Security

[Mavman]

So my folks just bought me a new MacBook Air. Not from Apple store as it came with:

Total Defense internet security

This isn’t needed on a Mac is it?

 

[HDFan]

This is a controversial question. There are a lot of people who state that the Macs' built in security is enough. I use Sophos. Never heard of Total Defense.

 

[Mavman]

Thanks. I appreciate the input

 

[Natzoo]

I would do a clean install, who knows what else was downloaded on the device. Congrats on the new air, definitely a nice product.

If you want good security, download malware bytes. Apple support has recommended it to me in the past and it is really good (no need to pay for the premium, its just an auto feature).

 

[chabig]

If it came with preinstalled third-party software, I’d say it’s not a new machine Because someone tampered with it. The hardware should be good, though, so boot to recovery and do a clean install.

 

[Mavman]

It’s brand new and sealed. I haven’t even opened it yet. Lol

 

[chabig]

It may be sealed but it was opened and modified. Macs don’t ship with third party “security software”. My advice stands.

 

[Mavman]

Ok I should clarify. It came with the program and a sleeve as a bundle. Sorry. It’s not actually on the Mac it’s a digital code I can use to install it

 

[chabig]

Oh. That’s important. I’d just throw it away. I don’t understand why some people think that security can be done better by third parties than by the experts who developed the system.

 

[DeltaMac]

I think you can purchase a new Apple MBPro, and likely a MBAir, at Aaron's rentals. That's certainly a company that would include that Total Defense internet security. They include it with all the computer brands that they sell. They include it for free, and it's worth that much, for sure. You may choose to say "thanks for the free stuff, but no thanks!"

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They aren't currently showing Apple products on their website, but I just had a customer about two months ago who had just bought a new iMac at Aaron's.
(Yeah, I know... Rental companies don't include anything for free, it adds to your cost/fun of rent-to-own scams (I mean - legitimate ways to purchase stuff, ending by paying way too much after the payments )

 

[Mavman]

Yea it’s weird. You can put it in your phones as well as laptops, iPads etc. I just won’t use it. I had a MacBook Air many many years ago and I never used malware software and everything was fine

 

[BigMcGuire]

I don't use Antivirus on my MacBook. I do use Safari, I do use AdGuard Pro, and I do use Objective-See's security observation tools. I am Security+ certified so I have at least a grasp on computer operations/security.

My windows desktop? Yeah, Eset Nod32 and AdGuard Pro.

Safe browsing goes a very long way as well.

 

[chabig]

I think you can purchase a new Apple MBPro, and likely a MBAir, at Aaron's rentals. That's certainly a company that would include that Total Defense internet security. They include it with all the computer brands that they sell.

And the reason they include is because Total Internet Security pays them to include it.