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Do I Need Additional Security for MacBookPro?

Rosemarie44
Posts: 96 Forumite

in Techie Stuff
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 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
0
Comments
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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:0 -
Rosemarie44 wrote: »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=10 -
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 hair0 -
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/0 -
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/113780 -
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:0 -
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.0 -
Rosemarie44 wrote: »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.
Rosemarie440 -
Thank you to those of you who offered expert advice.0
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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...0
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