I am very new to Mac OS x. I have had iphones and ipads, but never computers. I installed the webroot software that came with my laptop purchase at best buy. i did run a virus check. did i compromise the very tight security in the computer's software?
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imaccooper
macrumors 6502
No I don't think you compromised anything, but just out of curiosity what exactly did you install?
imaccooper
macrumors 6502
I doubt there was any need for it, but if it makes you feel better then it probably has not harmed the computer in any way.
Probably didn't/won't cause harm but if it was my computer I would get rid of it.
yeah, Im going to remove it tonight, ive heard that AV programs are unnecessary for macs
Exactly. They can only cause you trouble. Not on purpose but these things tend to be poorly programmed and bug ridden and they tend to just cause problems more than offer any benefit.
There are viruses. Just don't do stupid **** on any platform and you won't get them.
No, there aren't. Trojans, spyware, and malware, sure. Viruses, no.
You can avoid all problems by not changing OS X's default security settings, i.e., don't run software that's not signed.
Windows, you can get viruses even if you don't do stupid s***.
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z31fanatic
macrumors 6502a
No need to have system optimization software, or antivirus, or other silly third party software. Just be a smart user and you will be ok. Same goes for Windows and other OSes.
A computer is as safe as the nut behind the keyboard no matter what the operating system.
A computer is as safe as the nut behind the keyboard no matter what the operating system.
I wouldn't use system optimization software on Windows either but Windows definitely needs anti-virus software. There have been plenty of Windows viruses over the years that you can get just by connecting your computer to a network, nothing to do with being a smart or stupid user.
z31fanatic
macrumors 6502a
No you don't need antivirus for Windows. People who get viruses are careless users.
This is simply ignorant. There have been several vectors over the years that viruses and other malware have been distributed through that have nothing to do with how Windows is used. Sasser comes to mind.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasser_(computer_worm)
z31fanatic
macrumors 6502a
So back in the day, you did need antivirus to use Windows, but now you don't?
When did that switch flip?