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What virus software should I get?
- Thread starter pwbk5
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The user knows if they're installing pirated software or software downloaded from a file-sharing site. A small dose of common sense will keep any user safe.
Augh seriously? What do you think people mean when they say virus? Its no different in Windows, its not the 90's anymore, people get infected by trojans all the time because they stupidly install every active-x plugin they come across and every free game download, a "real virus" is not worth the effort anymore. When people say "Im sick of viruses on windows" do you think they are constantly being infected by actual "viruses"? Theyre being infected by trojans and malware they cant get rid of because of poor judgement. Mac users are just as stupid as Windows users, they will install trojans as long as it comes with a plugin they need to watch something on a website or a free game of tetris from a banner ad they saw while looking at porn.
Virus is slang for trojans, worms, malware, etc. Youre going to have to get used to it, theyre like those crazy kids who call everything "cool" when infact its room temperature.
Virus is slang for trojans, worms, malware, etc. Youre going to have to get used to it, theyre like those crazy kids who call everything "cool" when infact its room temperature.
Thats exactly what antivirus programs do on windows, they detect trojans before they have a chance to be installed and then disable the setup file so the user cant try installing it again.
Installing AntiVirus software won't protect them from such activities. The point is, there is no AV software available to protect a Mac from viruses, because there ARE no viruses that run on Macs. As for trojans, no AV software will protect a Mac from a foolish user. So the point is, AV software is useless on a Mac.
And just because someone chooses to misuse a word doesn't change the definition of that word. A virus is NOT a trojan, regardless of what "kids" like to call them.
Yes they do, thats like their main purpose since there are so many trojans and so few, if any, viruses these days. If they see that there is a trojan or code that might be a trojan in the thing you want to install they wont let you install it. An antivirus program that doesnt protect against trojans is useless.
And its not helping anyone by saying "there arent any viruses on a mac" when virus is a socially accepted word for describing the group of things like virus/trojan/worm and harmful spyware/adware/etc that you cant get rid of by normal means. To the average person a trojan is a virus, and thats what they are asking for protection against.
I thought, to the average person, Trojan was a brand of condoms.
I wonder if the OP's question has been answered? I'm sure that arguing about viruses on the Mac isn't helping at all.
Latest WINDOWS worm / virus disables or changes installed antivirus products. They also use vulnerabilities in the windows or third party windows-based antivirus software to take over the machine.
For example Conficker.
My imaginary friend is better than your imaginary friend!!! =)
(Actually looks like either of us have imaginary friends, at least religious ones).
For example Conficker.
Now now.. there are billions of religious people out there..
My imaginary friend is better than your imaginary friend!!! =)
(Actually looks like either of us have imaginary friends, at least religious ones).
not an average person surely
i call trojans viruses (or is it viri) i dont bother with AV software on os x unless you are going to dodgy sites and downloading less than legal software music etc you are highly unlikely to run into a trojan on os x... if you are than frankly you deserve it for stealing
There is no need to install any of that kind of stuff on a non-Windows system. The virus problem is unique to Windows
(Notice I wrote virus problem is unique to Windows. While they might exist there is no problem with them so no reason to take action.)
I've never had a virus/trojan/malware/spyware/whatever you want to call it in 11 years of using macs and never used any kind of software to prevent it... Man, just know what youre installing on your machine and you don't have to worry about anything. Do you actually need a program to use your computer for you??
In any case, nothing like .exes exist on macs so nothing will autoexecute without you specifically knowing about it. I can guarantee you anyone who had the iWork "trojan" wasn't some innocent victim falling prey to a devious cyber attack. They knew exactly what they were doing by using shifty websites and shifty means of acquiring stuff.
You pretty much have to knowingly install harmful stuff with macs. So yes, there is a huge difference between viruses and trojans.
In any case, nothing like .exes exist on macs so nothing will autoexecute without you specifically knowing about it. I can guarantee you anyone who had the iWork "trojan" wasn't some innocent victim falling prey to a devious cyber attack. They knew exactly what they were doing by using shifty websites and shifty means of acquiring stuff.
You pretty much have to knowingly install harmful stuff with macs. So yes, there is a huge difference between viruses and trojans.
i've been a mac user for 6 years now and never installed AV software, you don't need it.
use your judgement and you'll be fine.
use your judgement and you'll be fine.
Its no different than on Windows. Viruses that install without any user interaction are a thing of the past, they come along every once in awhile but its not often. These days everything comes packaged with a browser plug-in or free software. People who know better dont have to worry about viruses on Windows even without antivirus installed, everything comes in trojan form now and its as easy as simply not installing things on strange websites.
Anyone who had problems with viruses on Windows and moved to Mac will not be any more protected against them if distributors started targeting macs through websites as well. Protecting yourself comes from being smart enough not to download crap you didnt ask for on the internet, having a Mac is not going to change that kind of impulsive behavior.
It would be nice if people's concern for antivirus was replaced with their concern for what they download on the internet, since thats the root of the problem. If the "you need antivirus" train of thought was replaced with thinking "never install anything you didnt ask for" instead then only server and network admins would have to worry about antivirus software. Unfortunately most people think nothing can be done about getting a virus (or trojan...).
If you want virus software, you bought the wrong computer. You should have bought a PC. Just connect it to the Internet, wait for a while and you get all the virus software that you could ever dream of.
Now if by any chance you wanted anti-virus software, there is no need to bother with that on a Macintosh.
How about if you are running Bootcamp and VM fusion and you download to OSX then transfer to windows.
My mac came with Norton already installed. Even though I said I would not use Norton again I kept it on because it doesn't seem to be slowing the machine down, unlike an old windows laptop my wife had which Norton killed.
Would people advise uninstalling it anyway ?
My mac came with Norton already installed. Even though I said I would not use Norton again I kept it on because it doesn't seem to be slowing the machine down, unlike an old windows laptop my wife had which Norton killed.
Would people advise uninstalling it anyway ?
Obviously, you don't need AntiVirus software for Mac OS X, but if you're running Windows, there are better options than Norton. I used Norton Internet Security, which includes Norton AntiVirus, for years, but got tired of paying for upgrades and subscriptions to virus definitions. I dumped Norton in favor of AVG, which is free, and found that I also had the same protection without the performance hit on Windows.
Sorry ,but while you have good protection with AVG it's not as good as Norton's. A check of Ant-virus/anti-malware testing sites will support my contention. Also the latest versions of Nortons run very light on windows. Here's an example:http://www.av-comparatives.org/home
Well, I left Norton years ago and never got a virus with AVG. In fact, I've never gotten a virus on any computer I've ever owned. Windows XP ran much faster with AVG vs NAV, but since I've switched to Mac, so I have no idea what the latest versions of NAV are like.... and I'm happy not to care!
What about malware/trojans? Is there any type of software to protect against these?
Or are they seriously not enough a concern to worry about?
I mean say I go to the same sights on both a Vista PC and my Mac Mini. Regardless of what I'm doing...playing games
looking at porn, downloading torrents, gambling, or simply browsing. (all those just examples of potential places to pick up bad stuff).
My Vista PC has Avast installed and My Mac has nothing.
Which is more susceptible to to being "infected" for lack of a better term. Keep in mind, I'm not entering the Password on my Mac for anything I didn't intentionally download.
Or are they seriously not enough a concern to worry about?
I mean say I go to the same sights on both a Vista PC and my Mac Mini. Regardless of what I'm doing...playing games
looking at porn, downloading torrents, gambling, or simply browsing. (all those just examples of potential places to pick up bad stuff).
My Vista PC has Avast installed and My Mac has nothing.
Which is more susceptible to to being "infected" for lack of a better term. Keep in mind, I'm not entering the Password on my Mac for anything I didn't intentionally download.
I have been on the internet with both PCs and Macs since 1995 with no anti virus software and have not had any problems.
Answering the questiong, not arguing the point!!!
I have AVAST on my Mac mini since I am always DLg a handfull of apps and movies (really who isn't!!) to use on a Acer running Vista (ughh...) and of course my Mac mini when running XP so I want the confidence of not FU#^* up the poor thing with aTrojan/Virus and so I run Avast scann the download and if it's good then transfer if it's bad then trash it!
That simple oh and the best part...Yep it's free!! You download the home edition (free) but once you do it will tell you that you have a certian time to try the DEMO (?!) after that [time expired] you can register the AV again for free!!! AVAST will send you via email a KEY that you can use for an extended amount of time.
I did and it gave me 14 months of FREE AV usage along with everything that the home edition (free) has, no limitations.
Hope I answered your question!!!
I have AVAST on my Mac mini since I am always DLg a handfull of apps and movies (really who isn't!!) to use on a Acer running Vista (ughh...) and of course my Mac mini when running XP so I want the confidence of not FU#^* up the poor thing with aTrojan/Virus and so I run Avast scann the download and if it's good then transfer if it's bad then trash it!
That simple oh and the best part...Yep it's free!! You download the home edition (free) but once you do it will tell you that you have a certian time to try the DEMO (?!) after that [time expired] you can register the AV again for free!!! AVAST will send you via email a KEY that you can use for an extended amount of time.
I did and it gave me 14 months of FREE AV usage along with everything that the home edition (free) has, no limitations.
Hope I answered your question!!!