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So, my University now requires I have antivirus on my MacBook

mgartner0622

mgartner0622

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 6, 2010
1,018
0
Colorado, USA
This year, there's a new rule implemented that in order to use Wifi, one must have Antivirus installed to protect the University's files, even on a Mac.
Truth be told, I absolutely cannot stand antivirus, and have never used one on any of my personal computers, even Windows. My opinion is that they vastly slow down the machine, especially at startup. Currently I'm using Sophos, as the university recommended/forced, but I added the whole hard drive of my computer to the list of exceptions for virus search.
Is there any better alternatives?
 
mgartner0622 said:
This year, there's a new rule implemented that in order to use Wifi, one must have Antivirus installed to protect the University's files, even on a Mac.
Truth be told, I absolutely cannot stand antivirus. Currently I'm using Sophos, as the university recommended/forced, but I added the whole hard drive of my computer to the list of exceptions for virus search.
Is there any better alternatives?
Click to expand...
I recommend that you avoid using Sophos, as it could actually increase your Mac's vulnerability, as described here and here.

If you're required to run antivirus, ClamXav (which is free) is one of the best choices, since it isn't a resource hog, detects both Mac and Windows malware and doesn't run with elevated privileges. You can run scans when you choose, rather than leaving it running all the time, slowing your system.

Mac Virus/Malware FAQ
 
Thank you GGJstudios, that sounds better already.
My home internet subscription comes with free norton as well, but between Sophos, Norton, or McAffe, my personal opinion is they're all terrible in terms of hogging resources. This seems like a much better solution.
 
Just another vote for Clamav...It's free, is updated daily, and if your University insists you have an AV package it won't cost you anything....I guess academic institutions are all pretty much the same...They are probably mostly Windos based I;m guessing?
 
Macman45 said:
Just another vote for Clamav...It's free, is updated daily, and if your University insists you have an AV package it won't cost you anything....I guess academic institutions are all pretty much the same...They are probably mostly Windos based I;m guessing?
Click to expand...

Yup. Although with most of the students that run Windows machines and download "questionable" content, I can't really blame them.
 
Another vote for how can they tell? My university technically has this requirement, but nobody I know bothers.
 
Wait,viruses on mac?! wtf ? Is it possible to infect system even if i not run some suspicious files or attachements?! By that i mean if i visit some web page with safari ?
 
Ugh, anti-virus...been a mac user for almost 20 years and I've never used an anti-virus. No problems at all.
 
mgartner0622 said:
Thank you GGJstudios, that sounds better already.
My home internet subscription comes with free norton as well, but between Sophos, Norton, or McAffe, my personal opinion is they're all terrible in terms of hogging resources. This seems like a much better solution.
Click to expand...

Avoid Norton like the plague. I've had to deal with it on Windows and it really is awful. I had to remove it from a friend's peecee running Vista and by the time it had finished I was ready to throw it against the wall.
 
raymondso said:
How does the university know your computer is secured by antivirus software? :confused:
Click to expand...

My old university started it right before I left. Basically Cisco came up with a tool that forces a system check before you can get logged into the required Wifi VPN. Also enforces updates and Java version. Pretty much the largest PITA on the planet.
 
mgartner0622 said:
This year, there's a new rule implemented that in order to use Wifi, one must have Antivirus installed to protect the University's files, even on a Mac.
Truth be told, I absolutely cannot stand antivirus, and have never used one on any of my personal computers, even Windows. My opinion is that they vastly slow down the machine, especially at startup. Currently I'm using Sophos, as the university recommended/forced, but I added the whole hard drive of my computer to the list of exceptions for virus search.
Is there any better alternatives?
Click to expand...

You can always use AVG it is free anti-virus program one of the best for windows....
 
My university required you to download and run something called a 'dissolvable agent' that checked you had the latest updates and antivirus. You could install the antivirus, run the check (and pass it), and it would then let you access the networks even if you removed the AV.
 
A7ibaba said:
Wait,viruses on mac?! wtf ? Is it possible to infect system even if i not run some suspicious files or attachements?! By that i mean if i visit some web page with safari ?
Click to expand...
There are no Mac OS X viruses in the wild, and only a few trojans, which can be avoided by practicing safe computing. Read the Mac Virus/Malware FAQ link in the 2nd post of this thread for details.
 
borisiii said:
My university required you to download and run something called a 'dissolvable agent' that checked you had the latest updates and antivirus. You could install the antivirus, run the check (and pass it), and it would then let you access the networks even if you removed the AV.
Click to expand...

That's what mine uses. However I already tried uninstalling and it doesn't work. ClamXav seems to solve my problems.
 
Just don't do it. My University requires antivirus software too, but I haven't used it for the last 2 years to no ill effects. They won't tell me to waste processor cycles and battery on a useless piece of software running in the background on my machine. It's their right to not allow me to use the wifi as a result, but I challenge them to catch me. On Macs, not being a fool about what you click and enter your password into is the best antivirus solution.
Kind of like the ugly 6 x 6 inch sticker they force people who register their computers to put right on the lid of your machine. No thanks!

Edit: it seems like your school might be more uptight about it than mine. As far as I know, they don't check if you actually have it at my school.
 
At my college, they install a client on your computer that will only let you connect to the internet (WiFi or ethernet) if you have sophos installed. It is a real pain and acts up frequently, but there is nothing you can do about it. If sophos isn't installed, it cuts off your access to the internet.
 
mgartner0622 said:
This year, there's a new rule implemented that in order to use Wifi, one must have Antivirus installed to protect the University's files, even on a Mac.
Truth be told, I absolutely cannot stand antivirus, and have never used one on any of my personal computers, even Windows. My opinion is that they vastly slow down the machine, especially at startup. Currently I'm using Sophos, as the university recommended/forced, but I added the whole hard drive of my computer to the list of exceptions for virus search.
Is there any better alternatives?
Click to expand...

Wait, I noticed that it says you live in Colorado. I go to CU. What about you? CSU? UNC? feel free to PM me if you care to reply but don't want to make it public.
 
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