Virus Protection On A MBP?

[LucasBoy]

hey guys, i got my macbook pro a few days ago and i'm enjoying it. the only concern i have is that it might get a virus and and i don't want to put 1.5k of US dollars to waste just like that. i always thought a mac could never get a virus so thats why i bought it but i read that there is a chance that getting a virus might happen. so i am wonder should i pay for a virus protection or does it already come with a virus protector and i don't have to worry?

 

[midgetsanchez]

1.5k dollars to waste? What are you talking about? It's impossible for a virus to physically kill a computer. Worst case scenario is you'd have to reformat your hard drive and start clean.

Anyway, it's to my understanding that virus protection in OSX isn't necessary, simply due to the lack of viruses targeting OSX. Compared to Windows, not many exist for OSX so you'll be completely fine. If you have an external drive it's a good idea to turn on time machine and backup your system frequently and you'll be fine in case something ever happens though.

If for some reason you feel the need to use a scanner I think ClamXav is good(and free), but honestly it's unnecessary.

 

[airplaneman]

You don't need virus protection per the reasons above. Just don't foolishly download untrusted files and you'll be good to go.

 

[LucasBoy]

thanks man

 

[u49aa2]

Even if you foolishly download untrusted files, YOU WILL NOT GET A VIRUS. Actually you can download FOOLISHLY as many untrusted files as you want. you only need to worry, when you download a file or a software that asks you for your password. Even in this case, the worse that can happens is that you will get a trojan NOT A VIRUS. This is why, when you own a mac, you can be as foolish as you want

 

[mrj412]

You know, viruses can be removed, the OS reinstalled, etc ... You don't have to throw away your computers if they get a virus.

 

[mcdj]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A341 Safari/528.16)

A virus that makes you have to buy a new computer? People never cease to amaze.

 

[Tallest Skil]

You know, viruses can be removed, the OS reinstalled, etc ... You don't have to throw away your computers if they get a virus.

But you shouldn't have to do that. Hence, OS X.

 

[LucasBoy]

i didn't mean buy a new computer i mean like making my mac slower every time and getting all my files and just having to go to apple for them to replace it
but one of you said i can get rid of a virus by using the disc to reinstall os x?
do that work ?

 

[asianjello]

i didn't mean buy a new computer i mean like making my mac slower every time and getting all my files and just having to go to apple for them to replace it
but one of you said i can get rid of a virus by using the disc to reinstall os x?
do that work ?

I use both Windows and OSX and I have yet to get a virus on either. Don't be careful about what you download and do on the Internet.

 

[LucasBoy]

how do you check on a macbook pro what version osX i have

 

[Tallest Skil]

i didn't mean buy a new computer i mean like making my mac slower every time and getting all my files and just having to go to apple for them to replace it
but one of you said i can get rid of a virus by using the disc to reinstall os x?
do that work ?

There are NO VIRUSES. You can't get ANY form of malware unless you're installing software that you downloaded illegally or from sites of a pornographic nature.

Stay away from those and you will not have to worry about trojans, much less viruses (which I believe are relatively impossible).

Go to the Apple Menu, About This Mac. That shows you your current OS. It'll be 10.5.x with the x being a number.

 

[LucasBoy]

alright thanks i don't do those anyways at least not on my mac. i use lime wire on my pc

but thanks people

 

[Tallest Skil]

alright thanks i don't do those anyways at least not on my mac. i use lime wire on my pc

but thanks people

LimeWire is for the 90s. We're almost in the 10s. That crap is absolutely worthless, you know. Times have changed; stealing is different now.

And LimeWire is probably THE single best way to get a virus anymore.

 

[LucasBoy]

they upgraded limewire and it seems to be cooler so that you don't download the virus files but i don't have it on my mac and don't plan to

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

You don't need virus protection per the reasons above. Just don't foolishly download untrusted files and you'll be good to go.

This applies to every OS.

Even if you foolishly download untrusted files, YOU WILL NOT GET A VIRUS. Actually you can download FOOLISHLY as many untrusted files as you want. you only need to worry, when you download a file or a software that asks you for your password. Even in this case, the worse that can happens is that you will get a trojan NOT A VIRUS. This is why, when you own a mac, you can be as foolish as you want

So trojans dont screw up your system? Last time i checked they did, so it is not ok to "be as foolish as you want" because a trojan, though not a virus, can still screw everything up pretty bad.

A virus and a trojan can have the same end result, just two different ways of compromising the security.

 

[Stinkfist69]

they upgraded limewire and it seems to be cooler so that you don't download the virus files but i don't have it on my mac and don't plan to

I would recommend getting Transmission for your Mac if you want to download files. It lets you download torrents and is super light on resources.

 

[LucasBoy]

I would recommend getting Transmission for your Mac if you want to download files. It lets you download torrents and is super light on resources.

well no i don't download much on my mac and i don't plan to

 

[stainlessliquid]

Ok people, Antivirus software protects against MORE than strictly a "virus." Spreading the whole "OS X doesnt have viruses" propaganda doesnt help anyone looking for protection against what they are actually talking about: trojans and malware. Antivirus software has VERY little to do with protecting people from viruses these days, since barely any viruses exist anymore, they are focused on detecting trojans and stopping their installation since they are by far the most popular way of infecting machines.

Even in this case, the worse that can happens is that you will get a trojan NOT A VIRUS.

Worse that can happen? Trojans are like skipping the first step of getting a virus and getting right to the "my computer is going nuts" part.

 

[u49aa2]

This applies to every OS.


So trojans dont screw up your system? Last time i checked they did, so it is not ok to "be as foolish as you want" because a trojan, though not a virus, can still screw everything up pretty bad.

A virus and a trojan can have the same end result, just two different ways of compromising the security.

They are very few trojan in the web for macs. And no they don't screw your computer independently and as bad as a virus does, they normally need a hacker outside to communicate with them. So without outside communication they are useless. However, viruses are the big deal, as they are independent parasite that will replicate and screw your system with no need for outside help. I would definitely prefer to have a trojan in my system, than a virus. Although, i agree they both can compromise your security in two different ways. But then, i think you have a much higher risk catching swine flue than your mac catching a trojan or a virus

 

[sammy2066]

All you need to do is this.

1) Open TextEdit
2) Type "virus protection"
3) Save file as "Virus Protection"
4) Sit back, relax and foolishly download untrusted files.



Sorry for the thread-jack. I had to say it.

 

[ss957916]

All you need to do is this.

1) Open TextEdit
2) Type "virus protection"
3) Save file as "Virus Protection"
4) Sit back, relax and foolishly download untrusted files.



Sorry for the thread-jack. I had to say it.

Why be such an unhelpful jerk?

 

[Kronie]

Virus or trojan, the ONLY way your mac will get infected as of today is to install it and type in your admin password. Trojans are installed in pirated copies of various software and as soon as there is a new trojan, we all hear about it.

If you don't download and install certain pirated software, (i life 09 and PS CS4 comes to mind) you really don't have anything to worry about.

 

[sammy2066]

Why be such an unhelpful jerk?

I wasn't trying to be a jerk. I just wanted to say most Mac users don't need virus protection because the platform is secure and relatively unpopular amongst virus makers.

I read the whole thread, most people have already said this. So I guessed a little joke might not be bad.

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

They are very few trojan in the web for macs. And no they don't screw your computer independently and as bad as a virus does, they normally need a hacker outside to communicate with them. So without outside communication they are useless. However, viruses are the big deal, as they are independent parasite that will replicate and screw your system with no need for outside help. I would definitely prefer to have a trojan in my system, than a virus. Although, i agree they both can compromise your security in two different ways. But then, i think you have a much higher risk catching swine flue than your mac catching a trojan or a virus

I dont think you quite understand how malware works. Viruses and trojans generally do the exact same thing once they are on your computer, the name only distinguishes the delivery mechanism. Viruses exploit a security hole while trojans exploit the stupidity of the user. Both can install the same malware, and both can cause the same level of destruction.
Even if trojans are less dangerous for some odd reason, once it gets a hold of your password it can connect to a remote sever and download any amount of malware it wants and osx wont stop it because it has your password.