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Do I Need Additional Security for MacBookPro?

Hi Techies,

I recently bought my first MacBookPro and am seeking your advice about using it in public places such as Starbucks, airports, etc. I use internet banking and therefore need to know if I should buy additional security protection. When I bought the Mac the salespeople did not even mention additional security but I don't want to take things for granted even though I know they are more secure than windows PCs. Your expert advice would be much appreciated.

Rosemarie44

Comments

  • trets77
    trets77 Posts: 2,886 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    OS X comes with a built in firewall . click System Preferences , then Sharing.

    i use purchased Doorstop firewall as it can be tweaked a bit tighter . and alerts me when thing want outside access ect

    as for Anti virus : check out the free one's linked here

    http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/free-anti-virus-software

    The PC tools one is that i use . works well in the background and does not slow things down . threats found in 2 years = Zero . they just don't write Malware and Virus' for Macs
    http://www.iantivirus.com/
    Better in my pocket than theirs :rotfl:
  • rhythmsoup
    rhythmsoup Posts: 78 Forumite
    edited 28 September 2010 at 10:45AM
    using it in public places such as Starbucks, airports, etc.

    Regardless of wether you are a PC or Mac user, if your accessing a public network it is possible to have your traffic "sniffed". Be vigilant about what networks you use and what details you pass across them. Heres a useful link, a bit old but still worth reading

    http://www.zdnet.com/news/hidden-dangers-of-free-public-wifi/149778

    Also a more recent article

    http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/042010-hot-spot.html?page=1
  • They are not 'more secure' it's just that no-one has bothered writing a virus for macs yet!
    I was born too late, into a world that doesn't care
    Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
  • cyberbob
    cyberbob Posts: 9,480 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    trets77 wrote: »
    The PC tools one is that i use . works well in the background and does not slow things down . threats found in 2 years = Zero . they just don't write Malware and Virus' for Macs
    http://www.iantivirus.com/
    Any software running in the background will slow a machine down even if it's not visibly slower. Anti virus is a waste of money for a mac. It's just money spent to slow your machine down. Viruses are incredibly rare as no one writes them for a mac. What's the point in protecting yourself from something that doesn't exist. A good firewall and a secure update browser and don't do anything stupid and you should have no problems.
  • Hammyman
    Hammyman Posts: 9,913 Forumite
    Viruses and trojans do exist for Mac OS X. Mac OS X is one of the first machines to be cracked in hacking contests. Exploits exist for the Mac versions of Safari and Firefox as well as several apps people install.

    http://www.securityfocus.com/brief/158

    http://www.securityfocus.com/news/11378
  • trets77
    trets77 Posts: 2,886 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    iamana1ias wrote: »
    They are not 'more secure' it's just that no-one has bothered writing a virus for macs yet!

    as easy to write the program maybe , but seeing as there are very few out there , means Macs are more secure .
    Better in my pocket than theirs :rotfl:
  • trets77 wrote: »
    as easy to write the program maybe , but seeing as there are very few out there , means Macs are more secure .

    Please don't confuse security with threat, they are two very different things. It's also worth bearing in mind that vulnerabilities exist in places other than the just the operating system itself.
  • Scrilla
    Scrilla Posts: 242 Forumite
    Hi Techies,

    I recently bought my first MacBookPro and am seeking your advice about using it in public places such as Starbucks, airports, etc. I use internet banking and therefore need to know if I should buy additional security protection. When I bought the Mac the salespeople did not even mention additional security but I don't want to take things for granted even though I know they are more secure than windows PCs. Your expert advice would be much appreciated.

    Rosemarie44
    I personally would never use public Wifi for things like internet banking, regardless of the operating system. If you absolutely have to, I would suggest using a VPN of some sort. I will have to leave it to other more knowledgable people as to which VPN you should go for. Viscosity is a recommended program for use with VPN on the Mac.
  • Thank you to those of you who offered expert advice.
  • tronator
    tronator Posts: 2,859 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Scrilla wrote: »
    I personally would never use public Wifi for things like internet banking, regardless of the operating system.

    Why? All banking sites use SSL, so all traffic between your laptop and the banking site is encrypted. It's a different matter if you use a public PC in an Internet cafe...
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