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On Safety when browsing the Internet with a Mac

D

doxavita

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 6, 2010
614
3
Am I just as safe when browsing the internet with a Mac than say a Windows PC with the best possible Antivirus, Firewall, Spyware/Malware blockers/filters? Are Macs even safer?

Macs barely have any protection of that sort, except for a very simple built-in firewall.
I understand malware/viruses are made for Windows. So can I browse the Internet with a Mac with complete peace of mind? (Not visiting restricted sites, but your everyday browsing, like visiting sites I may not have heard of before like google search engine results, etc...)

All I know so far is not to install any plug-ins as it may lead to installing a trojan, as well as avoiding downloads from unconfirmed sources.

Some Precautions I have taken: I browse with Firefox with the NoScript and AdBlock Plus plug-ins installed, so I whitelist only those sites I trust.
Also already enabled the OS X built in firewall.

What are your thoughts? I'm thinking of buying another Mac for internet browsing. But I want to be sure I'll be completely safe.

And finally on a side note: Can a tracking(malicious) cookie steal info from a good cookie (one containing important data)?

Thanks!
 
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There has never been a virus in the wild that affects Mac OS X since it was released 10 years ago. The handful of trojans that exist can be easily avoided with some education and common sense and care in what software you install:
doxavita said:
So can I browse the Internet with a Mac with complete peace of mind? (Not visiting restricted sites, but your everyday browsing, like visiting sites I may not have heard of before like google search engine results, etc...)
Click to expand...
Yes. Just uncheck "Enable Java" and "Open "Safe" files after downloading" in Safari Preferences. Use ClickToFlash plugin or ClickToFlash extension to reduce Flash demands on your system.
doxavita said:
And finally on a side note: Can a tracking(malicious) cookie steal info from a good cookie (one containing important data)?
Click to expand...
Cookies can't steal anything. They are not executable files. They're basically text files.
 
So other than avoiding giving my password (thus installing something unwanted), am I 100% safe with a Mac?

Please elaborate a bit more :)
 
doxavita said:
So other than avoiding giving my password (thus installing something unwanted), am I 100% safe with a Mac?
Click to expand...
There's no such thing as 100% safe. An airliner could crash into your house while you're browsing the web.
doxavita said:
Please elaborate a bit more :)
Click to expand...
There's nothing more to elaborate. Read the Virus/Malware link I posted. It explains everything. If you want more information, read a few of the dozens of virus/malware threads that have been posted.
 
doxavita said:
So other than avoiding giving my password (thus installing something unwanted), am I 100% safe with a Mac?

Please elaborate a bit more :)
Click to expand...

As long as you use common sense when downloading files, you are not going to have an issue.
 
On the Windows (PC) side of things, it's quiet nasty already, so many viruses, malware, phishing, clever exploits, it never ends. (and many more discovered each day)

But if you're telling me it's still safe on the Mac side, then I'll trust you guys.
 
doxavita said:
On the Windows (PC) side of things, it's quiet nasty already, so many viruses, malware, phishing, clever exploits, it never ends. (and many more discovered each day)

But if you're telling me it's still safe on the Mac side, then I'll trust you guys.
Click to expand...
Read the link I posted, which I also posted in a thread you started 9 months ago. If you read it this time, you'll have your questions answered.
 
Yep, read it :) , Already had the link in my bookmarks, must have forgotten about it :eek:

Firefox plug-ins also ask for an admin password when installing? (just like safari?)
 
I learned from this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1148977/

That if I'm running an Admin account, Firefox won't really ask for an admin password when trying to install any plug-ins.
Could this compromise my safety?
Again, common sense browsing is best, but is this an important security step that is being skipped/avoided?
Other than the password step (for plug-ins) and caution with dowloaded files, there's really nothing else to worry about I believe.
 
doxavita said:
I learned from this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1148977/

That if I'm running an Admin account, Firefox won't really ask for an admin password when trying to install any plug-ins.
Could this compromise my safety?
Again, common sense browsing is best, but is this an important security step that is being skipped/avoided?
Other than the password step (for plug-ins) and caution with dowloaded files, there's really nothing else to worry about I believe.
Click to expand...
You appear to be bringing up the same worries in multiple threads, which isn't necessary. As long as you're not downloading and installing software that didn't come from a reputable source, your chances of ever encountering malware of any kind on Mac OS X is extremely remote. There are only a handful of trojans out there. Just think carefully before you install any software, get the software from recognized sources, and don't enter your admin password without thinking. Then just relax and enjoy your Mac and stop worrying. Most Mac users never see any malware. Re-read the first post I made in this thread, as well as the link I posted. That's all you need to know.
 
GGJstudios said:
and don't enter your admin password without thinking.
Click to expand...

That's my point, there might not be a password prompt at all. (with an admin account).

But like you suggested I'm not going to worry too much about it. I assume if some bad malware was discovered, Apple would swiftly address it via a Software Update...
 
doxavita said:
That's my point, there might not be a password prompt at all. (with an admin account).
Click to expand...
If there's no password prompt, you don't have to worry. It doesn't matter if you're on a standard or admin account.
doxavita said:
I assume if some bad malware was discovered, Apple would swiftly address it via a Software Update...
Click to expand...
If a real threat were encountered, we would be posting exact steps to avoid it. Until then, relax.
 
So besides sites that try to install plug-ins or have downloaded files. Pretty much everything that's left in the internet does not pose any sort of security threat, right? yesterday I went to www.com, and even clicked their login icon, got kind of worried, lol, let me know what you think.
 
doxavita said:
So besides sites that try to install plug-ins or have downloaded files. Pretty much everything that's left in the internet does not pose any sort of security threat, right? yesterday I went to www.com, and even clicked their login icon, got kind of worried, lol, let me know what you think.
Click to expand...
Why would you get worried? It's simply a login to a website. There's zero threat there.
 
GGJstudios said:
Why would you get worried? It's simply a login to a website. There's zero threat there.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right GGJstudios. I guess coming from a Windows PC, I'm kind of paranoid already regarding malware. But yes, I did read that link you gave me. Guess I should read more on security.
 
doxavita said:
You're absolutely right GGJstudios. I guess coming from a Windows PC, I'm kind of paranoid already regarding malware. But yes, I did read that link you gave me. Guess I should read more on security.
Click to expand...
There's no reason for being paranoid. As long as you don't download and install software from an untrusted source, you're fine.
 
GGJstudios said:
There's no reason for being paranoid. As long as you don't download and install software from an untrusted source, you're fine.
Click to expand...

Yes, Apple was really smart when designing their OS X (security wise), let's see how this changes over this upcoming years.

So already more than 95% of the internet should be safe then?, what do you think?
 
doxavita said:
Software offered from sites like this CNET Mac Section: http://download.cnet.com/mac/

Is it all legit? thoughts?
Click to expand...
Yes, legit. From their site: Security, privacy, and control
We test all software products submitted to us against a comprehensive set of criteria. In addition to screening for common viruses and spyware, we also look for other threats that might interfere with our users' security, privacy, and control. We consider publisher Web sites, publisher conduct, and our own experience with a particular product.

Viruses, spyware, and malware
We will not list software that contains viruses, Trojan horses, malicious adware, spyware, or other potentially harmful components. We will not list products known to contain such items in instances outside CNET Downloads, and we may disallow products from publishers our editors feel violate the spirit of this policy.

The following are types of software we will not accept:

  • Software that installs viruses, Trojan horses, malicious adware, spyware, or other malware at any point during or after installation.
  • Software that installs the above items via links to other software or Web sites.
  • Links on publishers' Web sites that may enable the installation of the above items.
  • Software that installs without notice and the user's consent.
  • Software that serves intrusive advertisements through a Web browser, a pop-up window, or Web sites outside the software's primary interface.
  • Software that includes or uses surreptitious data collection.
  • Software that collects and transmits information about end users or end users' computer usage without adequate prior notification.
  • Software that diverts or modifies end users' default browsers, search-engine home pages, providers, security, or privacy-protection settings.
  • Software that interferes with users' control and privacy.
Click to expand...
If you have concerns about any particular app, simply use Google to search for the app by name in this forum to see what others have been saying about it.
 
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