condescending attitude because it tends to perpetuate unfortunate stereotypes of IT professionals.

Oh, and I have used Macs since 1987 with my first Mac SE
And ever since my traumatic bout with Symantec AV in System 7 I haven't used any AV on any of my numerous Macs since
I have run the free Malwarebytes a few times just for kicks but have never found any malware on my Macs

• Avoid sketchy sites and porn
• Avoid pirated software and torrents
• Know what you are installing and only install from reputable sources
• If you are entering your Admin password, know why you are doing it

It isn't that hard to avoid malware if you pay attention

Someday there may actually be a Mac virus in the wild
When that day comes, NO Mac AV will protect you because it will be a Zero Day virus
If and when that day comes, I will consider installing the AV that is able to bring it down
Until then, I see no need for AV on my Macs

What you recommend is simple common sense and sensible behaviour and applies to ANY online system regarding of the OS implied.
It does not deny that malware exists who can also affect a MacOS system.
It is just the reasonable way to do one's best to try to avoid it.
Common sense has always be the best protection against dangers but dangers have and always will exist.
Ed

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

What you recommend is simple common sense and sensible behaviour and applies to ANY online system regarding of the OS implied.
It does not deny that malware exists who can also affect a MacOS system.
It is just the reasonable way to do one's best to try to avoid it.
Common sense has always be the best protection against dangers but dangers have and always will exist.
Ed

There is no significant malware threat for Macs and there hasn't been a significant malware threat for Macs for 20 years. Every few years people say that the end times are nigh and that all those complacent Mac people will get hammered by the Malware Apocalypse(tm) Real Soon Now(tm) and must repent their sinful ways and start using antimalware software _immediately_. I remember when there _were_ significant malware threats, and when Mac users really did need antimalware. Apple was forced to make changes in the way the OS operated, multiple changes, at versions 5, 6, and 7. By the time System 8 rolled out, many malware threats were dead, dead, dead, though not if you read certain antimalware vendor's marketing materials, in which threats killed by Apple years earlier were still rabidly lurking and waiting to pounce. System 9 nailed a few more threats. OS X killed, as a side effect, every single Mac malware threat which couldn't run under Classic, which was almost all of them. All of those older threats which survived Classic died on impact with Rosetta. Certain antimalware vendors (Intego) continued to list older threats.

Due to the way that Macs work, there are no viruses for macOS. There just aren't any. There are other types of malware, but no viruses. None. Zero. There are very few drive-by malware threats; most of those cluster on certain types of website, so if users don't go to p0rn sites and insist on viewing that Extra Special Super Video(tm), well they never see that type of malware. Users who insist on viewing ESSV(tm) are on their own. Almost all Mac malware are trojans and adware. Antimalware software is simply not needed to deal with trojans and adware.

There may come a time when there are viruses for Macs. There may come a time when antimalware is needed. Today is not that day. Please list the current top 10 Mac malware threats, and explain why antimalware is needed to deal with each one. Go ahead. I'll wait.

 

[donawalt]

Please list the current top 10 Mac malware threats, and explain why antimalware is needed to deal with each one. Go ahead. I'll wait.

Thanks for your reply @Panthera Tigris Altaica, this is an excellent way to get things out of the nebulous andante the specific. I am curious if anyone replies! By the way - what is ESSV?

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

Thanks for your reply @Panthera Tigris Altaica, this is an excellent way to get things out of the nebulous andante the specific. I am curious if anyone replies! By the way - what is ESSV?

Extra Special Super Video. The p0rn video which has the Really Great Scene(tm) and which requires this Very Special Codec(tm) to view. I've lost count of the number of users, Mac and Windows, whose machines I've had to clean up because of those 'special' codecs and 'special' videos.

 

[justperry]

I usually run Windows. I'm typing this on a Win 10 system. I ensure that there is working, properly set up, antimalware software running on this, and all other, Windows systems I access. I do not _care_ if malware gets sent from a Mac or a Linux machine due to the people running those machines not having antimalware running. _They_ are not responsible for the operation of my Windows machines, _I_ am. The 'protect the Windows people' mindset is one I find particularly stupid.

I've said this before as well, completely agree.

Anyone who thinks MACs are immune to Virus's/Malware, needs a reality check.

In 2016, McAfee Labs reported (PDF) that virus attacks on Macs had risen by 744 percent that year.

https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/mac-security-privacy/

"Although many people think of all unwanted, damaging, and invasive programs as “viruses” the definition of these attacking programs has become refined into several different categories and the umbrella term for these damaging programs is “malware.” Malware types include viruses, worms, Trojans, remote access Trojans, rootkits, spyware, adware, ransomware and botware."

https://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/can-macs-get-viruses-3454926/

Can Macs Get Viruses & Do Macs Need Antivirus Software?

Wondering whether you need antivirus software to protect your Mac? macOS is more secure than Windows, but you'd be wise to look carefully at your security options because Macs can get viruses. We explain why you (probably) need antivirus software for your Mac and what to do if you think you have a virus

Says one which registered just a couple of months ago.

1. Don't shout, it completely invalidates what you want to say.

2. I have used Macs for about 2 decades, been on OS X/macOS since it's beta inception, there was and still is no virus made for OS X/macOS, it's far more secure than most...if not all other Operating Systems, I never had Malware on my Macs, NEVER and I use my Macs on a daily base for a minimum of 5 hours.

3. Macs can get viruses, but surprise, there aren't any.

4. Look up the definition of a virus, it might surprise you.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

There is no significant malware threat for Macs and there hasn't been a significant malware threat for Macs for 20 years. Every few years people say that the end times are nigh and that all those complacent Mac people will get hammered by the Malware Apocalypse(tm) Real Soon Now(tm) and must repent their sinful ways and start using antimalware software _immediately_. I remember when there _were_ significant malware threats, and when Mac users really did need antimalware. Apple was forced to make changes in the way the OS operated, multiple changes, at versions 5, 6, and 7. By the time System 8 rolled out, many malware threats were dead, dead, dead, though not if you read certain antimalware vendor's marketing materials, in which threats killed by Apple years earlier were still rabidly lurking and waiting to pounce. System 9 nailed a few more threats. OS X killed, as a side effect, every single Mac malware threat which couldn't run under Classic, which was almost all of them. All of those older threats which survived Classic died on impact with Rosetta. Certain antimalware vendors (Intego) continued to list older threats.

Due to the way that Macs work, there are no viruses for macOS. There just aren't any. There are other types of malware, but no viruses. None. Zero. There are very few drive-by malware threats; most of those cluster on certain types of website, so if users don't go to p0rn sites and insist on viewing that Extra Special Super Video(tm), well they never see that type of malware. Users who insist on viewing ESSV(tm) are on their own. Almost all Mac malware are trojans and adware. Antimalware software is simply not needed to deal with trojans and adware.

There may come a time when there are viruses for Macs. There may come a time when antimalware is needed. Today is not that day. Please list the current top 10 Mac malware threats, and explain why antimalware is needed to deal with each one. Go ahead. I'll wait.

Such denial. First link is an older report, but an example. With some newer ones below.

https://www.itpro.co.uk/security/30737/apple-macos-malware-soared-270-in-2017

Apple macOS malware soared 270% in 2017

https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252436453/Mac-malware-more-than-doubled-in-2017

Mac malware more than doubled in 2017

https://www.itspmagazine.com/from-the-newsroom/sorry-its-a-myth-that-macs-are-more-secure-than-pcs

Sorry, It's A Myth That Macs Are More Secure Than PCs


[doublepost=1544124248][/doublepost]

I've said this before as well, completely agree.



Says one which registered just a couple of months ago.

1. Don't shout, it completely invalidates what you want to say.

2. I have used Macs for about 2 decades, been on OS X/macOS since it's beta inception, there was and still is no virus made for OS X/macOS, it's far more secure than most...if not all other Operating Systems, I never had Malware on my Macs, NEVER and I use my Macs on a daily base for a minimum of 5 hours.

3. Macs can get viruses, but surprise, there aren't any.

4. Look up the definition of a virus, it might surprise you.

What does my registration time have anything to do with the discussion at hand? It just proves you are being rude and childish.

I don't care if you been using Macs for 2 decades. I've been around computers probably longer than you were born. And times have changed. Over the last few years Macs have gotten infected badly because people like you don't think they can get infected now. And the links I posted are proof that you are wrong. Why don't you provide proof otherwise and give some links?

yes, there are viruses. Keep trying. Definition, Virus falls under the "Malware" name.

"
Macs Aren't More Secure
https://www.itspmagazine.com/from-the-newsroom/sorry-its-a-myth-that-macs-are-more-secure-than-pcs

While Mac users would like to believe that their systems are secure, the truth is that Macs really aren't more secure than Windows PCs.

In the early days, Windows was susceptible to viruses and Macs were generally safe from this subcategory of malware. Thus, the old saw about "Macs don't get viruses" was a fairly true statement. However, these days neither operating system is highly susceptible to viruses, but they're both susceptible to vulnerabilities and malware."

Final Thoughts
It's a myth that Macs are inherently more secure and don't get malware. The same types of threats and threat actors that target other platforms are also targeting Macs and will continue to do so. Moreover, attacks such as cryptojacking and phishing campaigns are universal and can affect any platform. It would be unwise for anyone to smugly assume that they'll never be the victim of an attack. Be open to the possibility that it could happen to anyone—even a Mac user.

Users who remain proactive in safeguarding themselves will certainly be a lot safer than those who don't. If you know a Mac user who isn't very aware about security, kindly consider sharing this article with them; you might save them from becoming the next victim.

 

[GGJstudios]

Such denial. First link is an older report, but an example. With some newer ones below.

All of those links, with their garish, sensationalistic headlines, refer to malware (none of which are viruses) that is easily avoidable by practicing safe computing, including some that won't even work on current macOS versions. It's pure nonsense, being put forth by software companies that want to sell you their antivirus apps. It's foolish to blindly believe them without checking any of their facts, and the fact that you keep quoting such companies as your "research" destroys any credibility behind your statements.

I don't care if you been using Macs for 2 decades. I've been around computers probably longer than you were born.

I could likely say the same about you, but that doesn't prove anything. Since Mac OS X has only been around about 17 years, that's all the time that matters. Any experience someone has before OS X is irrelevant to this conversation.

Over the last few years Macs have gotten infected badly because people like you don't think they can get infected now.

That is simply false, as is the marketshare theory, which has been thoroughly debunked. In earlier years, before OS X, Macs had a much smaller marketshare and installed base, yet Mac malware was more prevalent, including real viruses. Since OS X was introduced, Mac marketshare and installed base has grown significantly, yet Mac malware as a percentage of installed systems has decreased, and viruses have decreased.... to zero. CAN Macs be infected by malware? Of course, just like any other OS. However, practicing safe computing will effectively avoid 100% of Mac malware in the wild. Anti-malware software is not required to keep a Mac malware-free.

yes, there are viruses.

As I've stated before and you have failed to respond, name ONE macOS virus in the wild. Just one. Trojans and worms and adware don't count. Name one true virus in the wild that can infect macOS.

Thus, the old saw about "Macs don't get viruses" was a fairly true statement. However, these days neither operating system is highly susceptible to viruses, but they're both susceptible to vulnerabilities and malware."

"Macs don't get viruses" is 100% true, since none exist. Vulnerabilities and malware, which exist for every operating system, is not the same as viruses, which are a specific type of malware.

Users who remain proactive in safeguarding themselves will certainly be a lot safer than those who don't.

This is exactly what I and others have been saying in this thread. Practicing safe computing will protect a Mac user's system better than installing an antivirus app.

 

[justperry]

What does my registration time have anything to do with the discussion at hand? It just proves you are being rude and childish.

No comment.....

 

[Riwam]

No comment.....

All modern virus and trojan are intended to make money in a non legal and easy way.
Long time ago they were often made to harm people someone hated or to enjoy the power of creating havoc to many unknown computer users but that is in modern times no longer the goal.
If installing them in as many computers as possible (of course without knowledge of their owners) allows criminals to use those generated bots for instance to manipulate the value of crypto currencies, as had happened several times in the recent past, their purpose to make a lot of money is reached.
Windows OS has always been in greater risk simply because most computer users in the world work with some form of Windows. The chance to infect many systems is accordingly much higher.
The reason why Apple users (or Linux users) are still in relative safety is just the smaller quantity of Mac (or Linux) users in the world.
The more people switch to Apple computers, the greater benefit comes from creating virus active in a MacOS environment.
Neither is Microsoft (Windows) run by idiots, nor is Apple (MacOS) run by Einsteins to explain the preferred OS targets of those creating and distributing a virus.
It is just a matter of quantities of possible victims and resulting profit obtained in an easy way.
Concerning myself I feel better running from time to time an antivirus in my Macs but if other people feel happy not doing it, it's their decision.
Not very probable is not equal to impossible.
Ed

 

[GGJstudios]

The reason why Apple users (or Linux users) are still in relative safety is just the smaller quantity of Mac (or Linux) users in the world.
The more people switch to Apple computers, the greater benefit comes from creating virus active in a MacOS environment.

This market share theory has been debunked many times. How else can you account for the fact that when Apple market share was much smaller, there was a higher instance of malware on installed systems? As Apple market share increased, the percentage of infections decreased. If market share was the cause, malware should have increased in relative proportion to market share. It didn't. It actually moved in the opposite direction. There were Mac viruses in the wild until OS X came along. Since then, there have been zero, even though there are 100+ million Macs in the world. That's certainly enough market to monetize through malware, yet the percentage of Macs exposed to malware is disproportionately less than Windows systems. It has been many years since Macs were obscure enough to dodge malware developers, yet relatively little Mac malware exists in the wild, with only a tiny fraction of Mac users ever encountering any such malware.

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

All modern virus and trojan are intended to make money in a non legal and easy way.
Long time ago they were often made to harm people someone hated or to enjoy the power of creating havoc to many unknown computer users but that is in modern times no longer the goal.
If installing them in as many computers as possible (of course without knowledge of their owners) allows criminals to use those generated bots for instance to manipulate the value of crypto currencies, as had happened several times in the recent past, their purpose to make a lot of money is reached.
Windows OS has always been in greater risk simply because most computer users in the world work with some form of Windows. The chance to infect many systems is accordingly much higher.
The reason why Apple users (or Linux users) are still in relative safety is just the smaller quantity of Mac (or Linux) users in the world.
The more people switch to Apple computers, the greater benefit comes from creating virus active in a MacOS environment.
Neither is Microsoft (Windows) run by idiots, nor is Apple (MacOS) run by Einsteins to explain the preferred OS targets of those creating and distributing a virus.
It is just a matter of quantities of possible victims and resulting profit obtained in an easy way.
Concerning myself I feel better running from time to time an antivirus in my Macs but if other people feel happy not doing it, it's their decision.
Not very probable is not equal to impossible.
Ed

There was more malware for Macs, in both variety and absolute numbers, and some of that malware was more dangerous than current malware, in the days when Mac marketshare was less than a third of what it is today. The marketshare is NOT the reason why there is so little malware for Macs. Literally the _only_ malware to show up on one of my systems in _TWENTY YEARS_ has been Windows malware. The only Mac malware I've seen, other than adware, on other people's machines have been the results of playing with fire, usually on a p0rn site. And both the adware and the side-effects of p0rn sites are easily dealt with.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

There was more malware for Macs, in both variety and absolute numbers, and some of that malware was more dangerous than current malware, in the days when Mac marketshare was less than a third of what it is today. The marketshare is NOT the reason why there is so little malware for Macs. Literally the _only_ malware to show up on one of my systems in _TWENTY YEARS_ has been Windows malware. The only Mac malware I've seen, other than adware, on other people's machines have been the results of playing with fire, usually on a p0rn site. And both the adware and the side-effects of p0rn sites are easily dealt with.

Sadly, this 60 year old lady doesn’t look at sites like those but still got infected. It can still happen without doing what you say.

 

[GGJstudios]

The only Mac malware I've seen, other than adware, on other people's machines have been the results of playing with fire, usually on a p0rn site. And both the adware and the side-effects of p0rn sites are easily dealt with.

Sadly, this 60 year old lady doesn’t look at sites like those but still got infected. It can still happen without doing what you say.

The image you posted shows nothing but one instance of adware, with multiple variants, which was installed by the user, either through intent or negligence. Safe computing practices would have avoided that adware.

 

[Riwam]

The image you posted shows nothing but one instance of adware, with multiple variants, which was installed by the user, either through intent or negligence. Safe computing practices would have avoided that adware.

When somebody is convinced he or she has swallowed the absolute truth there is no sense to argue as I said in the past.
He (she) simply won't ever listen and found any possible or impossible ways to justify him or herself and their stubborn opinions.
It's simply a waste of time.
Let him (her) have the last word and keep one's energy for more productive tasks.
A discussion is only useful with open minded people, not with these kind of self convinced people.
Ed

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

When somebody is convinced he or she has swallowed the absolute truth there is no sense to argue as I said in the past.
He (she) simply won't ever listen and found any possible or impossible ways to justify him or herself and their stubborn opinions.
It's simply a waste of time.
Let him (her) have the last word and keep one's energy for more productive tasks.
A discussion is only useful with open minded people, not with these kind of self convinced people.
Ed

Those who advocate installing antimalware on Macs in the current environment are in the position of the boy who cried 'wolf'. They've been crying 'wolf' for over 20 years, some for over 30 years. At first there really were wolves, but for _TWENTY YEARS_ there have been, at best, wolf cubs.

I'm still waiting for that list of the top 10 current malware threats for Macs. Because I mostly have Windows systems I keep current on CVEs. I'd just _love_ to see a list of actual, in the wild, operational, Mac threats which require the use of antimalware to stop, rather than just adblockers and common sense. Hey, I'll even take theoretical threats, just to make things easier. Please note that things like Spectre don't count, that's hardware and can't be defended by antimalware.

 

[Fishrrman]

In 30+ years of Mac'ing, never had a problem with "viruses", per se.

I used the great "Disinfectant" app back in the Classic Mac OS days.
I never had a problem with the old OS, but a friend did -- he got infected with nVir (I think that's what it was called) -- it came on an official software install floppy that he had bought!

However, I did pick up a piece of "adware" (or malware) several months' back. I think I got it from downloading an app installer (for a utility), don't recall the exact source.

MalwareBytes found it quickly and got rid of it.
Nothing since.

So... even though "anti-virus" software isn't needed on the Mac, it's still worth having MalwareBytes around. It actually works.

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

In 30+ years of Mac'ing, never had a problem with "viruses", per se.

I used the great "Disinfectant" app back in the Classic Mac OS days.
I never had a problem with the old OS, but a friend did -- he got infected with nVir (I think that's what it was called) -- it came on an official software install floppy that he had bought!

However, I did pick up a piece of "adware" (or malware) several months' back. I think I got it from downloading an app installer (for a utility), don't recall the exact source.

MalwareBytes found it quickly and got rid of it.
Nothing since.

So... even though "anti-virus" software isn't needed on the Mac, it's still worth having MalwareBytes around. It actually works.

Some people fail to understand that it's not complacency, it's not the blind belief that Macs can't get malware, it's experience over a very long time. My small computer experience started with Commodore PETs and Apple IIs in the late 1970s. (My large computer experience with PDPs, VAXes, and IBM System /36s started around the same time, a little later for the /36s. My very large computer experience with IBM System /360s and /370s started about that time, too.) I was _there_ for the early malware attacks. I _saw_ how things were for Macs prior to the significant system security changes that Apple made throughout the late 1980s and into the 1990s. Let me say that again: I was there. There used to be a very significant malware threat for Macs. This is no longer the case. It is not denial. It is not complacency. It is not blind faith. It is my judgement, based on FORTY YEARS EXPERIENCE. I have not seen Mac malware on any of my machines for TWENTY YEARS. I still have Windows systems. I _know_ what a serious malware threat level looks like. My Windows machines all have antimalware on them precisely because there _is_ a serious threat to them. Even with antimalware I've had to take defensive measures on some Windows systems as malware got through anyway. The only malware which comes close to my Macs are adware, and they don't actually land, because I use common sense and adblockers to keep them away. Even so, I've seen more malware get rejected by my Windows systems in the last week than I've seen even approach my Macs in the last _year_. The threat levels are simply not comparable. Operating a Windows system without antimalware would be extremely difficult. Operating a Mac without antimalware is trivial.

Antimalware software is simply not necessary on a Mac. In particular, active antimalware software, the kind of thing that McAfee and Norton push, is not necessary. The free version of MalwareBytes only runs when users tell it to. It does not sit, actively scanning, using system resources searching for malware which has not come onto one of my machines in TWENTY YEARS. Instead, it scans only when told to, and then goes away. I don't use it myself, but that's the system that I recommend to those who absolutely must have an antimalware security blanket.

Note that I occasionally do business with people who think that I absolutely must have active antimalware installed. In that case I usually use my Windows laptop, which does have active antimalware installed. If I have to connect using a Mac system, I have a copy of Sophos which I install and run for the time that the Mac is connected to their system and then uninstall as soon as the Mac is no longer connected. The _only_ reason I have Sophos is because they insist. My Macs have exactly the same level of malware infection as theirs: zero. They pay serious money for high-end antimalware, and that high-end antimalware uses RAM, disk, and CPU cycles. Sophos is free and isn't running on any of my Macs except when I connect to them. I see no reason why I should pay money to slow my machines down, to eat RAM and disk, and then to get the same level of infection that I have now.

And I still haven't seen anyone provide a list of the top ten Mac malware roaming loose. There has to be lots of them to justify all the wailing and moaning about having to install antimalware. Please, please, please, won't someone just post that list? CVE-posted items only, please. Access to the CVE database is available at https://cve.mitre.org/

 

[GGJstudios]

And I still haven't seen anyone provide a list of the top ten Mac malware roaming loose. There has to be lots of them to justify all the wailing and moaning about having to install antimalware. Please, please, please, won't someone just post that list? CVE-posted items only, please. Access to the CVE database is available at https://cve.mitre.org/

I find it interesting that if you search that database with the keywords "macOS" and "virus", you only get 3 hits, which describe vulnerabilities, not in macOS, but in antivirus apps that run on macOS.

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

I find it interesting that if you search that database with the keywords "macOS" and "virus", you only get 3 hits, which describe vulnerabilities, not in macOS, but in antivirus apps that run on macOS.

There would be a reason why I asked for the top 10.

There aren't that many.

There is, simply, no significant malware threat for Macs. It's not just me saying so. The people whose job it is to search for and list malware threats say so.

One more time: why should I invest in and install antimalware for Macs when there is, simply, no significant malware threat for Macs?

 

[GGJstudios]

There would be a reason why I asked for the top 10.

There aren't that many.

There is, simply, no significant malware threat for Macs. It's not just me saying so. The people whose job it is to search for and list malware threats say so.

One more time: why should I invest in and install antimalware for Macs when there is, simply, no significant malware threat for Macs?

I completely agree. I never needed any. I've installed and tested some over the years in order to respond to questions in this forum, but none of them ever detected any malware on any of my Macs. I always delete them right after testing.

 

[Anarchy99]

the only legit reason to run antivirus suites on a mac is to prevent spreading windows viruses to unprotected windows machines, so they are basically useless.

anyone who says otherwise doesn't understand reality

 

[Riwam]

There would be a reason why I asked for the top 10.

There aren't that many.

There is, simply, no significant malware threat for Macs. It's not just me saying so. The people whose job it is to search for and list malware threats say so.

One more time: why should I invest in and install antimalware for Macs when there is, simply, no significant malware threat for Macs?

You have made your point countless times and are still going on with the same melody.
Point 1 : you have been in computers for zillions of years with very vast know how and experience.
Point 2 : it's impossible to find a virus active in MacOSX and it follows from that thought that nobody could ever make and distribute such a virus.
Point 3 : antivirus software makes mac computers considerably much slower and less performant.
To your point 1, nobody has reasons to doubt your own assesment of your own experience and nobody cares.
As to point 2, I see no reason that, provided that someone dishonest sees a way to make money by infecting mac computers, he or she should not be skillful enough to create such an undesirable product. People moving in the underworld of IT's dark net have proven to find ways to hack even government top secret data. If criminals believe at a certain moment that there are by now enough mac users as potential victims, I have no doubt that they will find the way to take advantage of them. It's a matter of time.
I DO NOT BELIEVE that the MacOS was created so PERFECT that it CANNOT be attacked. There is no such a thing as perfection in this world.
As to your point 3, I have tentatively installed Eset and Symantec without removing Malwarebytes.
I have not detected in my normal non-pro usage any such slowing down and any ressources being eaten away by all those antivirus installed and running at the same time in the same computer.
Maybe I am too old or too blind to see the supposed havoc caused by those applications.
I might keep just one of the three and remove the others. It was simply my way to check any negative consequences and if they do exist, they might at the most be measurable but (at least in MY computer!) not clear enough to be noticed (by ME).
To conclude, every user of a Mac is (of course) entirely free to decide by him/herself if he/she feels better with an antivirus or without one.
To continue this discussion is useless since the posts reflect the firm and unchanged beliefs of those people who already and repeatedly answered the question of the thread starter. Nobody seems to have changed the views by an inch by meeting here people with other opinions.
Ed

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

You have made your point countless times and are still going on with the same melody.
Point 1 : you have been in computers for zillions of years with very vast know how and experience.
Point 2 : it's impossible to find a virus active in MacOSX and it follows from that thought that nobody could ever make and distribute such a virus.
Point 3 : antivirus software makes mac computers considerably much slower and less performant.
To your point 1, nobody has reasons to doubt your own assesment of your own experience and nobody cares.
As to point 2, I see no reason that, provided that someone dishonest sees a way to make money by infecting mac computers, he or she should not be skillful enough to create such an undesirable product. People moving in the underworld of IT's dark net have proven to find ways to hack even government top secret data. If criminals believe at a certain moment that there are by now enough mac users as potential victims, I have no doubt that they will find the way to take advantage of them. It's a matter of time.
I DO NOT BELIEVE that the MacOS was created so PERFECT that it CANNOT be attacked. There is no such a thing as perfection in this world.
As to your point 3, I have tentatively installed Eset and Symantec without removing Malwarebytes.
I have not detected in my normal non-pro usage any such slowing down and any ressources being eaten away by all those antivirus installed and running at the same time in the same computer.
Maybe I am too old or too blind to see the supposed havoc caused by those applications.
I might keep just one of the three and remove the others. It was simply my way to check any negative consequences and if they do exist, they might at the most be measurable but (at least in MY computer!) not clear enough to be noticed (by ME).
To conclude, every user of a Mac is (of course) entirely free to decide by him/herself if he/she feels better with an antivirus or without one.
To continue this discussion is useless since the posts reflect the firm and unchanged beliefs of those people who already and repeatedly answered the question of the thread starter. Nobody seems to have changed the views by an inch by meeting here people with other opinions.
Ed

I have stated, repeatedly, that there may be a day when there is a real malware threat. That day is not today. Certainly someone could create new Mac malware. However... existing antimalware will not detect it! Existing antimalware CANNOT detect it, that's not the way that antimalware software works! If the day comes when new, powerful, super malware appears, then there will be a delay while the antimalware vendors work out how to detect and kill it, and _then_ will be the time to buy antimalware software! In the meantime, there simply is no reason to buy antimalware software, as there currently is not a significant threat.

Go ahead. Waste your time and money (and it is a waste...) on antimalware software in the current situation. Ignore the way that some antimalware software (McAfee) will eat your email, that some antimalware software (Norton) will randomly destroy system files, that some antimalware software (Intego) is produced by people who claim that it protects against threats which have been dead for _decades_. All software, including antimalware software, uses CPU cycles and RAM when running. All software, including antimalware software, uses disk space for storage. Not only do you waste money on antimalware, you waste system resources. But those resources are yours to waste. I will not join you wasting them. And if I see you, or anyone else, advising people to use antimalware for Macs in the current situation, I will say that it is a waste of time, money, and resources.

Please produce that list of the top 10 malware threats that I've asked, repeatedly, for.

And cool down. And learn the way that software and systems actually work. Once you do, you may find that you don't feel the need for antimalware, either. Not until there is an actual real threat, anyway. Keep an eye on the CVE list, that's how most people who aren't actually working in system security find out about new threats. Or continue to live in fear, for no reason. Your choice.

 

[IdentityCrisis]

I have stated, repeatedly, that there may be a day when there is a real malware threat. That day is not today. Certainly someone could create new Mac malware. However... existing antimalware will not detect it! Existing antimalware CANNOT detect it, that's not the way that antimalware software works! If the day comes when new, powerful, super malware appears, then there will be a delay while the antimalware vendors work out how to detect and kill it, and _then_ will be the time to buy antimalware software! In the meantime, there simply is no reason to buy antimalware software, as there currently is not a significant threat.

Go ahead. Waste your time and money (and it is a waste...) on antimalware software in the current situation. Ignore the way that some antimalware software (McAfee) will eat your email, that some antimalware software (Norton) will randomly destroy system files, that some antimalware software (Intego) is produced by people who claim that it protects against threats which have been dead for _decades_. All software, including antimalware software, uses CPU cycles and RAM when running. All software, including antimalware software, uses disk space for storage. Not only do you waste money on antimalware, you waste system resources. But those resources are yours to waste. I will not join you wasting them. And if I see you, or anyone else, advising people to use antimalware for Macs in the current situation, I will say that it is a waste of time, money, and resources.

Please produce that list of the top 10 malware threats that I've asked, repeatedly, for.

And cool down. And learn the way that software and systems actually work. Once you do, you may find that you don't feel the need for antimalware, either. Not until there is an actual real threat, anyway. Keep an eye on the CVE list, that's how most people who aren't actually working in system security find out about new threats. Or continue to live in fear, for no reason. Your choice.

There is a real threat and we already proved that to you. I don't give a crap about your 40 years of experience, because times have changed. I have 30 years of experience and I work in the IT field. I proved to you with the links to professional publications that it is an issue now and it's getting worse. You have yet to prove otherwise with any articles that say what you continue to apply "Malware is not a thread to Macs now". And no one needs to produce a list when the articles all discussed it we already posted to you. You need to post the articles that say there is no malware that you keep applying. We been asking you this for a while now and you still haven't done it.

So, till you prove us otherwise with facts with links, you have no clue what you are talking about. And I am done here, because I refuse to have a discussion with someone so blind.