Mac OS X - Virus resistant?

[funkfunkitup!]

I've heard many people state that Macs are resistant to viruses and spyware. But then why is there anti-virus software for Mac OS X?

What do you guys think, is Mac OS X resistant to viruses and spyware?

 

[lostngone]

I've heard many people state that Macs are resistant to viruses and spyware. But then why is there anti-virus software for Mac OS X?

What do you guys think, is Mac OS X resistant to viruses and spyware?

It is simple.

Because people will buy it.

 

[JG271]

My non-techy opinion is that they are not resistant to viruses, but more that viruses aren't really made for osx because the amount of users is relatively small.

Anti-Virus exists for mac for the same reason it exists for PC: to make money. In my opinion, it isn't needed for either platform - it is down to the user to be careful in what they download and view in my opinion.

 

[Tallest Skil]

One word: UNIX. It is very secure.

To the two morons who voted "No, it is not resistant." TROJANS ARE NOT VIRUSES. THEY ARE NOT WHAT THIS POLL IS ABOUT. And the marketshare argument is a myth. There were viruses for Mac OS 9 and it had smaller marketshare than OS X ever had. Why aren't there any for OS X? Hmmm... UNIX.

Virus=Installs itself in the background without you knowing
Trojan=End-user must install it, thus it is always human error when you get a trojan

 

[armoguy94]

It's not resistant by any means. Apple has MUCH less of the market for computers, and that's another huge reason why Macs don't have any viruses (yet).

 

[Consultant]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/635248/

 

[PlaceofDis]

It's not resistant by any means. Apple has MUCH less of the market for computers, and that's another huge reason why Macs don't have any viruses (yet).

people have spouted this for years and years now. yet as pointed out above OS 9 had viruses and had a smaller marketshare. its a myth.

OS X is very stable, that doesn't mean that it is impervious.