Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

WillMak

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 29, 2005
957
0
I've always used free stuff to get rid of adware and spyware on my windows machine. What kidn of software should I get (or buy) for mac os x?
 
WillMak said:
I've always used free stuff to get rid of adware and spyware on my windows machine. What kidn of software should I get (or buy) for mac os x?

None whatosever. Macs do not have spyware, malware or adaware. None. Nadda. Zlich. Ever. Consider it one of the many, many benefits of owning a Mac. :cool:
 
They're trying to give you a false sense of insecurity, so that you buy their software. One day somebody will come up with an exploit, but we've been pretty safe for the last 5 years :)
 
Nermal said:
They're trying to give you a false sense of insecurity, so that you buy their software. One day somebody will come up with an exploit, but we've been pretty safe for the last 5 years :)

Yep, quite correct. Don't fall for these sales pitches - the same goes with antivirus software for your Mac. There has never been a virus on OS X. :cool:
 
Virus and spyware attachments are out there for our Mac's

I have a Mac Book and use leopard - I do have a virus somewhere in my mac...:eek: First my internet programs both Firefox and Safari froze up - then I found a free demo called MacScan - it took care of the freeze up - now when I go to certain websites - and I think it is just random - I get redirected to a search engine.. that my friends is a virus...on a mac....

I am going to look for the best program to remove these from my computer - not very cool - funny thing, when you go to Apple - there is nothing there I can find on virus protection - I think nobody wants to admit it finally happened...:(
 
might be a trojan. did you install a 'supposed' QuickTime codec? search around the forums to find an article on how to remove it. you dont need an app its very easy (thats if you have what i think).

seriously tho you just have to be smart. know what you download and what you give your password to. atm trojans can only be installed by the Installer which needs your password. normal applications that you just drag to your Applications folder wont hurt OS X.
 
I suspect that the poster is actually a bot or someone working for the company securemac.com. ;)
You could very well be right. It's very suspicious how so many of these "I've got a virus" posts are made by a newbie and it turns out to be their one and only post in the forum. Maybe Microsoft employees trying to make a crack in Mac's armor!
 
I have used Macs since the early 90s and have never had a virus...
....until yesterday

lpcloudsvr304-has crashed Safari and I cant figure out how to get it back as it remains in a perpetual cycle of diverts disabling all safaris controls-any advice????

(and I cant uninstall safari-and the available antivirus software isnt detecting it)
 
I have used Macs since the early 90s and have never had a virus...
....until yesterday

lpcloudsvr304-has crashed Safari and I cant figure out how to get it back as it remains in a perpetual cycle of diverts disabling all safaris controls-any advice????

(and I cant uninstall safari-and the available antivirus software isnt detecting it)
The antivirus isn't detecting it because it isn't a virus. 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.

Clear your browser's cache and cookies. If you haven't already done so, try changing your DNS servers on your Mac and your router to OpenDNS servers. This will show you how: Why am I being redirected to other sites?
 
I have used Macs since the early 90s and have never had a virus...
....until yesterday

lpcloudsvr304-has crashed Safari and I cant figure out how to get it back as it remains in a perpetual cycle of diverts disabling all safaris controls-any advice????

(and I cant uninstall safari-and the available antivirus software isnt detecting it)

Adware is rare enough on Mac that you may have to remove it manually. See

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3230
 
Is the banner add a coincidence? It might be spyware!
 

Attachments

  • Screen Shot 2014-02-17 at 5.57.44 PM.png
    Screen Shot 2014-02-17 at 5.57.44 PM.png
    255.2 KB · Views: 182
Spyware is more of a problem on newly-shipped Windows PCs, and of course Android mobiles which include tons of bundled junk. Spyware adware and advertising-ware is one of the reasons why Google makes gazillions in revenue every year.

----------

Is the banner add a coincidence? It might be spyware!

That looks more like a cookie. When you browse the MacRumors website, they have a cookie tracking your website browsing preferences, for example they tracked that you had been looking at audio/speaker websites just prior to browsing the MR page. So once you go to the MR site, they bomb your eyeballs with lots of Bose Speaker ads and such.

Not a true spyware. Just cookies/trackers remembering your web surfing choices. Just disable cookies in your browser if this really bothers you.
 
Nope none.

I have a Mac Book and use leopard - I do have a virus somewhere in my mac...:eek: First my internet programs both Firefox and Safari froze up - then I found a free demo called MacScan - it took care of the freeze up - now when I go to certain websites - and I think it is just random - I get redirected to a search engine.. that my friends is a virus...on a mac....

I am going to look for the best program to remove these from my computer - not very cool - funny thing, when you go to Apple - there is nothing there I can find on virus protection - I think nobody wants to admit it finally happened...:(

No virus, 100% none

Now malware, maybe but you would have to install it which sounds like you did
 
Safari is part of the OS and is not a stand alone program

I have used Macs since the early 90s and have never had a virus...
....until yesterday

lpcloudsvr304-has crashed Safari and I cant figure out how to get it back as it remains in a perpetual cycle of diverts disabling all safaris controls-any advice????

(and I cant uninstall safari-and the available antivirus software isnt detecting it)

Reset safari, then turn off any plugins or extensions save and reboot.

No virus, none unless you have the flu.
 
I have a Mac Book and use leopard - I do have a virus somewhere in my mac...:eek: First my internet programs both Firefox and Safari froze up - then I found a free demo called MacScan - it took care of the freeze up - now when I go to certain websites - and I think it is just random - I get redirected to a search engine.. that my friends is a virus...on a mac....

I am going to look for the best program to remove these from my computer - not very cool - funny thing, when you go to Apple - there is nothing there I can find on virus protection - I think nobody wants to admit it finally happened...:(

If nobody believes Macs get virus.....Nobody will have developed a removal tool!
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.