Do you use antivirus software?

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

Ok tell me this why companies has a paid version and a free version??

That would depend on the app. Malwarebytes, for example, will install the full version, which does automatic scanning, as part of the free package. However, the automatic scanning is turned off after a time (30 days? 60 days? 90 days? I don't remember. I do remember that you get a warning that if you don't move to the pay version, auto scanning will be turned off.) During the period that autoscanning is on, users get automatic updates of the malware detection library, so the threat environment status is updated. If the pay version is not activated, the auto updates stop. After the initial 30-60-90 days, the free version no longer automatically updates its antimalware library and no longer automatically scans. Users who want those features are expected to pay. It will scan and update the library on demand; if a user launces the app, it will ask if the user wants to go to the pay version, then the user can scan with the existing antimalware library, can update the library and then scan, can just update the library, or can just quit the app.

Other antimalware apps may have other business models. Contact the vendors, they will be happy to explain in detail why you should buy their product. As the current threat environment on Macs is such that antimalware is not necessary, my credit card stays in my pocket. YMMV.

 

[SoCalReviews]

Of course, I'm running Eset Cybersecurity Pro. I use to not have a Mac Antivirus but since I connect to corporate networks and etc... Not using an antivirus puts me liability for damages that I can't afford to pay. Backups can get Infected with viruses too so I just can't afford to take the chance/risk of not using an antivirus based on since I haven't had a Virus in so-so x-Months/Years and my information is valuable I'll cry if I get ransomware on my Mac.

You made some good points... Many businesses, government contractors, system admin contractors and most corporations require that computers connected to their network(s) MUST have AV/security software. In other words not having AV/Security software is NOT an option and usually they want the same name brand of centrally managed security software for all Windows and Mac machines to be installed. The security software is installed on ALL computers to provide threat protection for all machines on their network regardless of the OS.

This is the reason that many of the larger internet providers provide a full version of security software with versions for Windows and Mac machines at no cost as part of their package for their business customers. That security software is usually managed by the network administrator or whoever is managing the system security.

The fact that there are Mac forum users who claim to know what they are talking about... who are trying to tell everyone in this forum that you NEVER need to use AV/Security software on a Mac for any reason... tells you all you need to know about their level of knowledge (or lack thereof) in regards to Mac and PC applications in the real world.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I use common sense.

Does that count as malware?





Companies which make anti malware products are preying on users' ignorance, and their favorite tactic is scare mongering. What they won't tell you is that they cannot protect you against anything that is not months old already, and by that time, the malware is already well known, and is not a threat to any informed and wary user anymore.


For reference, see "Flashback malware". It went undetected for many many months, and all of the anti malware companies were clueless about its existence.

Common sense and the internet are frowned upon when mixed together.

 

[Martyimac]

Common sense and the internet are frowned upon when mixed together.

And common sense is on the critically endangered species list.

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

You made some good points... Many businesses, government contractors, system admin contractors and most corporations require that computers connected to their network(s) MUST have AV/security software. In other words not having AV/Security software is NOT an option and usually they want the same name brand of centrally managed security software for all Windows and Mac machines to be installed. The security software is installed on ALL computers to provide threat protection for all machines on their network regardless of the OS.

This is the reason that many of the larger internet providers provide a full version of security software with versions for Windows and Mac machines at no cost as part of their package for their business customers. That security software is usually managed by the network administrator or whoever is managing the system security.

The fact that there are Mac forum users who claim to know what they are talking about... who are trying to tell everyone in this forum that you NEVER need to use AV/Security software on a Mac for any reason... tells you all you need to know about their level of knowledge (or lack thereof) in regards to Mac and PC applications in the real world.

I evaluate those I work for. Anyone idiotic enough to require antimalware, and to further require specific brands, is to be avoided. I might install Sophos (it's free) long enough to connect and then uninstall it as soon as I'm done, but that's it. If Sophos isn't good enough then I don't work there. And anyone who makes me install Sophos just got a major surcharge on the bill.

Alternatively I use _their_ equipment, which would usually be Windows machines, fitted with _their_ software suites, including _their_ antimalware. My equipment doesn't touch their network. One idiot did try to insist that I install antimalware, despite my equipment not being on their network. I made it clear that this was not happening. I was told that I'd not be allowed to turn on my equipment. I packed up and left. At the gate the guard had a message: please stay. I went back in, turned my equipment on, did NOT connect to their net, did the job, got paid, left. The idiot sulked.

There is no real requirement for having antimalware installed on a Mac, not in the current threat environment. There used to be a requirement for Mac antimalware, but that time is more than 20 years past. There may be a time in the future when there is a requirement, but that time is not now. I have no problem with others wasting time, effort, and money on Mac antimalware. I will not be joining them until the threat environment requires it.

 

[GGJstudios]

The fact that there are Mac forum users who claim to know what they are talking about... who are trying to tell everyone in this forum that you NEVER need to use AV/Security software on a Mac for any reason... tells you all you need to know about their level of knowledge (or lack thereof) in regards to Mac and PC applications in the real world.

I haven’t seen anyone state that you never need antimalware software on a Mac for any reason; you just don’t need it to keep a Mac free of malware.

I agree with Panthera Tigris Altacia when it comes to companies who might want me to install such apps on my systems: it ain’t happening. Period. Any IT professional who is reasonably knowledgeable, up-to-date and experienced wouldn’t make such a requirement.

 

[SoCalReviews]

I evaluate those I work for. Anyone idiotic enough to require antimalware, and to further require specific brands, is to be avoided. I might install Sophos (it's free) long enough to connect and then uninstall it as soon as I'm done, but that's it. If Sophos isn't good enough then I don't work there. And anyone who makes me install Sophos just got a major surcharge on the bill.

Alternatively I use _their_ equipment, which would usually be Windows machines, fitted with _their_ software suites, including _their_ antimalware. My equipment doesn't touch their network. One idiot did try to insist that I install antimalware, despite my equipment not being on their network. I made it clear that this was not happening. I was told that I'd not be allowed to turn on my equipment. I packed up and left. At the gate the guard had a message: please stay. I went back in, turned my equipment on, did NOT connect to their net, did the job, got paid, left. The idiot sulked.

There is no real requirement for having antimalware installed on a Mac, not in the current threat environment. There used to be a requirement for Mac antimalware, but that time is more than 20 years past. There may be a time in the future when there is a requirement, but that time is not now. I have no problem with others wasting time, effort, and money on Mac antimalware. I will not be joining them until the threat environment requires it.

It's not a personal issue... but you don't know what you are talking about. It's required on many if not most secure corporate and business systems. I worked in the industry... not at that time as a systems admin but many of my friends and associates did. It's a huge liability issue and risk for the contracted administrator if they don't secure the computers on the network and any computers or devices that connect to the network.
[doublepost=1549788945][/doublepost]

I haven’t seen anyone state that you never need antimalware software on a Mac for any reason; you just don’t need it to keep a Mac free of malware.

I agree with Panthera Tigris Altacia when it comes to companies who might want me to install such apps on my systems: it ain’t happening. Period. Any IT professional who is reasonably knowledgeable, up-to-date and experienced wouldn’t make such a requirement.

The type of security software they use is not the same as the freeware or subscription software normally used by common users. It's specifically designed for the business and corporate environment. Sometimes the type of security software used is managed by a server within the network. Every the Windows based PC, Mac and and other systems often have that security software installed so that it can be managed centrally by the administrator. As a matter of fact on most of those systems that specific security software must be installed on a computer (PC, Mac, etc.) and be registered and authenticated by the server before it is allowed to connect to the network.

 

[Gregg2]

The horse is dead.

 

[GGJstudios]

The type of security software they use is not the same as the freeware or subscription software normally used by common users. It's specifically designed for the business and corporate environment. Sometimes the type of security software used is managed by a server within the network. Every the Windows based PC, Mac and and other systems often have that security software installed so that it can be managed centrally by the administrator. As a matter of fact on most of those systems that specific security software must be installed on a computer (PC, Mac, etc.) and be registered and authenticated by the server before it is allowed to connect to the network.

I fully understand how enterprise software and IT administration works, having been involved in the industry since its inception. The requirement by some companies for A/V software as a prerequisite for joining their network is not a technical requirement, but rather an IT policy, which can be overridden if they elect to do so.

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

I fully understand how enterprise software and IT administration works, having been involved in the industry since its inception. The requirement by some companies for A/V software as a prerequisite for joining their network is not a technical requirement, but rather an IT policy, which can be overridden if they elect to do so.

Which is what happened. Senior management wanted a particular job done. I could do it; their staff could not. To do it I needed tools on my system. I was not installing their required antimalware on my system (Symantec Endpoint, basically Norton for companies) and I was not joining their AD domain. I removed the target system from their AD domain, physically disconnected it from the rest of the network (I brought along my very own switch and router) and management overrode policy because getting the job done was more important than enforcing policy when there simply is no serious malware threat level for Macs. Enforcing an antimalware policy for Windows makes sense. Anyone in a corporate situation who doesn't have an antimalware policy for windows is begging for the trouble he will soon have. Enforcing an antimalware policy for Macs _as things stand today_ is idiocy. The current threat level does not justify it.

As I have pointed out, repeatedly, in this thread and elsewhere... if if anyone thinks that there is even _one_ Mac virus in the wild at this time, please produce the CVE listing for it. If anyone thinks that there has _ever_ been a virus in the wild for OS X, please produce the CVE listing for it. The vast majority of CVE-listed malware for Macs (and there aren't that many of them in total) are trojans or adware, none of which were relevant in the noted situation, and none of which will work on a Windows machine, and very few of which will be detected by Windows antimalware in the first place. In the extremely unlikely event that Windows malware was on a work Mac, it could not run under OS X and could not just jump across to a Windows system, especially a Windows machine which had Windows antimalware installed. Malware just doesn't work that way.

Now, if a company's management thinks that enforcing a stupid policy is more important than getting the job done, they can carry on. Without me. It might, one day, be prudent to require all Macs to install Symantec Endpoint or the equivalent from Microsoft or Trend Micro or whoever. That day is not yet here. Anyone who thinks it, please produce the CVE listings for the top 10 Mac malware threats and show why antimalware is required to deal with them. Please.

 

[SoCalReviews]

I fully understand how enterprise software and IT administration works, having been involved in the industry since its inception. The requirement by some companies for A/V software as a prerequisite for joining their network is not a technical requirement, but rather an IT policy, which can be overridden if they elect to do so.

That is correct. It's not a technical requirement but it is up to the systems administrator, contracted administrator, security systems analyst, IT professional, etc.. to make that decision and very often that decision is to run security software on all computers that are connected to the network.

Why would they do this? Because threats can invade a network of computers and servers that are on multiple platforms using different OS's. If a security threat... infection, virus, malware, etc.. gets onto one of the computers on the network it can attack other vulnerable computers. It's a different mindset in a business or corporate environment. The "Macs don't need security software" mantra doesn't fly when you're a systems admin managing hundreds of computers... Macs, Windows, etc.. and one infection from an outside source... a flash drive plugged in, an downloaded file, a bad web link session, etc.. That's a massive liability risk that professionals don't need to take.

I have been posting for several weeks on this exact same topic and yet the same self proclaimed Mac security experts keep holding their mantra about how Macs don't need or never need security software. That just is blatantly false and misleading. Especially after reading the multiple threads posted by common Mac users who are concerned about infections on their computers and networks. Some of those users either have infections or know people who have had infections on their Macs. If one of those users gets an infection after reading about how their Mac doesn't need security software you have pretty much lost their confidence in your forum advice forever.

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

That is correct. It's not a technical requirement but it is up to the systems administrator, contracted administrator, security systems analyst, etc.. to make that decision and very often that decision is to run security software on all computers that are connected to the network.

Why would they do this? Because threats can invade a network of computers and servers that are on multiple platforms using different OS's. If a security threat... infection, virus, malware, etc.. gets onto one of the computers on the network it can attack other vulnerable computers. It's a different mindset in a business or corporate environment. The "Macs don't need security software" mantra doesn't fly when you're a systems admin managing hundreds of computers... Macs, Windows, etc.. and one infection from an outside source... a flash drive plugged in, an downloaded file, a bad web link session, etc..

I have been posting for several weeks on this exact same topic and yet the self proclaimed Mac security experts keep holding their mantra about how Macs don't need or never need security software. That just is blatantly false and misleading. Especially considering the multiple threads posted by common users who are concerned about infections on their computers and networks. Some of those users either have infections or know people who have had infections on their Macs. If one of them gets an infection after reading about how their Mac doesn't need security software you have pretty much lost their confidence in your advice forever.

I notice a dearth of CVE listings in your reply. Where is the threat that you're defending against?

 

[SoCalReviews]

The horse is dead.

Not sure about that... but it is obvious that at least one horse has lost his voice.

 

[Panthera Tigris Altaica]

Not sure about that... but it is obvious that at least one horse has lost his voice.

Not only is the horse dead, there's a pit where its body used to be, and it's getting deeper. Fortunately there are plenty of FUD-spreaders who can be used to fill the hole up.

 

[GGJstudios]

... the same self proclaimed Mac security experts keep holding their mantra about how Macs don't need or never need security software. That just is blatantly false and misleading. Especially after reading the multiple threads posted by common Mac users who are concerned about infections on their computers and networks. Some of those users either have infections or know people who have had infections on their Macs. If one of those users gets an infection after reading about how their Mac doesn't need security software you have pretty much lost their confidence in your forum advice forever.

Antivirus/anti-malware software is not required to keep a Mac malware-free, if the user practices safe computing. Period. I never used such software, other than to test it for forum responses, and have never had any form of malware on any of the Macs I and my companies have owned over the past 11 years. My experience is similar to the vast majority of Mac users in the world. Again, you do not need any anti-malware apps running on a Mac to protect against malware infections, as long as the user practices safe computing. Anyone who has an infected Mac did not practice safe computing, whether or not they have anti-malware software running.

 

[SoCalReviews]

I notice a dearth of CVE listings in your reply. Where is the threat that you're defending against?

CVEs are not my concern because it wasn't my job. I'm not a professional security expert nor did I ever claim to be. I can tell you this much. If I was going I hire a (corporate level) security expert to protect my valuable network of computers and the data on them... any so called expert who says "Macs don't need security software" because "Macs rarely get infections" wouldn't be hired by me... no way.

Again we are talking security expertise in the corporate environment... not personal or small business environment which from the way you and others are talking is the perspective you seem to be portraying.

 

[GGJstudios]

I'm not a professional security expert ...

This much is clear.

 

[SoCalReviews]

This much is clear.

It's clear because I've stated it multiple times in multiple threads that I used to work in the industry but I wasn't a corporate security systems analyst, admin, etc.. Those were friends and associates of mine. Working in the industry is not my current profession. When I did work in the industry... I did tech support and sales in the corporate and business environment ... but not specifically as a specific security analyst in the corporate environment. I only state the truth from my experience and knowledge... unlike so many self proclaimed experts on here pretending to know what they are talking about.

 

[GGJstudios]

It's clear because I've stated it multiple times in multiple threads. I only state the truth... unlike so many self proclaimed experts on here pretending to know what they talking about.

This is not truth:

I have been posting for several weeks on this exact same topic and yet the same self proclaimed Mac security experts keep holding their mantra about how Macs don't need or never need security software. That just is blatantly false and misleading.

It is not false and misleading to say that Macs don't need anti-malware software to remain malware free. I invite you to prove otherwise, if you can.

 

[SoCalReviews]

This is not truth:

It is not false and misleading to say that Macs don't need anti-malware software to remain malware free. I invite you to prove otherwise, if you can.

You could say the same about modern Windows computers as well. It's not much of a statement to make. Why don't you prove to me that it safer not to use security software on a Mac or Windows machine. Until you can prove that I would say that you are the one who is misleading.

 

[Ploki]

You could say the same about modern Windows computers as well. It's not much of a statement to make. Why don't you prove to me that it safer not to use security software on a Mac or Windows machine.

i've yet to see a malware as violent as windows malware is. There's been an odd trojan or two that didn't require admin password, but otherwise... most are down to user mistake. It's also targeted much less than windows.

 

[SoCalReviews]

Antivirus/anti-malware software is not required to keep a Mac malware-free, if the user practices safe computing. Period. I never used such software, other than to test it for forum responses, and have never had any form of malware on any of the Macs I and my companies have owned over the past 11 years. My experience is similar to the vast majority of Mac users in the world. Again, you do not need any anti-malware apps running on a Mac to protect against malware infections, as long as the user practices safe computing. Anyone who has an infected Mac did not practice safe computing, whether or not they have anti-malware software running.

Why don't you try to explain your opinion about Macs not getting malware to this Mac user then... https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cant-get-rid-of-beeaware-malware.2168294/

Good luck.
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i've yet to see a malware as violent as windows malware is. There's been an odd trojan or two that didn't require admin password, but otherwise... most are down to user mistake. It's also targeted much less than windows.

That's one of the reasons I currently use Macs. I like to run Windows in their own VMs with their own security software as well.

 

[Ploki]

Why don't you try to explain your opinion about Macs never getting malware to this Mac user then... https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cant-get-rid-of-beeaware-malware.2168294/
well.

But this has to be installed manually no?
It's like running rm -rf because someone on the internet said so and then complaining mac is not user friendly.

that said, i didn't have antivirus software or viruses on windows XP either. (last windows version i used extensively)

 

[GGJstudios]

Why don't you prove to me that it safer not to use security software on a Mac or Windows machine. Until you can prove that I would say that you are the one who is misleading.

Antivirus apps such as Sophos that run with elevated privileges create a vulnerability that can be exploited through the app itself. At least one compromised antivirus app has already been used to introduce malware on Macs, which could have been avoided if the app was not installed. So I'm guessing by your response that you can't prove that Macs need anti-malware software to remain malware free.

Why don't you try to explain your opinion about Macs not getting malware to this Mac user then... https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cant-get-rid-of-beeaware-malware.2168294/

BeeAware is adware that can be avoided by simply not installing it. You don't need anti-malware apps to protect against it.

 

[SoCalReviews]

But this has to be installed manually no?
It's like running rm -rf because someone on the internet said so and then complaining mac is not user friendly.

that said, i didn't have antivirus software or viruses on windows XP either. (last windows version i used extensively)

The infection reported by the Mac user in that link appears to be a browser infection but I really don't know what its method of infection was. If you do a search for that infection it is reported that Malwarebytes can detect it. There is a good chance other Mac security software could have detected and blocked it as well.