Having just switched from windows, i feel a little uneasy about not having any anti-virus software, i was wondering how many of you have or don't have it even though OS X is meant to be virus free?
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How many of you run anti-virus software?
- Thread starter muldul
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I had virus protection once because I needed it to get on to the school's internet. As soon as possible I got rid of it. 
I had virus protection once because I needed it to get on to the school's internet. As soon as possible I got rid of it.
Typically that is the only reason you will find it on a Mac, unless it is a new switcher who can't let go
The only real issue is passing along something to a Windows user, and even that is minimal if you are paying attention
Woof, Woof - Dawg
Not here. I think AVP should stand for Aliens Versus Predators, not Anti Virus Protection.
Should I rent AVP2?
The only time you really need it, is if your downloading material, and will be passing them on to Windows users. Its more a courtesy to other users. Its like washing your hands after you sneeze on them, but before you shake hands with another person. Your not doing this for your safety, your doing to so you do not compromise another's machine with a virus you passed along.
ClamAV is great for this. Just bring it up, update the definitions, and scan that one file.
ClamAV is great for this. Just bring it up, update the definitions, and scan that one file.
Just be cautious about what you give your admin password to for installs, and you'll be alright. Unlike Windows, which has a user SYSTEM which is above ADMIN, and can be infected, OSX can't mess with your main system files until YOU permit it. Be aware, and enjoy it.
You absolutely don't need any virus protection, on your mac.
Most of the programs like the one Norton markets, for the mac. Will do more harm than good to your system.
If by chance you do download a file or program, that does have a secrete surprise. Don't worry, about sharing it with windows users. As their anti virus program will pick up on it.
Most of the programs like the one Norton markets, for the mac. Will do more harm than good to your system.
If by chance you do download a file or program, that does have a secrete surprise. Don't worry, about sharing it with windows users. As their anti virus program will pick up on it.
I run virus software for several reasons:
1. I get the software free.
2. I deal with a lot of downloaded files.
3. I boot into windows periodically, and don't want anything to bleed over.
4. Most other computers I communicate with are windows boxes and you don't know where they have been.
5. Did I mention it is free?
1. I get the software free.
2. I deal with a lot of downloaded files.
3. I boot into windows periodically, and don't want anything to bleed over.
4. Most other computers I communicate with are windows boxes and you don't know where they have been.
5. Did I mention it is free?
I run virus software for several reasons:
1. I get the software free.
2. I deal with a lot of downloaded files.
3. I boot into windows periodically, and don't want anything to bleed over.
4. Most other computers I communicate with are windows boxes and you don't know where they have been.
5. Did I mention it is free?
1. It's not free as it wastes your computer's resources.
2. So what? Just don't give any shady files your admin password.
3. yeah... that doesn't happen you can't write to a bootcamp partition from OSX, but nice try.
4. That in no way should matter to you, unless you're worried you will give them a virus.
the only time you need antivirus on a Mac is when you boot it into Windows.
That's what's great about Clam XAV, it only runs when you want it to, so it doesn't waste any resources.
It does not waste resources since I control when it is running.
What do you mean you can not write to a bootcamp partition? I can read and write to mine. My windows hd is a mounted disk at all times just like my macintosh hd.
edit: I run parallels, but it boots from a bootcamp partition. Either way it is still a mounted drive at all times.
It does not waste resources since I control when it is running.
What do you mean you can not write to a bootcamp partition? I can read and write to mine. My windows hd is a mounted disk at all times just like my macintosh hd.
edit: I run parallels, but it boots from a bootcamp partition. Either way it is still a mounted drive at all times.
oh I forgot about XP running on FAT32. I assume that's what you have your Windows partition formatted to.
For some reason when I read your post I assumed you were running some always running antivirus (like on windows), Not Clam X AV, which I'm sure can be useful in a Windows environment.