Sophos continues to fetch virus definitions

[John Pedro]

Sophos continues to fetch virus definitions on a daily basis.

Does anybody else running Sophos have this experience?

I have read GGJstudios' posts which suggest that allowing Sophos on your computer is a lapse in security. Perhaps I can make myself useful, as an example of what *not* to do.


Thank you!

(G4 Quicksilver 2002, running OS 10.5.8, with Sophos 8.0)

 

[Intell]

Sophos is complete and utter garbage. I suggest removing it. But if you do want to keep it, having an anti-virus get definition updates on a daily basis is normal and wanted behavior.

 

[MatthewLTL]

I uninstalled Sophos 8.0 from my Macs early 2014 because of a notification that they would stop supporting and updating it on PowerPC.

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Sophos is complete and utter garbage. I suggest removing it. But if you do want to keep it, having an anti-virus get definition updates on a daily basis is normal and wanted behavior.

How is it garbage? It is the only Anti-Virus I can find for PowerPC that is even supported and updated atleast was

 

[archtopshop]

I use ClamXav. I have it set up in Sentry Mode to watch my home folder, and it automatically downloads its definitions daily. Seems to work ok. Version 2.5.1 is what I'm running.

EDIT: ClamXav Sentry has a different version number--2.7.4

 

[Intell]

How is it garbage? It is the only Anti-Virus I can find for PowerPC that is even supported and updated at least was

It was once used where I work. It hogs the internet connection, misses so many examples of malware, doesn't clean many things, rarely updates properly, and all around a resource hog. Ditch it. Anti-malware is not needed on a PowerPC Mac.

 

[GGJstudios]

How is it garbage? It is the only Anti-Virus I can find for PowerPC that is even supported and updated atleast was

I recommend avoiding Sophos, as it can actually increase a Mac's vulnerability, as described here and here.

Macs are not immune to malware, but no true viruses exist in the wild that can run on Mac OS X, and there never have been any since it was released over 12 years ago. The only malware in the wild that can affect Mac OS X is a handful of trojans, which can be easily avoided by practicing safe computing (see below). 3rd party antivirus apps are not necessary to keep a Mac malware-free, as long as a user practices safe computing, as described in the following link.

​

Read the What security steps should I take? section of the Mac Virus/Malware FAQ for tips on practicing safe computing.

 

[MysticCow]

I use ClamXav. I have it set up in Sentry Mode to watch my home folder, and it automatically downloads its definitions daily. Seems to work ok. Version 2.5.1 is what I'm running.

EDIT: ClamXav Sentry has a different version number--2.7.4

I love using ClamXAV so I second this. To be honest, though, it's never caught anything, but it's easy to use.

 

[IHelpId10t5]

I have read GGJstudios' posts which suggest that allowing Sophos on your computer is a lapse in security. Perhaps I can make myself useful, as an example of what *not* to do.

What not to to is ever install additional "in"security products on any Mac!

You Mac has many layers of integrated security that make any third-party security applications not only unnecessary, but very unadvisable. Any resident antivirus application on your Mac actually adds potentially vulnerabilities, system instability, and performance degradation that would not have been their in the first place.

User Linc Davis provides a great rundown of the security protections built into your Mac: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6624843

To keep you Mac free of malware is as simple as not being fooled into infection yourself by installing a trojan. That's it! There is currently not a single known way to infect a Mac other then a trojan that has been allowed to install by the end-user. Don't fall for all of the non-news stories that you see on the web that have been written by security companies that have a financial interest in scaring you into believing that you Mac is at risk so they can sell you a product that adds nothing to your security.

 

[MatthewLTL]

virus software on a PPC mac is even more pointless. Only intel macs are open to viruses the userbase for PPC Macs are too small and being that they are completely different platforms hackers dont bother with infectiong PowerPC Macs.

 

[MysticCow]

virus software on a PPC mac is even more pointless. Only intel macs are open to viruses the userbase for PPC Macs are too small and being that they are completely different platforms hackers dont bother with infectiong PowerPC Macs.

Unless it's a Java exploit (but why are you using Java at this point on PPC?). Or possibly a Flash exploit with a Universal payload (but why are you using Flash at this point on PPC?).

 

[MatthewLTL]

Unless it's a Java exploit (but why are you using Java at this point on PPC?). Or possibly a Flash exploit with a Universal payload (but why are you using Flash at this point on PPC?).

i have never used Java on any computer ever

 

[Intell]

i have never used Java on any computer ever

It's very likely that you have and not noticed it. It's much more common than you think.

 

[MatthewLTL]

It's very likely that you have and not noticed it. It's much more common than you think.

i meant installing java. i dont have iut installed on linux or windows. last time i used Java was when LimeWire was used

 

[Intell]

It comes preinstalled on all Mac up to Snow Leopard.

 

[MatthewLTL]

It comes preinstalled on all Mac up to Snow Leopard.

what programs use it though?

 

[Intell]

Malware is a common choice. Some versions of Minecraft do as well. There are a few parts of OS X that use it as well.

 

[MatthewLTL]

Malware is a common choice. Some versions of Minecraft do as well. There are a few parts of OS X that use it as well.

i dont understand the hoopla over mindcraft nor did i think it worked on PowerPC.

possible to uninstall java?

 

[Intell]

There are ways to remove it.

 

[MatthewLTL]

There are ways to remove it.

do tell

 

[poiihy]

i dont understand the hoopla over mindcraft nor did i think it worked on PowerPC.

possible to uninstall java?

Minecraft worked on PowerPC for a long time until 1.5.2.
Many applications use Java. Zipeg uses Java.
Removing the built-in Java is pointless and would cause more harm than good.

 

[Traverse]

I've seen articles where Sophos can actually increase your vulnerability. If you must use an AV, use a different one.

 

[Intell]

As poiihy stated, it's rather pointless to remove. If you really want to do it, use a search engine to locate instructions on how to do it.