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What is a the best free Antivirus out there?
- Thread starter iSurfHi
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techfreak85
macrumors 68040
Why?!? Macs don't have any viruses, so the only thing any anti-virus software achieves is to take up some hard drive space, take up some RAM, and slightly slow the computer down ... it's a complete waste of time, other than you being able to tell a Windows use that the email they just sent you has a virus (assuming the software even recognises it, which from my experience even the Windows anti-virus software doesn't recognise or stop much of it anyway).
miles01110
macrumors Core
Serif
macrumors regular
Seconded. Just keep up to date with Software Update and you shouldn't have any issues. There are reputable Anti-Virus products for Macs, but they tend to be aimed at servers supporting Windows clients where it's sensible to scan mail and the file store for viruses targeting Windows. The leading open source AV software is ClamAV, but if you're just running a Mac client then this isn't for you.
+1 for clamxav.
@techfreak85 - Just because your odds of catching any mac-specific viruses are minimal doesn't mean you cant re-distribute windows viruses through emails etc.
You can set up Clamxav to monitor certain folders, such as your downloads folder or the folder that email attachments go to, and it will alert you if anything abnormal is found.
You can also install the plugin which means you can right click on any file, and select "scan" (or whatever it says), and clamx will then scan that file. excellent program considering it's free in my opinion.
@techfreak85 - Just because your odds of catching any mac-specific viruses are minimal doesn't mean you cant re-distribute windows viruses through emails etc.
You can set up Clamxav to monitor certain folders, such as your downloads folder or the folder that email attachments go to, and it will alert you if anything abnormal is found.
You can also install the plugin which means you can right click on any file, and select "scan" (or whatever it says), and clamx will then scan that file. excellent program considering it's free in my opinion.
Serif
macrumors regular
I think what you're referring to is the threat described in this article?
The infection vectors are trojans, not viruses, typically spread through warez sites. The difference is that you have to go looking for the problem, and manually trigger it, rather than it coming to find you.
I'm genuinely interested though, what security product do you use that you believe will protect you from such threats?
The infection vectors are trojans, not viruses, typically spread through warez sites. The difference is that you have to go looking for the problem, and manually trigger it, rather than it coming to find you.
I'm genuinely interested though, what security product do you use that you believe will protect you from such threats?
Consultant
macrumors G5
Search next time. Hundreds of previous, identical threads, with identical answers, no virus on OS X:
Giz Explains: Why OS X Shrugs Off Viruses Better Than Windows
http://i.gizmodo.com/5101337/giz-explains-why-os-x-shrugs-off-viruses-better-than-windows
The Mac Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/01/29/the-mac-malware-myth/
The Unavoidable Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/...-apple-wont-inherit-microsofts-malware-crown/
Market Share Myth
http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/i...uter_virus_record_straig&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
How to check for Trojans
http://www.macworld.com/article/60823/2007/10/trojanhorse.html
Giz Explains: Why OS X Shrugs Off Viruses Better Than Windows
http://i.gizmodo.com/5101337/giz-explains-why-os-x-shrugs-off-viruses-better-than-windows
The Mac Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/01/29/the-mac-malware-myth/
The Unavoidable Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/...-apple-wont-inherit-microsofts-malware-crown/
Market Share Myth
http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/i...uter_virus_record_straig&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
How to check for Trojans
http://www.macworld.com/article/60823/2007/10/trojanhorse.html
dejo
Moderator emeritus
techfreak85
macrumors 68040
