Security and safety question...

[kimcicle]

Hello guys,
Just have a general/mac101 question.
I am not totally sure if this is a proper board to start a thread on this topic, but curious, with respect to downloading files from torrent websites, how safe is Mac OSX?
I mean I understand that Macs don't usually have problems with viruses and so on, but I was curious if it is okay to expose my mac thru torrents?
and How do you guys prevent possible danger of downloading stuff thru torrents?

 

[angelwatt]

You're better off downloading apps through legit manners. You can use iAntivirus to scan your downloads for potential trojans, but there's no viruses on Mac to worry about.

 

[Tower-Union]

To the best of my knowledge there's only been one major trojan that was disseminated over torrents, I believe it was an iLife pack? Either way if there's going to be another outbreak, it will most likely be shared over some kind of major commercial software torrent (and I'm sure you would never download anything like that ) If your downloading other legal items you don't need to worry about an "attack" or anything like that happening simply because your running torrents.

 

[ppc750fx]

You're better off downloading apps through legit manners. You can use iAntivirus to scan your downloads for potential trojans, but there's no viruses on Mac to worry about.

iAntivirus offers a false sense of security more than anything else. The majority of threats it protects against aren't actually threats.

To the OP: don't download software from any illicit sources and you won't have a problem.

 

[angelwatt]

iAntivirus offers a false sense of security more than anything else. The majority of threats it protects against aren't actually threats.

Have any sources to back that up with?

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

Have any sources to back that up with?

If you look at their threat list, you'll see about 20 penetration testing apps there. I've emailed them about it, and their customer rep obviously did not know what he was talking about.

OP:

Wait a few days before downloading an OS X software torrent to see if you hear of a new trojan. Mac AV software should pick up any known trojans. You can also look through the installer package for surprises.