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which is the best anti-virus to get

How about Intego Virus Barriers X-4? Any experience?

I understand that Noton Anti Virus does not work on Tiger (OSX 10.4), and I just reviewed the writeup of Intego's Virus Barrier X-4 which has been updated for Tiger and it sounds terrific. Price at $69.95 is steep but the features, its simplicitly and speed are very appealing. Recent reports of virus's appearing on the Mac are a warning and the price for a first class protection which does not slow the computer is a small consideration. Question: have any of you tried this software and what is your conclusion?
 
More important than running antivirus software is to make sure your OS is up to date.
 
j26 said:
If anyone is booting into Windows do NOT use Norton - it's bloated, slow and annoying, and why have to pay for something when you can get better for free?

The best combo is AVG Free and Zone Alarm Firewall both free and they use less system resources.
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Exactly, AVG is by far one of the best anti-virus apps out there (even better because it's free). And Zone Alarm is great too, but only use it if you don't mind dealing with permission pop-ups every so often (happens the most when you first install), but for most people I'd suggest just using the Windows firewall instead. I know it doesn't deal with outbound traffic, but most people will get fed up with Zone Alarm asking them questions repeatedly and just turn the firewall off instead.

But in OS X, just practice basic security, enable the firewall, don't download strange attachments, etc. and you should be fine. Oh, and don't go looking around for pics of OS X Leopard. ;)
 
Experience using Intego Virus Barriers X-4

yellow said:
Here's a couple reasons not to use Intego's VirusBarrier:

http://daringfireball.net/2004/04/crying_wolf
http://www.jayallen.org/journey/2004/04/mp3concept_a_mac_mp3_virus_or_hoax
http://www.osopinion.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1161
http://www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,63000,00.html?tw=rss.TEK
And Intego's lame redirect..
http://www.intego.com/news/pr41.asp
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Thanks for your comments, but I note that these objections relate to an experience that happened almost 2 years ago. It is not unusual for software companies to get a little over active about their product. I would sure like to get a report about any recent experience with this product. Does it really have the simplicity and speed that it claims?
 
blodwyn said:
I suspect that minutes after a viable OS X virus surfaces, this forum will light up with posts. My anti-virus solution is to keep checking in to the MR forum.
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Yep, good strategy. After all, the scare last month originated from this site.
 
gjugger said:
Thanks for your comments, but I note that these objections relate to an experience that happened almost 2 years ago.
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That enough to sour me to them forever. I don't care for scare tactics and FUD to sell a product that isn't really needed in the first place.
 
Here are my two cents...

thegreatluke said:
People always talk about exploits like they're going to be exploited. ...... Many of these obscure exploits would be very hard to work into some form of malware.:]
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Many apple fanatics who fervently tout their machines claim the safety of macs from viruses is due to superiority of Mac OS X over Windows XP. I disagree. While superior coding of Mac OS may have contributed to relative absence of virus attacks, it will not deter outbreaks if the majority of households were to own a mac instead of a PC. The main reason for the prevalence of PC viruses today is due to dominance of PCs in the market. And the fact that Micro$oft's hodge podge of spaghetti codes that they call Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, XP...etc. renders them even more vulnerable to malicious codes. But to claim that PCs catch viruses because of the their poor operating system would be misconstruing the fact.

General rule of thumb is that if something can be exploited, it will. Yes, even a Mac. It's just a matter of time.

Thank God my days of PC-related problems will soon be over. I am in the process of becoming a Mac-user. It worries me, however, that Macs operating systems have undergone rapid changes in the recent years. I wonder how long it will be from now before I must purchase Mac OS X 10.5.x or beyond just to install and operate some of their new softwares... but that's another story altogether.
 
yellow said:
That enough to sour me to them forever. I don't care for scare tactics and FUD to sell a product that isn't really needed in the first place.
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Intego has various administrative problems. I've dealt with them because I bought NetBarrier during Mac OS 9.x. Their developers have done a good job, though.

If push comes to shove, I'd rather deal with them than Symantec and I'm not sure whether to trust McAfee and their monster that is the current Virex.
 
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