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

Who's using AntiVirus software

D

Dale124

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 31, 2008
60
0
Hi guys. I did a quick search on this site and found one thread that seemed to suggest most people here don't use an Antivirus. Is that the case?
Please weigh in on this one, as I would like to get a read on this issue. And if you do use an AntiVirus, which one?
Thanks.
Dale.
 
ggjstudios said:
There are only about a thousand threads on this. If you search the forums, you'll find all the opinions you can stand!
Click to expand...

Well I only had a look in the one that I mentioned. The reason I asked is that when I got this mac, I bought the "mac os x leopard for dummies" book, and the author strongly recommends an A/Virus. Just wanted to run it up the flagpole and see who salutes. I assume you do not.
 
Since "switching" several months ago, I've never used a third-party anti-virus, or spyware program, nor have I had any issues.
 
No No No

you do not need an anti virus because there are no known viruses for mac and antiviruses will just slow down your mac.On the otherhand, there are quite a few things, so just remember the basic rules, dont open email from unknown sources, dont download stuff from unknown sources...etc....


Hope this helps. :apple:
 
I use them

For my Macbook, I use McAfee. McAfee costs about 30-50 bucks. For my Windows partition in boot camp, I use AVG free (yes, it is free). With the combination of the two programs, I have had no real issues. I've been infected by viruses and spyware in the past when I didn't take precautions...better safe than sorry.
 
Ok, here goes:

You do not need AntiVirus software. You do not need AntiVirus software. You do not need AntiVirus software. You do not need AntiVirus software. You do not need AntiVirus software.

Hope this makes it clear. Yes, use antivirus software for windows (I've got viruses and trogans on Windows only in the past)...but NEVER on a mac. I've had my mac for 3 1/2 years with nothing and it works as good as the day I bought it.

You wouldn't get anything anyway, but if you want to be really careful, just do as Knackers said and don't download e-mail or programs from unknown sources.

If you still want to use antivirus software, go ahead but it's a complete waste of time. And if you're paying for antivirus on a Mac, you're throwing your money directly into the garbage. Put it this way, if there ever is a virus on a mac, your virus protection won't work anyway when it first comes out because the authors will have to patch it first.
 
Dale124 said:
Well I only had a look in the one that I mentioned. The reason I asked is that when I got this mac, I bought the "mac os x leopard for dummies" book, and the author strongly recommends an A/Virus. Just wanted to run it up the flagpole and see who salutes. I assume you do not.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I mean about so many threads on this issue. It seems there's one or more new threads on it every day, all with the same conclusion. Here's another one:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=6944844

Taking a page out of the "MacRumors: Forums for Dummies" book: search the forums!
 
DaftUnion said:
Ok, here goes:

You do not need AntiVirus software. You do not need AntiVirus software. You do not need AntiVirus software. You do not need AntiVirus software. You do not need AntiVirus software.
Click to expand...

Sometimes it's not that simple. I use in a Mac in a corporate environment that is predominantly Windoze. My IT support guys are adamant that, in 2009, they want to put some form of anti-V on this system because corporate policy states that all machines must have virus protection. (Corporate policy also states lots of other things re: not giving users administrative/root access, etc., by our IT guys have been exceptionally nice with me and let me do my own thing with this Mac.)

So, I'm staring at the reality that sometime this year I'll need to put something on, and everyone acknowledges that it will predominantly be done to protect Windoze users from getting Windoze viri passed along by me, the Mac user. It's silly, don't get me wrong, but corporate policy sometimes exists to protect the lowest common denominator.
 
ggjstudios said:
There are only about a thousand threads on this. If you search the forums, you'll find all the opinions you can stand!
Click to expand...

Actually add TWELVE-THOUSAND hits to that and more.
http://www.google.com/search?client...s site:forums.macrumors.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8


Some articles of interest

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 Unavoidable Malware Myth
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2008/...-apple-wont-inherit-microsofts-malware-crown/

Security in Snow Leopard
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/01/16/road_to_mac_os_x_snow_leopard_64_bit_security.html
 
The thing I don't like about iAntivirus is that it doesn't check for any Windows viruses. Since I work in a complete Windows environment, it'd be helpful to know that I'm not passing anything along with my Mac.
 
I use ClamXav because I run Boot Camp and want to make sure nothing sneaks on there. I do have NOD32 on Windows, but sometimes viruses will target antivirus apps specifically and prevent them from picking up on the fact that the system has been compromised. This is of particular concern since I use MacDrive and Windows viruses could potentially attack my Mac partitions as well. They wouldn't target ClamXav, so I like having the extra protection. It's also handy when downloading or sending Windows files. Just because you have the app installed doesn't mean you have to leave it running all the time, but it's nice to have on hand sometimes.
 
Jethryn Freyman said:
I had a look at it today - but couldn't find any way to turn off the automatic file quarantine. Is there a way to do this?

(And sorry about hijacking the thread :rolleyes:)
Click to expand...

I don't know, I never played with the settings a lot. I think it's designed to be a totally automatic thing. You may ask in their forum if you want.

Cromulent said:
Use ClamXav then.
Click to expand...

It's a mediocre windows av. It's only good as an on demand scanner, using it's folder sentry makes a notable slow down.

miamiracing said:
hmm thats why there are over 100 viruses out for mac :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Tallest Skil said:
Name just one. ONE.
Click to expand...

http://www.iantivirus.com/threats/ Total: 90
Remove the OS classic threats and the EICAR test file...
 
EmperorDarius said:
I
http://www.iantivirus.com/threats/ Total: 90
Remove the OS classic threats and the EICAR test file...
Click to expand...
That list is completely bogus! The list mostly consists of freeware applications which you would have to download and install, proof-of-concept applications which are not in the wild, iAntiVirus processes that it uses to detect threats, trojan horses that you would have to install, and malware threats that have no effect on current releases of Mac OS X. There is NOT ONE VIRUS on the list that exists in the wild that can affect Mac OS X.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back