Why do we need Virex?

[Bigheadache]

That's what I'm asking about--what sort of viruslike behavior is it looking for? And would that behavior be the same on both platforms? I can see on Windows how this would work, but since the structure of the systems are so different and viruses on Windows take advantages of flaws that Mac OS doesn't have I"m wondering if a virus for Mac would look enough like one for Windows for the antivirus to catch.

Well I'm not a virus writer, but I imagine things like installing its own smtp to send emails, trying to open ports frequently used by worms, trying to bulk email everyone in your email addressbook, etc would trigger it. I don't know every trick used by virus writers!!! the structural differences shouldn't make a difference, and although I agree Macs tend to be a bit more secure and should restrict alot of things, no system is perfect. I think heuristics can be really useful (but not perfect) for "day zero" threats where there is no virus signature or patch available yet.

 

[BrianKonarsMac]

you need virex because you're foolish enough to open attachments that you have no idea what the contents are. if you can maintain your curiosity, you don't really need it. Mac's DO have viruses, they just aren't widespread or highly dangerous, and programmers have little motive to write a virus for such a small user base, other than to prove the nay sayers wrong that mac viruses DO IN FACT exist, you just need to be semi brain dead to get infected.

 

[rainman::|:|]

you need virex because you're foolish enough to open attachments that you have no idea what the contents are. if you can maintain your curiosity, you don't really need it. Mac's DO have viruses, they just aren't widespread or highly dangerous, and programmers have little motive to write a virus for such a small user base, other than to prove the nay sayers wrong that mac viruses DO IN FACT exist, you just need to be semi brain dead to get infected.

Prove it.

List all known OS X viruses.

Or, "put out or get out".

you can't list any, because there aren't any.

paul

 

[Horrortaxi]

things like installing its own smtp to send emails, trying to open ports frequently used by worms, trying to bulk email everyone in your email addressbook, etc would trigger it.

The virus would have to send commands to do these things, right? Miss Cleo doesn't just wish malice into a jpeg and send it on and make it work. The virus can try to do whatever it wants, but it would be a fish out of water on a Mac. You know how well fish can swim out of water.

 

[Timelessblur]

god you guys are cocky. There are viruses. You are acting like there never will be. It not a question of IF there will be a nasty wide spred virus like blaster. that hit macs. It a question of when. And what is going to be comical about is it going to uses some secerty hole that was patch 6-7 months before the virus came out. Lets face the facts most people do not bother maintain there computers with software updates. Most people are very very poor about software updates.

Fact is there are not many virus out for OSX for 2 reasons. First the OS really new compared to windows system. so they had what 3-4 years to virus to come up. Lets compare that to windows.... they are coming up on 10 years. Yeah XP is very diffent than 95 but still it close enough to to where a lot of the trick for virus that could hit win95 system can be used on an XP system. The other is raw numbers. THere plainly just more windows computers out there than Mac.

NO SYSTYEM IS FOOL PROOF. It used to be believe that windows computer dont need virus proctetion. We never put on our windows 95 sytem and it stayed virus free for more of it life. It was close to the end when it finally got a virus on it. But by then we areadly had another computer that stayed virus free. Now that computer is currently is running XP. The virus scaner has nailed about 10 virses in 4-5 years on that computer. It not a be problem unless you are on a network. Now my laptop last year was on a school network flooded with viruses. My virus scanner stop I thinking 5-7 in a year that is saw try to run. One a system scan it pick up 1. btw the 5-7 where pick up during the week that I had my firewall droped. So I dont know how baddly I would of been hit if it was not for my firewall but the virus scanner would of kept my computer clean.


Basicly my though on the mac Virse checker as it stands is you can go with out it if a home computer for now. But if it going to be hook into a network like at school it better damn well have one and a firewall because when the virus hits it going to flood school networks.

 

[Horrortaxi]

Huh huh huh...you said cock...

I've never in my life said that that there will never be a virus on OS X. I'm saying that current antivirus is worthless against future viruses and there are a limited amount of people that are in a situation where they need to run antivirus on their Mac. When we get a virus running through the Mac community I'll consider using antivirus. Until then I'm going to enjoy this nifty benefit of Mac ownership.

 

[Bigheadache]

The virus would have to send commands to do these things, right? Miss Cleo doesn't just wish malice into a jpeg and send it on and make it work. The virus can try to do whatever it wants, but it would be a fish out of water on a Mac. You know how well fish can swim out of water.

I meant heuristics would try to catch all viruses in general based on behaviour, not just specifically windows and pc viruses. Thats going to come in handy when that first big mac virus comes around. I'd love to think macs were perfect when it comes to security, but I'm a realist, not an Apple apologist.

 

[broken_keyboard]

Virus checker programs...I hate them. They are so invasive, with their stinkin' background processes and email program plugins.

If you have a program or attachment and you're not sure whether it is safe or not, then run it under another user account. Make a separate non-admin account and fast user-switch to it. If the prog turns out to be a virus, all it can do it wreck one empty home directory.

 

[Horrortaxi]

I meant heuristics would try to catch all viruses in general based on behaviour, not just specifically windows and pc viruses. Thats going to come in handy when that first big mac virus comes around. I'd love to think macs were perfect when it comes to security, but I'm a realist, not an Apple apologist.

Whose apologizing? I see now what you mean about heuristics. I'm still not convinced but I see the possibility. This is just one of those "only time will tell" deals.

 

[dav]

I don't even have a virus scanner for windows

*scratch head*